Nikkipoo

I have only been a member of SR for a very short time (Mar 8). I have been reading the posts to Newcomers to Recovery and commenting here and there. I haven't seen anyone address the dangers involved with detoxing on your own!
My doctor told me about what can happen to you if you do this as an outpatient without the help of prescription drugs. You can have seizures, stroke, heart failure etc. AND that with each relaspse, the brain can be damaged further.
He put me on Librium for a week, so this wouldn'tt happen to me. I did have some side effects ( uncomfortable driving, uncoordinated, very emotional etc.), but I didn't have convulsions, shakes, headaches, SEIZURES OR HEART FAILURE either! Maybe this is the sort of thing you learn at AA meetings? I just dont want anyone to just STOP drinking without realizing the physical consequences to your body and that there is risk in detoxing alone without help.
I prayer that I never have to go through that first week again! I know that cost of prescriptions may keep some from trying this method, but I think financial help is out there too. Your thoughts please!

suki44883

Not sure why you haven't seen it. It is discussed here almost every day. Anytime anyone mentions trying to detox, several of us warn them of the dangers. Maybe that's mostly in the Alcoholism forum, but I know for a fact that it is addressed pretty much on a daily basis around here.

LaFemme

Might not be a bad idea to have it as a sticky...bu Suki is 100% right...it's talked about non-stop around here.

Anna

I agree, I'm not sure why you haven't seen it.

I think, every single day, we warn people to talk to their dr before they detox or if they have any medical questions.

Supercrew

It is addressed here quite often, but I wish it was address in alcohol commercials, then I would have known the first time I was going through a detox and didn't know what the hell was happening.

I'm pretty sure the alcohol companies wouldn't go for it though.

Dee74

It's a regular feature around here Nikki

For myself, I had a bad detox experience myself because I did not get help, so I make a point of passing that message on

D

Justfor1

I could not have survived without a in the hospital type detox. I was on Librium/Ativan and was still seeing spiders that weren't there. I was drinking bottles of Vodka and mouthwash/rubbing alcohol though. I still suffer the mental effects.

Nikkipoo

Thanks everyone for your comments regarding detox warnings. I guess I just havent seen them. I dont check in everyday. Plus, my biggest problem is that this site is overwhelming to me. I dont know where I am in it half the time. Is there a "Navigating SB for Idiots"?

LexieCat

The warnings tend to come up when someone posts asking for advice about detoxing or wondering how to start quitting drinking, especially when they have been drinking a lot.

There is also information about detoxing in this sticky on the Alcoholism Forum.

Dee74

Takes a little while for most of us, but you'll find your way around eventually NP...any questions, just ask

D