Nervous, looking for feedback please!!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Nervous, looking for feedback please!!
I am 26 years old and have been drinking solidly for the past 3 years. always in the evening, every single night. I used to be heavily into vodka and what not, but the past year has been (with random week long periods of abstinence with no symptoms) mainly a bottle of red wine every single night. I am at the point where I noticed, maybe 2 or so months ago, that spending a weekend away from alcohol resulted in the shakes and anxiety. It passed the next morning. I went back to my old ways after that but am now in a position of no return and have to quit.
I am extremely nervous about withdrawal symptoms--particularly seizures. As of this morning when I decided to quit once and for all, all the research/comments I've found say that if I quit cold turkey, chances are high that I wil experience seizures. To avoid this, I am going to try "tapering" rather than cold turkey-ing it. I was hungover most of the day and began feeling the shakes and borderline panic attack coming on around 5 PM. I decided to take 2 shots of gin (gross, I know. it was all that was leftover in my house. a remnant from the last "good idea" i had...). it sort of helped to calm me down, but not like I was hoping. It is now almost midnight, sleep is nowhere in sight (I only have to be up for work at 5 AM!) and think I am just BARELY starting to feel less anxious and twitchy/shaky. Knock on wood...
I guess my question is this: with my alcohol habits and duration of the habit, does anyone have insight or experience they can give me as to whether or not it could be safe to try cold turkey or should I stick to weaning myself? And please, please, don't recommend doctors and in-patient treatment. it is absolutely not an option for a plethora of reasons.
I appreciate you time!!
I am extremely nervous about withdrawal symptoms--particularly seizures. As of this morning when I decided to quit once and for all, all the research/comments I've found say that if I quit cold turkey, chances are high that I wil experience seizures. To avoid this, I am going to try "tapering" rather than cold turkey-ing it. I was hungover most of the day and began feeling the shakes and borderline panic attack coming on around 5 PM. I decided to take 2 shots of gin (gross, I know. it was all that was leftover in my house. a remnant from the last "good idea" i had...). it sort of helped to calm me down, but not like I was hoping. It is now almost midnight, sleep is nowhere in sight (I only have to be up for work at 5 AM!) and think I am just BARELY starting to feel less anxious and twitchy/shaky. Knock on wood...
I guess my question is this: with my alcohol habits and duration of the habit, does anyone have insight or experience they can give me as to whether or not it could be safe to try cold turkey or should I stick to weaning myself? And please, please, don't recommend doctors and in-patient treatment. it is absolutely not an option for a plethora of reasons.
I appreciate you time!!
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London
Posts: 39
Hi Junemuse,
We cannot offer any medical advice on here. Withdrawal is very difficult to anticipate as it varies from person to person. However, i can share my experience with you. It sounds like we were similar drinkers. I made many attempts to give up on my own, none of which were successful. I didn't find it particularly difficult to stop drinking, but i found it extremely difficult to stay stopped. I needed and still need a lot of outside help to stay stopped. If you are considering AA, ring the helpline and someone will be glad to chat to you i'm sure. Otherwise, look into setting up some therapy or suchlike.
Best of luck xxx
We cannot offer any medical advice on here. Withdrawal is very difficult to anticipate as it varies from person to person. However, i can share my experience with you. It sounds like we were similar drinkers. I made many attempts to give up on my own, none of which were successful. I didn't find it particularly difficult to stop drinking, but i found it extremely difficult to stay stopped. I needed and still need a lot of outside help to stay stopped. If you are considering AA, ring the helpline and someone will be glad to chat to you i'm sure. Otherwise, look into setting up some therapy or suchlike.
Best of luck xxx
Keeping it simple!
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Surrey, BC
Posts: 3,282
Withdrawal is different for everyone so it wouldn't hurt seeing a doctor.
I had a very hard time quitting on my own. I actually got a drug and alcohol counsellor and he sent me to daytox. I found this very helpful.
AA is also good, people there are very supportive. And this site is also really good!
I had a very hard time quitting on my own. I actually got a drug and alcohol counsellor and he sent me to daytox. I found this very helpful.
AA is also good, people there are very supportive. And this site is also really good!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,373
Hi Junemuse 
Like katysue said we can't give you medical advice here.
That's in your best interests
If you're worried about withdrawal, I think the best thing to do is see a Dr, and get yourself checked out.
That way you can set your mind at ease, and be safe as well
Sorry if that's not an answer that's acceptable to you, but I wouldn't be doing you any favours suggesting anything else.
D
Like katysue said we can't give you medical advice here.
That's in your best interests
If you're worried about withdrawal, I think the best thing to do is see a Dr, and get yourself checked out.
That way you can set your mind at ease, and be safe as well
Sorry if that's not an answer that's acceptable to you, but I wouldn't be doing you any favours suggesting anything else.
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
katysue
Thanks for the feedback! Given the reasons I choose to drink, I am unsure how difficult it will be for me to remain sober. It's not life stress-related, but started (and remained) as a quickie fix for an inability to sleep. I understand that it is probably still pretty ingrained in me as a behaviour or go-to. I guess we'll see.
I wish you luck on your journey! I also appreciate the therapy advise. That may end up being a wonderful source of support
Thanks for the feedback! Given the reasons I choose to drink, I am unsure how difficult it will be for me to remain sober. It's not life stress-related, but started (and remained) as a quickie fix for an inability to sleep. I understand that it is probably still pretty ingrained in me as a behaviour or go-to. I guess we'll see.
I wish you luck on your journey! I also appreciate the therapy advise. That may end up being a wonderful source of support
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nevada
Posts: 174
Everyone is different. If it gets bad than do the right thing and see a doctor and worry about the aftermath later. Alcohol detox can kill. It's better to feel shame than nothing at all. Sorry but a doctor is the safest bet.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,373
You may find this thread useful...it's harrowing reading in parts but if experiences is what you want, this is the place to start....
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html
D
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html
D
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