withdrawal symptoms?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IL
Posts: 48
withdrawal symptoms?
I just have a question. My 23 yr old son is an alcoholic and has been drinking a fifth of vodka a day for some time. He pretty much drinks until he passes out...sometimes on the floor or wherever. When he comes home for the weekend, I won't allow him to drink in our home so he shakes nonstop, especially his hands and sweats. Is this withdrawal or signs of liver damage or other health issue? It breaks my heart to see him this way and I am so fearful of him dying but he won't listen to anyone and continues to destroy his life.
I just wanted opinions from those who may have been in his shoes.
I just wanted opinions from those who may have been in his shoes.
We can't really give any medical advice, but I can speak from experience that I shook constantly, had heart palpitations, and panic attacks when I stopped drinking/using drugs.
I would advise you get him to see a doctor. It really is starting to sound like physical dependency at this point. It is NOT something to be played around with. Bad things (including death) can happen.
I would advise you get him to see a doctor. It really is starting to sound like physical dependency at this point. It is NOT something to be played around with. Bad things (including death) can happen.
Welcome devistated -
As a mom (and recovering alcoholic) myself, I can only imagine what you're going through. You might want to google alcohol withdrawal symptoms..... it wouldn't be a bad idea to have some knowledge of them in case your son needs emergency medical help while he is with you. Withdrawing from that kind of drinking would be dangerous.
I would also encourage you to get support for yourself - it's so hard to deal with things like this alone. Alanon has meetings in most areas and there is a Family/Friends forum here as well:
Friends and Family of Alcoholics - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
Prayers going out to you....:ghug3
As a mom (and recovering alcoholic) myself, I can only imagine what you're going through. You might want to google alcohol withdrawal symptoms..... it wouldn't be a bad idea to have some knowledge of them in case your son needs emergency medical help while he is with you. Withdrawing from that kind of drinking would be dangerous.
I would also encourage you to get support for yourself - it's so hard to deal with things like this alone. Alanon has meetings in most areas and there is a Family/Friends forum here as well:
Friends and Family of Alcoholics - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
Prayers going out to you....:ghug3
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cleveland Ohio
Posts: 133
devastated1
You have been posting on this board since 9/12/2012
You have stated approx 12 / 14 threads. Do you really think the answers are going to change?????????????????????....................... ..Look honey, here's the real deal. Your son's an alcoholic and he's killing himself, tearing the family apart, and leaving nothing but havoc in his wake. He has 3 choices.
1 Total complete abstinence (Sobriety)
2 Insanity / Penitentiary
3 Death
Now you can post on a message board until the cows come home, but that will never change. Your kid is de-toxing when he shakes. Don't try this at home alone. It should only be done under medical supervision. And if you ever believed anything, believe what you will read next.....................You lightening his burdens is NOT going to help him. Get him into a hospital and then to a rehab.
You have been posting on this board since 9/12/2012
You have stated approx 12 / 14 threads. Do you really think the answers are going to change?????????????????????....................... ..Look honey, here's the real deal. Your son's an alcoholic and he's killing himself, tearing the family apart, and leaving nothing but havoc in his wake. He has 3 choices.
1 Total complete abstinence (Sobriety)
2 Insanity / Penitentiary
3 Death
Now you can post on a message board until the cows come home, but that will never change. Your kid is de-toxing when he shakes. Don't try this at home alone. It should only be done under medical supervision. And if you ever believed anything, believe what you will read next.....................You lightening his burdens is NOT going to help him. Get him into a hospital and then to a rehab.
Sorry to be blunt as well but cfm is right on the mark. The 3 realities stated are the only possible outcomes.
I would highly recommend Alanon to address co-dependent/enabling behavior and to learn how to have an active alcoholic in your life without going crazy.
I would highly recommend Alanon to address co-dependent/enabling behavior and to learn how to have an active alcoholic in your life without going crazy.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 72
I am a recovering alcoholic who used to drink a fifth of vodka a day.. sometimes more. I ALMOST DIED. I couch surfed and refused help.. My family made the heart-wrenching decision to kick me out. I finally went to a facility to stay warm. I didn't know there was medication to help get me through withdrawls. Vodka was my life, death, and medication. It will not get any better. Each day I was allowed to treat people's homes like a flop-house, was one day closer to my own death and one day more of me ravaging the lives of others. Nothing changes if nothing changes.. Good luck to you and your son.
Well said cfm!
devastated - you need to make pre-arrangements with a facility and take him there if you have to hog tie him. Of course, do NOT let him know where you are going. It would also be suggested that you take another traveler in case things get out of hand.
Since you stated he refuses to do anything about his problem, it's your responsibility to help him through this before he kills himself.
I know you must be scared as h3ll but this is about the only alternative I can see.
Wish you the best of luck and keep us posted.
devastated - you need to make pre-arrangements with a facility and take him there if you have to hog tie him. Of course, do NOT let him know where you are going. It would also be suggested that you take another traveler in case things get out of hand.
Since you stated he refuses to do anything about his problem, it's your responsibility to help him through this before he kills himself.
I know you must be scared as h3ll but this is about the only alternative I can see.
Wish you the best of luck and keep us posted.
Talk to a professional at a substance abuse facility and see what is possible. Posting here is fine but is not going to fix the problem. You also have to be prepared that maybe nothing is going to fix the problem
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IL
Posts: 48
I appreciate all of your responses and don't mind the bluntness at all. I do talk to others on the friends and family board too but just wanted advice from another alcoholic. You say I need to get him to a rehab...well, every rehab I've called will only take him if he himself consents. He is 23 so I can not "make" him go. I can't even get him to go see a Dr. I thought at least the doctor would scare him into stopping. I am trying very hard not to be an enabler but it seems like I'm just watching him destroy himself and am scared he might die.
I do appreciate all of your advice. Thank you.
I do appreciate all of your advice. Thank you.
I'm sorry devastated - I can only imagine how hard that must be to stand by and watch.
I do believe tho, as others have said, that change needs to be an internal thing...like al anon says - I Didn't Cause It, I Can't Control It, I Can't Cure It....noone can be forced into recovery...it just doesn't work like that, I'm afraid.
I know that makes it hard on you, but there are success stories.
I know I put my loved ones through a lot, for a long time, but I had a moment of clarity and I turned my life around.
I really hope your son will have a similar experience soon.
D
I do believe tho, as others have said, that change needs to be an internal thing...like al anon says - I Didn't Cause It, I Can't Control It, I Can't Cure It....noone can be forced into recovery...it just doesn't work like that, I'm afraid.
I know that makes it hard on you, but there are success stories.
I know I put my loved ones through a lot, for a long time, but I had a moment of clarity and I turned my life around.
I really hope your son will have a similar experience soon.
D
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ft Laud Fl
Posts: 2
Solution
Hi Devestated, I know what you are going through. I have lived with and lost several people I loved to the Disease of Alcoholism, and am an addict myself. I am getting clean, and I had Al Anon for 2 years so you think I would know better than to do any drugs, but its a physical Disease, which destroys you mentally, spiritually and emotionally and those around you. So, many people tried to help Me along my destructive path the last 5 yrs..to NO Avail. I had to hit My Bottom, like I did when I went to Al Anon standing in the Rooms broken, crying and hopeless...only this time its my Life, with addiction its Very simple, Black and White. Addiction will Kill you. So, until your son reaches His own Bottom, where He is sick and tired of being sick and tired, he will continue to drink. Unfortunately, noone but Him knows what that Bottom is, and he doesnt know until he reaches it. In Al Anon they teach us not to Enable. To Let Go with love and Let God. Your son is 23 yrs old, maybe its time for him to not have a place to crash at 'moms' for starters...just food for thought good luck, and God Bless
Unfortunately nothing you can do is going to fix him. He has to want to get fixed. You will stop hitting your head against the wall when it hurts bad enough.
I would make an appointment with a professional in substance abuse. They will know the legal system, and the treatment system. They will know if an intervention is appropriate and they will advise you on how cope with the situation and not enable him.
Your best efforts have gotten you no where. Reach out to people who do this for a living.
I would make an appointment with a professional in substance abuse. They will know the legal system, and the treatment system. They will know if an intervention is appropriate and they will advise you on how cope with the situation and not enable him.
Your best efforts have gotten you no where. Reach out to people who do this for a living.
I would make an appointment with a professional in substance abuse. They will know the legal system, and the treatment system. They will know if an intervention is appropriate and they will advise you on how cope with the situation and not enable him.
Your best efforts have gotten you no where. Reach out to people who do this for a living.
Your best efforts have gotten you no where. Reach out to people who do this for a living.
...It may be that your son doesn't understand how bad things can actually get - OR it may be that he does but he doesn't care (depression?) - OR it could be something else. Recovery has to start somewhere, and if he won't go for help himself, at least You can begin with You. (It is good to hear that he doesn't actually drink when he's at your place .. although the withdrawals are dangerous, as has been mentioned.)
Btw, I also did a fifth a day, and more, for a long time.... It's very expensive. For me, it was at least $25 per day, every day.... I also went through a few withdrawal/detoxing attempts, and each time was worse than the previous. I ended up in hospital with liver failure once. Other times, I thought I was going to have a heart attack, pass out in general, or have seizures .. all of which I am sure were very close to happening. Each time I was detoxing, I'd have leg cramps, my fingers and feet went numb, blurred vision, itchy skin, stomach/bowel troubles (tmi), and the list goes on ... oh, and major brain fog. It is scary, and deadly.
Good luck to you both. Your boy is lucky you care so much. And remember, if you have to ask him to leave until he recovers, that is also a caring choice. He will thank you some day, for whatever you choose to do to try to stop this.
((hugs)) from one mom to another.
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