gerald2001

I have been drinking for 20+years about 100 units a week. I've tried to stop many times. This year I have had three attempts all relapses, best I've managed is 6 weeks sober. I am currently on my 4th attempt and I am 3 weeks sober at the moment.

The hardest part for me is the aftermath of stopping, my body and mind feel ill because they are so used to wanting alcohol. I get dizzy, cant sleep, get bad stomach and guts, my blood pressure drops so I'm feeling cold and I get very irritable and have a short fuse.

I never want to drink again.

Cheers G.

Dee74

Hi and welcome Gerald

If you feel poorly, it's a good idea to see a Dr if you can - sometimes detox can be tricky, no matter how many times you've done it before..

D

ChrissieB

Welcome Gerald well done on the 3 weeks, you need never drink again. I find taking it one day at a time is working beautifully for me, I go to AA and love the face 2 face support and love SR. There are a lot of good people here, who have gone through what you are going through and can offer good advice and support.

gerald2001

I went to hospital because I thought I was gonna die. The Doctor said I should go home and have a few beers and reduce my intake slowly over a few days. I told him I had quit drinking so he said I had to put up with the withdrawals then. I asked for some Librium to detox with and he said no because he didn't want to replace one drug with another addicting one.

So I am currently battling through this.

G

PurpleKnight

Hey Gerald, welcome to the Forum!!

I'd get a second opinion, if the withdrawals are bad, you need something to get you through it, other than a few beers. 100 units a week over 20yrs sounds to me like detoxing cold turkey could be dangerous!

Great decision to be sober, you'll find plenty support here!!

Hevyn

I'm very glad to meet you Gerald - you found a wonderful place. We all know the feelings you're having right now. I hope you'll stay with us and keep posting - it helps relieve the anxiety to know others understand.

gerald2001

Thanks guys for the support so quick. I will try to keep you up to date with my progress.

G

Borrachon

Good luck Gerald. And what's a unit?

KateL

Welcome Gerald. It does get better xxx

Straightshoot

I being in the U.S. was curious. I found this:


A UK unit is 10ml of pure alcohol. On average, healthy adult bodies can break down 10ml of alcohol in an hour. The time it takes a person to process the alcohol in their system obviously varies from person to person depending on their body size.

The alcohol content in drinks is also expressed as a percentage of the whole drink. If you look at the label of a bottle of wine or a can of lager you will see either a percentage, followed by the abbreviation "ABV" which stands for Alcohol By Volume, or sometimes just the word "vol". So, a bottle of wine that says "12% ABV" on its label contains 12% pure alcohol.

To work out the units in a drink, you need to know its volume in millilitres and its %ABV strength. To find the units, multiply the volume (in millilitres) by %ABV then divide the result by 1,000.

For example, if you're drinking a 250ml glass of wine which is 12% ABV (250 x 12 ÷ 1,000) = 3 units.

Alternatively, simply use our unit calculator!

- See more at: Here's a tip - focus on your tipple | Drink Smarter

BillinSaratoga

Gerald - great decision and this time you can do it! I've tried several times myself only to sneak back thinking I'm fooling friends family and even myself. Stick with it, I'm no medical expert or anything but 2nd opinion may be good idea. The mental part is hard but the medical issues can be dangerous. Welcome to SR, great support here.

hypochondriac

Welcome to SR Gerald

I am assuming you are in the UK because of the unit discussion, in which case I would definitely get a second opinion regarding detox, preferably from an agency which deals with that in your area. They will have specialist doctors and nurses. Sometimes the NHS doctors have little experience with alcohol issues. Even if you are still sober at this point and doing okay it will be worthwhile seeing what is in your area for support anyway. A google search ought to come up with something or phone drinkline.

Really glad you are here anyway, SR is an amazing place for support x

huntingtontx

Hi Gerald, oI am so glad you are here. Three weeks are great. The hardest part is behind you in my opinion. Just my opinion, I am not a doctor. Be kind to yourself, someone told me to take care of myself like I have a cold or flu till I feel better. Good advice. I to quit after drinking a lot for a long time. It can be done. I am doing it one day at a time. I come here often and I love our meetings on Tuesday and Friday nights. They really help me a lot. I also post on the 24 hour post, where you pledge not to drink for the next twenty four hours. It is working for me. I am looking forward to getting to know you. Fantastic on three weeks.

PurpleKnight

Yeah units used to haunt me, I'd count them up over weeks/months and cringe, the UK has a maximum guideline of 2-3 units per day for women and 3-4 units per day for men!!

DrinkAware are tasked with the promotion of safe drinking and they have a Calculator on their website.

Gerald I'd get the first appointment available for your GP, they'll be more understanding than a Hospital/A&E!!

least

to SR! I'm glad you found us and joined the family.

heath480

Welcome to SR Gerlald.

Please get some medical advice,withdrawing from Alcohol is dangerous.Doing it cold turkey is not the way to go about it.