How long was your withdrawal?
How long was your withdrawal?
Sadly, I relapsed over vacation. I went to the ER today, and they did fluids and gave me Ativan to help alleviate some the shakes.
They told me I would likely feel worse tomorrow. (Last drink was last night at 8 pm, so it will be 24 hours tonight.)
I remember feeling remarkably better on Day 2, but now am worried that I might be in trouble.
What has other people's experience been?
They told me I would likely feel worse tomorrow. (Last drink was last night at 8 pm, so it will be 24 hours tonight.)
I remember feeling remarkably better on Day 2, but now am worried that I might be in trouble.
What has other people's experience been?
Days 2-4 were usually the worst for me. Glad you saw a doctor, each subsequent withdrawal can always be worse, so your experience in the past may not be all that relevant.
It may be too early, but have you looked back at what led up to your drinking and how you might change things moving forward?
It may be too early, but have you looked back at what led up to your drinking and how you might change things moving forward?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Gatineau, QC, CA
Posts: 5,100
Mine increased to the point that I finally realizes I can't ever go back. Scott is right, withdrawal can be different every time and for everyone.
Glad you went to the ER. What they prescribed you should help. Take as instructed, to the letter. Good luck and well done!
Glad you went to the ER. What they prescribed you should help. Take as instructed, to the letter. Good luck and well done!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 52
Days 2-4 were usually the worst for me. Glad you saw a doctor, each subsequent withdrawal can always be worse, so your experience in the past may not be all that relevant.
It may be too early, but have you looked back at what led up to your drinking and how you might change things moving forward?
It may be too early, but have you looked back at what led up to your drinking and how you might change things moving forward?
The important point with a relapse is, in my opinion, not to feel OK with it. It was not at all OK.
Rather, it is an opportunity to examine the circumstances that surrounded it and, if at all possible, work hard to avoid them in the future.
Many people will say that they don't know what happened. It came out of the blue. That's possible, I guess, but most often not the reality.
Identifying triggers is really important when trying to achieve lasting sobriety.
Definitely. Listen to your doctors advice and take the meds as prescribed. Call or go back if you feel things are getting worse or out of control.
Lots if fluids and rest never hurts either. This could be your last withdrawal if you want it to be.
Lots if fluids and rest never hurts either. This could be your last withdrawal if you want it to be.
My acute withdrawal was about three days.
Whenever I think of my withdrawals, I have to explain: Day one was no different than any other day. The first day after my after my last drink was the exact same way I felt every other day at work or at home on weekends. The only difference was that I was not going to cure the hangover by drinking that night. I guess this means I had gone into daily withdrawals so my day 1 was nothing memorable, it was just the last day of feeling like I might have a heart attack at any moment.
Day two was 50 percent better than day 1. Day 3 was 25 percent better than day two. It took about six weeks to get the other 25 percent to feeling what I remember a normal person feeling like.
I drank every day, 12-14 standard units of alcohol. I probably should have had some medical assistance but I was sooooooo hungover and weak I found it pretty easy to just lie on the couch and act like I had the flu. I felt like I had a free three-day head start because I was so sick, drinking never even crossed my mind. There were times when I was aware that my blood pressue and/or pulse were high but nothing too worrisome. I feel like some sort of medication from the doctor would have helped tremendously to sleep and feel more at peace. I don't believe I was every in any sort of danger zone.
Yeah, the first three days were rough but just think, you only have to go through them once.
Whenever I think of my withdrawals, I have to explain: Day one was no different than any other day. The first day after my after my last drink was the exact same way I felt every other day at work or at home on weekends. The only difference was that I was not going to cure the hangover by drinking that night. I guess this means I had gone into daily withdrawals so my day 1 was nothing memorable, it was just the last day of feeling like I might have a heart attack at any moment.
Day two was 50 percent better than day 1. Day 3 was 25 percent better than day two. It took about six weeks to get the other 25 percent to feeling what I remember a normal person feeling like.
I drank every day, 12-14 standard units of alcohol. I probably should have had some medical assistance but I was sooooooo hungover and weak I found it pretty easy to just lie on the couch and act like I had the flu. I felt like I had a free three-day head start because I was so sick, drinking never even crossed my mind. There were times when I was aware that my blood pressue and/or pulse were high but nothing too worrisome. I feel like some sort of medication from the doctor would have helped tremendously to sleep and feel more at peace. I don't believe I was every in any sort of danger zone.
Yeah, the first three days were rough but just think, you only have to go through them once.
Did the ER Dr. prescribe enough Ativan to get you through 5 days of withdrawal? Did the Dr. also put you on a taper schedule which reduces the doses each day so your not going cold turkey on the Ativan? Ativan is pretty strong stuff, you should be comfortable it will make you sleep better through this detox. Go see your own Dr. if you still feel bad. By day 5-6 I was feeling much better after my last binge. Take care, drink plenty of fluids.
Thanks everyone, for the replies. They prescribed Ativan, but I didn't take it. Went to the gym early yesterday morning, and that alleviated the anxiety.
Doing well, and back on the wagon. I appreciate coming back here. It is shameful, the relapse. But delving deep back into my tool box.
Doing well, and back on the wagon. I appreciate coming back here. It is shameful, the relapse. But delving deep back into my tool box.
Good luck to you. Hang in there. Once we are over it, we never have to go back. Hope your doctor can help you, and be strong. Rooting for you.
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 193
Days 2-4 were usually the worst for me. Glad you saw a doctor, each subsequent withdrawal can always be worse, so your experience in the past may not be all that relevant.
It may be too early, but have you looked back at what led up to your drinking and how you might change things moving forward?
It may be too early, but have you looked back at what led up to your drinking and how you might change things moving forward?
Hope you feel better soon.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: london, uk
Posts: 53
Sadly, I relapsed over vacation. I went to the ER today, and they did fluids and gave me Ativan to help alleviate some the shakes.
They told me I would likely feel worse tomorrow. (Last drink was last night at 8 pm, so it will be 24 hours tonight.)
I remember feeling remarkably better on Day 2, but now am worried that I might be in trouble.
What has other people's experience been?
They told me I would likely feel worse tomorrow. (Last drink was last night at 8 pm, so it will be 24 hours tonight.)
I remember feeling remarkably better on Day 2, but now am worried that I might be in trouble.
What has other people's experience been?
Saturday; still a bit drunk, then into severe anxiety, nausea, shaking and lethargy
Sunday; Sweats, sweats and more sweats, depression, shaking, anxiety, cramps, upset stomach, stiffness, lethargy
Monday;day sweats gone, night sweats still awful, had to get up and change
myself/the bed/put towels down about 6 times, no anxiety, slightly less depressed nausea, cramps, itching, extreme lethargy
Tuesday; Very slight night sweats, worst migraine of my life, upset stomach a little more energy, actually managed to go out briefly, a little solemn in mood
Weds; Slight headache, renewed optimism and a sense of being "cleansed" more energy than any other day and no sweats at all
today (thurs); have just woken up with a metallic taste in my mouth, feel a little spaced, but this could be a blood sugar thing... besides that not much to report
Through all this i haven't had 1/3 of my usual appetite and have lost like 4kg, so happy days
I also drank an indecent amount of water and pretty much slept the entire time and took a whole host of vitamins, i think this helped exponentially
Long story short, I'd say 5 days or 6 for me x
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