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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 1
New to this group
Hello everyone,
I am roughly 43 hours from my last drink. Experiencing high levels of anxiety. The first day was pretty bad. Went to the ER at around 19 hours, got an IV, pumped full of benzo’s and had my blood checked. They released me with a pack of benzo’s with the option to stay in the hospital for inpatient therapy.
I chose to to go home. Slept a ton. I’m worried what the next day is going to look like. Barely holding it together right now with the highest dose of benzo’s. Tomorrow there will be less meds to help get through this. I’ll be at 48 hours at midnight my time. I’ll have one more dose before the 48 hour mark. Any advice on 48-72 hours and what that felt like for any of you?
I am roughly 43 hours from my last drink. Experiencing high levels of anxiety. The first day was pretty bad. Went to the ER at around 19 hours, got an IV, pumped full of benzo’s and had my blood checked. They released me with a pack of benzo’s with the option to stay in the hospital for inpatient therapy.
I chose to to go home. Slept a ton. I’m worried what the next day is going to look like. Barely holding it together right now with the highest dose of benzo’s. Tomorrow there will be less meds to help get through this. I’ll be at 48 hours at midnight my time. I’ll have one more dose before the 48 hour mark. Any advice on 48-72 hours and what that felt like for any of you?
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,431
Hi 1989
I didn't have benzoes so I'm not sure my experience applies. I remember the first few days being the worst and things getting little better after that.
Eat well, stay hydrated and get some rest and everything else should follow
I'm glad you found us
D
I didn't have benzoes so I'm not sure my experience applies. I remember the first few days being the worst and things getting little better after that.
Eat well, stay hydrated and get some rest and everything else should follow
I'm glad you found us
D
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,872
Hello and welcome 1989, it's great to have you here. You've found a great place for support.
I went through withdrawal so many times I can't remember them all.
Alone. In bed. Full of anxiety, fear and regret.
I never went to the hospital, but that was a very smart move on your part.
As I remember, the fourth day things cleared up and I felt semi=normal, as normal as a chronic alcoholic can feel any way, and I could function again.
I haven't had a drink in over ten years, so the memories aren't that clear.
I just remember the living hell of it all.
Someone will be along with more pertinent information than I can offer.
But good for you for getting sober. And remember, you never have to go through this again.
Best to you, and take care.
I went through withdrawal so many times I can't remember them all.
Alone. In bed. Full of anxiety, fear and regret.
I never went to the hospital, but that was a very smart move on your part.
As I remember, the fourth day things cleared up and I felt semi=normal, as normal as a chronic alcoholic can feel any way, and I could function again.
I haven't had a drink in over ten years, so the memories aren't that clear.
I just remember the living hell of it all.
Someone will be along with more pertinent information than I can offer.
But good for you for getting sober. And remember, you never have to go through this again.
Best to you, and take care.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,776
Welcome to the family. I found the first few days to be the worst. The overwhelming anxiety eased up after a few days and I started to feel better.
Benzos in withdrawal are usually only prescribed for a few days, just to get you over that anxiety and reduce the risk of seizures. At two days, you're right in the middle of the w/d so hang on and do anything you can to get thru it - but don't drink!
I hope you can get thru this rough patch and come out sober on the other side.
I found the first few days to be the worst. The overwhelming anxiety eased up after a few days and I started to feel better. Benzos in withdrawal are usually only prescribed for a few days, just to get you over that anxiety and reduce the risk of seizures. At two days, you're right in the middle of the w/d so hang on and do anything you can to get thru it - but don't drink!
I hope you can get thru this rough patch and come out sober on the other side.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 268
I have been in the ER several times over the years while withdrawing. Usually I just needed an IV and some ativan. I couldn't keep down water without vomiting so was dehydrated. Expect a few days of high anxiety, trouble sleeping, maybe sweating, shaky hands etc.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,066
You're doing great--just be sure to follow instructions on the benzos.
I found AA meetings to be very helpful in early recovery.
Here's a couple good threads to join here at SoberRecovery:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...art-441-a.html (24 Hour Recovery Connections Part 441)
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ml#post7173051
I found AA meetings to be very helpful in early recovery.
Here's a couple good threads to join here at SoberRecovery:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...art-441-a.html (24 Hour Recovery Connections Part 441)
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ml#post7173051
No Dogma Please
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,562
I had a medically supervised withdrawal that included a benzo taper. I had to do this in an inpatient setting. We tried a self-administered taper and it was a disaster, I ate all the benzos and kept drinking. Yay me...addiction really has no friend in rational behavior.
Take them EXACTLY as prescribed. Trust me, they're helping you a ton with the withdrawal. Benzo assisted withdrawal was FAR easier for me than trying to do it cold turkey, and cold turkey might well have killed me.
My memory of that time is thankfully very fuzzy. I could talk relatively normally after about 2 days, walking took almost 5 weeks. Once I could eat my gastritis began to heal. I started to begin to feel human (as opposed to a wounded wild animal) at about 2 weeks. I was drinking 5-8 bottles of wine a day around the clock and taking Lunesta (sleep med, benzo relative) along with it which had to be tapered along with the alcohol. Everyone is different, but people are saying 4-5 days and that feels about right.
Keep it up. The WD is tough, but totally worth it. And keep checking in please.
Take them EXACTLY as prescribed. Trust me, they're helping you a ton with the withdrawal. Benzo assisted withdrawal was FAR easier for me than trying to do it cold turkey, and cold turkey might well have killed me.
My memory of that time is thankfully very fuzzy. I could talk relatively normally after about 2 days, walking took almost 5 weeks. Once I could eat my gastritis began to heal. I started to begin to feel human (as opposed to a wounded wild animal) at about 2 weeks. I was drinking 5-8 bottles of wine a day around the clock and taking Lunesta (sleep med, benzo relative) along with it which had to be tapered along with the alcohol. Everyone is different, but people are saying 4-5 days and that feels about right.
Keep it up. The WD is tough, but totally worth it. And keep checking in please.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
I'm glad you're here...
The early days are rough.... but grab onto EVERY lifeline and EVERY piece of support you've got, dig in, do the work, stick through it....
IT WILL GET BETTER.
So much better, you won't even believe it.
The early days are rough.... but grab onto EVERY lifeline and EVERY piece of support you've got, dig in, do the work, stick through it....
IT WILL GET BETTER.
So much better, you won't even believe it.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 245
Originally Posted by 1989 
Hello everyone,
I am roughly 43 hours from my last drink. Experiencing high levels of anxiety. The first day was pretty bad. Went to the ER at around 19 hours, got an IV, pumped full of benzo’s and had my blood checked. They released me with a pack of benzo’s with the option to stay in the hospital for inpatient therapy.
I chose to to go home. Slept a ton. I’m worried what the next day is going to look like. Barely holding it together right now with the highest dose of benzo’s. Tomorrow there will be less meds to help get through this. I’ll be at 48 hours at midnight my time. I’ll have one more dose before the 48 hour mark. Any advice on 48-72 hours and what that felt like for any of you?
I am roughly 43 hours from my last drink. Experiencing high levels of anxiety. The first day was pretty bad. Went to the ER at around 19 hours, got an IV, pumped full of benzo’s and had my blood checked. They released me with a pack of benzo’s with the option to stay in the hospital for inpatient therapy.
I chose to to go home. Slept a ton. I’m worried what the next day is going to look like. Barely holding it together right now with the highest dose of benzo’s. Tomorrow there will be less meds to help get through this. I’ll be at 48 hours at midnight my time. I’ll have one more dose before the 48 hour mark. Any advice on 48-72 hours and what that felt like for any of you?
Regarding the anxiety, hang in there. It will go away. Seriously, it does.
The opposite of addiction is connection.
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 373
Originally Posted by Canuck76
I have been in the ER several times over the years while withdrawing. Usually I just needed an IV and some ativan. I couldn't keep down water without vomiting so was dehydrated. Expect a few days of high anxiety, trouble sleeping, maybe sweating, shaky hands etc.
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