Extreme agitation in someone trying to stop drinking

Old 08-28-2007, 07:19 PM
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Exclamation Extreme agitation in someone trying to stop drinking

Is it common for a person who is trying to stop drinking to become extremely emotionally agitated? If so, what can be done about it? Anything??
My husband is desperately trying to stop drinking, and last night he was awake all night long. He was in a good mood this morning, just a little tired...I went to work. I didn't call him all day hoping he'd fall asleep. When I got home he was really freaking out and emotional, he was flipping out - I didn't know what to do. I know he'd been up for about 36 hours, he was exhausted, but he was so agitated he couldn't go to sleep....so he got some beer. He just wants to sleep.
Have any of you gone through this, and if so, what is the solution?
His doctor is helping him, and he prescribed xanax for anxiety, which my husband took before I got home. He was way beyond xanax helping him.
After drinking a few beers he has calmed down but I am still very worried about this. Help??!!?? Thank you!
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Old 08-28-2007, 07:25 PM
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My AH experiences this also, it's pretty normal withdrawal symptoms and there can be serious health consequences which is why detox is recommended.
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Old 08-28-2007, 07:34 PM
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The sleep thing is apparently significant. My AH had problems with it when he quit. And that was what he said he was dreading the most. He took Benadryl. I'm not suggesting that for anyone, it's just what he takes when he can't sleep. But a month later and he's much better. So hopefully your AH will have fewer troubles the more he lays off the booze. Xanax is a benzo, right? If I recall correctly, benzos are addictive. I have a prescription for Klonopin, which is a benzo. Does his doctor know he is an alcoholic?

Anyway, if I was having trouble going to sleep, my doctor gave me the option to either take my Klonopin before bed, or to take a sleep med (which I hated because it knocked me out too hard and too fast), or to take Benadryl (which is not addictive). I liked the Benadryl the best.
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Old 08-28-2007, 08:05 PM
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xanax is a drug used for panic attacks/anxiety. I don't know what kind of drug it is, and yes, it is addictive. The doctor does know he's an alcoholic who is trying to quit, he only gave him a small amount of xanax - only to use when he absolutely needs it.
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Old 08-28-2007, 08:11 PM
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yes, xanax is a benzo and is highly addictive. is he drinking while taking the xanax? that sounds like it would cause some extra problems.
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Old 08-29-2007, 02:25 AM
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ANY benzo typically used during detox is potentially addictive but when weighed against the possible catastrophic events related to stopping alcohol, is a very lesser evil.
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Old 08-29-2007, 04:54 AM
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Well getting beer to solve the problem really is like adding gas to fire.

I've never been a fan of giving out one drug to slay another.
Is he going to AA?
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Old 08-29-2007, 07:04 AM
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aGrandma, does your husband's doctor know that he is an alcoholic? The only way this "agitation" will stop is for your husband to spend substantial time away from alcohol and other mind altering substances. Perhaps he should be de-toxing under a doctor's care. I think that I've read in some of your previous posts that there is an underlying "pain" issue with your husband...is there any way you could find some alternative treatments to deal with it? One of my friends was once addicted to vicodin due to a back injury. She began doing stretching exercises and yoga and they helped her immensely. At any rate, his doctor needs as much information as possible and if you think he's doing a poor job with your husband, you need to find another doc. I wish you the best.

Oops...I see that the doctor does know your husband is an alcoholic. Maybe it's time for a different doc...
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Old 08-29-2007, 07:40 AM
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Alcohol detox should be done under MEDICAL SUPERVISION!!!
Alcoholics who go through Delirium Tremens can die!
Warning symptoms would be severe agitation, hallucinations, profuse sweating, confusion, seizures, profound hypertension
for more info..
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic524.htm
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Old 08-29-2007, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Christian View Post
Well getting beer to solve the problem really is like adding gas to fire.

I've never been a fan of giving out one drug to slay another.
Is he going to AA?
yes theoretically, but if a little beer prevents an intracranial bleed, it is much better.
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Old 08-29-2007, 12:21 PM
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the best bet is someone experienced in addiction medicine. many non specialists have little knowledge in dealing with addiction
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Old 08-29-2007, 06:23 PM
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I know you guys mean well. Maybe I didn't explain well enough. His m.d. does know he's an alcoholic, and he did prescribe the xanax, and my ah is not abusing the xanax - he's only taken one when absolutely necessary. And the doctor has only given him a few. He told us that he doesn't want to exchange one addiction for the other.
Yes my AH does have pain issues. This doctor just found a drug that works GREAT for his pain. That is the ONLY way he could even CONSIDER stopping the alcohol. His pain is gone for the first time in 18 years. He is so thrilled with the pain relief. The doctor is monitoring him closely.
We may end up having him go to a hospital in the end but he wants to try by himself for a few days first.
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Old 08-29-2007, 06:28 PM
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I so glad you've found something to give him pain relief! That is a blessing all on its own.
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Old 08-29-2007, 06:49 PM
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Yes, it's a withdrawal symptom. It won't last forever. It's like quitting anything. We get agitated because our crutch is now gone and we don't know what to lean on.
He needs some coping skills.
Is he in AA?
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Old 08-29-2007, 06:51 PM
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No he's not in AA. I don't think he'd ever go.
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Old 08-29-2007, 07:52 PM
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I feel from your posts this has been hard on you yet, you are very compassionate, caring and loving to your husband. It's nice, but how about you? Are you doing ok through all of this? It must be hard, I hope you have time to take care of you too. And hope your husband improves.((((hugs to you))))
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Old 09-02-2007, 12:47 PM
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Thanks for all your kind posts. I appreciate them all.
It's been several days since I posted this originally. My AH is doing much better now. He is weaning off the alcohol slowly rather than cold turkey, and he is not suffering the bad anxiety. He is actually doing very well - drinking less than half what he was drinking, and feeling better too.
I know some of you don't agree with this concept, but I saw it work with two people I know well. They quit drinking - one stopped completely and the other drinks only very occassionally now, and it is never a problem for him. I am hoping my ah can do the same. He is trying very hard.
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Old 09-02-2007, 02:45 PM
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Psychosis

Some people can become psychotic when detoxing. This is why trying to come off alcohol at home without supervision can be very dangerous. Better go to a clinic. It's very encouraging that he wants to quit so badly!
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