ArcticSA

I just googled "stages of alcohol withdrawal" to better prepare myself for the first few days and I read that it can be fatal because of seizures and stuff. They say it is worse for those who drink heavily all day every day but it can also be dangerous for those who drink less.
Now I'm scared! Is there a certain guide or number to know how chemically dependent I am?
Or if withdrawal can actually be potentially fatal for me?!

doggonecarl

Arctic, as you found in your research, there is no way of knowing the danger. I think you should see a doctor, be honest about your drinking, and tell her of your wish to quit and concerns about withdrawals.

Coldfusion

All I know for sure is that I would call my doctor or go to the ER before I drink again!

Renarde

See your doctor - there is no way for us to know. There are meds that can help you withdraw safely.

Imabuleva

When you're an alcoholic.

See a doctor is the best advice anyone can give you here. Plus, seeing a doctor gives you more accountability if you struggle with that aspect of things.

ArcticSA

No way to know!? So all the people on SR right now that are in their first few days of quit have the potential to start seizing and hallucinating?
There has to be a way to at least make a good guess?
I drink on average either a bottle of wine or 6-9 beers about 4 times a week, surely that's not enough to cause problems? I don't know, I'm freaked out now.

resolute50

There is really no way to tell how hard it will be for you. Everybody is different.
Seeing a doctor and discussing it is the best way.
I will tell you I did it cold turkey and kept track of my blood pressure at home.
I was shocked at how high it climbed going through withdrawals and insomnia.

BLackshirt

The best thing you can do is take a deep breath and get an appointment with your doctor. It's always better safe than sorry.

Imabuleva

I was a hard liquor guy and I drank a lot of it. Pint of whiskey nightly at least... usually more.

I didn't seize or hallucinate, but I had digestive system issues (felt like my pancreas was about to explode or something) and I was jittery / shaky.

It depends on the person. Neurological symptoms especially.

ScottFromWI

I think we just went over all this in your previous thread, didn't we? You are scared and rightly so, but it doesn't need to be scary. Google and the internet in general is a horrible place to get medical advice, and the very reason we cannot give it here on SR.

You need to see your doctor or an addiction counselor if you have concerns. Don't worry about what we think, don't worry about who knows, don't worry about what anyone might hear, just pick up the phone and make a call. It is confidential and the people at the other end of the phone are there specifically to help you get better.

ArcticSA

I don't think we went over potentially fatal seizures in my last thread...more like emotional problems...
But yes, I suppose I could make a call, but figured someone on here might now.

Imabuleva

At the very least, the memory of seeing a doctor for possible (probable?) alcoholism will add to accountability.

It's difficult to tell yourself you're not really an alcoholic when you had to see a doctor for alcohol related ailments. At least that is my experience.

ScottFromWI

No one here can diagnose your potential for seizures. They are not the norm, but they are possible. There are many factors involved that only a medical or addiction specialist can take into account along with your own personal history.

wehav2day

Hey arctic, I remember from the feb 2103 thread. So glad to see you back!

You won't get a definitive answer on sr because medical advice is not allowed here. It's against sr rules and I wouldn't trust online medical advice from anyone who has never met me.

I wouldn't mess around with withdrawal, but I wouldn't want to le it scare me out of quitting either. Call your doctor. Or maybe go to a clinic where nobody knows you if that's better for you. But do it now if you can. Quitting again sucks and isn't pretty but it's the only way to get peace in your life again.

My thoughts are with you!!

Carlotta

Yes and this is why we encourage people to go see their doctor if they can afford it when they quit.
Cold turkey can be fatal.

alphaomega

Please if you are concerned seek medical assistance. There is no way to tell based upon the amount. It varies drastically based upon your own personal physiology. I can tell you my experience includes a small amount of alcohol that was close to bringing me to a seizure. Retrospectively I know I should of sought help.

Renarde

No, there is really no way for untrained people on an Internet forum to diagnose your risk for serious complications with withdrawal. There is a very complicated relationship between your own personal biology and your alcohol consumption - and your own biology is going to be a main determinant, so no, there is no way for us to be able to diagnose if your withdrawal poses a significant danger to you.

I wish there was a conclusive, 100% right all the time chart we could link you to that would say, no, you aren't at risk for any problems.

There is a simple answer and that is to see your physician for help, including prescriptions that can make withdrawal safer for you. I hope you call your doctor!

FreeOwl

I agree that if you are concerned, seeing a doctor is a good idea.

That said - what you say your average consumption is and the fact that it's not every single day - seems like you're in a stage of alcoholism where you're able, physically, to go a day or even a few days without drinking.

What happens on those other three nights a week?

Have you suffered any significant withdrawal symptoms?

I'm not a doctor so I cannot offer you medical advice but I can say that my experience has been that despite decades of binge drinking and in more recent years, regular and sometimes daily drinking - when I've sobered up my worst symptoms have been sleeplessness, sweating, anxiety and wrestling through cravings.

Consult a doctor if you're concerned and otherwise; don't drink and see what happens.

Lifewillgetbet

From experience your in seizure territory for 72 hours. I didn't have hallucinations but was shaking bad. Then I had a seizure. They are not pretty at all. I was 27 at the time. 31 now.
I got smart with my alcohol withdrawals and started to go to the Doctor and get medication for it. Its easy, and your family Doctor has to give it to you. I tell my Doctor everything anyways. He is probably disgusted with my drug/ alcohol induced filthy actions by now but its his job. But he seems very interested, so I am sure it is entertaining for him.

ronjohn

I would second everybody else's thoughts...

I can tell you I drank pretty much 8-10 beer every night for the last few years. The last time I quit I heart palpitations and panic attacks that I was dieing or something crazy. This time none of that. Part of that I would say was/is mental preparation. I knew that was part of the game when I quit so I braced for it.

No everyone is the same. I am pretty sure if you work yourself into a tither before you will probably have issues...