Purple99

Hi there. Although still new to the forum, I have read many posts and it seems like my drinking was way worse than most. This could be my perception, but when I quit 6 months ago, I was drinking a full standard size bottle of vodka every 24 hours. I would shake after 3-4 hours without a drink. Withdrawal was 5 solid days of tremors, visual and audial hallucinations and sweating, etc. it was hell. Are there any other sober or not yet sober folks who drank to that level? Thanks!

TheSoberDude

I have seen more drinking than that in my everyday job. You would be surprised how many alcoholics drank to that level...and beyond. My father included. Good on you for staying sober! You have ultimately saved your own life.

icewater1961

Yes I did drink a lot, I don't know how to measure it, I don't even remember. But it led to ER four times, DUIs, I tried to detox without medical supervision but had blackouts, sweat, vivid hallucinations and psychosis. I will not go into detail about the horrors, I have shared my experiences here before. But it does not matter how much you drink, other than you seriously could die sooner than later. Lesser amounts of alcohol are not healthy either, some other people might not drink as much but can still be alcoholics. Glad that you decided to stop. Don't drink no matter what.

August252015

Yep. I had a handle (lgest US size) of vodka every day/day and a half; probably a couple other drinks around that if I was working at the restaurant (usually was).

I went cold turkey, went through extreme PAWS and I'd do it all that way again.

I also KNOW that it would get worse than all that if I ever started drinking again, fast- and I might not have the chance to quit and go through the start of recovery because I would be dead.

icewater1961

Congrats to all of you that stopped the madness. What matters most is what is now, and what is to come. I don't know if I drank more or less because, as said, I was so drunk that I sincerely don't remember, and I would buy small bottles of vodka and bourbon and wine (denial... lots of small bottles) so who knows. But we are still here and given a second chance. Purple you could have died. Detox can kill you too. Huge congrats on your journey to recovery. Keep us posted about how you all are feeling. PS it has occurred to me that very few women drink like I did but when I read the forums and saw YouTube videos about alcoholism I realized that's not entirely true. Plus I have a friend that probably drank a handle of vodka in 24 hours every day, her system shut down and she was given 12% change to survive. She has been sober for four years now and looking great. Super heavy drinkers or not, kudos to the people that realize early that they have a problem, that will become a bigger problem, and do something about it!

tomsteve

Are there any other sober or not yet sober folks who drank to that level?

yes.

Purple99

Thanks all. Yes, I am convinced I almost died drinking and almost died quitting cold turkey. I had medical intervention and phenobarbital that really helped. I can never drink again. I am happy to be part of this forum because I still have paws 6 months in. Therapy and antidepressant should help - I am back to regular therapy and one week in on meds.

dcg

Are we talking about internet number of drinks per day or real life number of drinks per day? Either way, it's not a contest, but anyone who stops drinking gets a participation award: sobriety.

icewater1961

Stay with your support system, doctors, nurses and therapy. One of my friends in AA is a retired nurse. She's in the women's group. She said it takes at least a year for the brain cortex to return to anything like normal after alcohol abuse. I am not a specialist and this is just something she said. Anecdotal. The bottom line is that you should continue in the good direction and give it some time. And who knows what is normal?! Rather than believe everything you read on the internet stay close to professionals and peer support but understand that you are dealing with people, nobody is a magician and I certainly would be put to wear a cone hat and sit in a corner in another environment. Actually that would not be bad, after what they did to me when they put me through in jail for DUis, enough. Enormous support here. Always somebody here for you. I have been here in the small hours and within minutes somebody saw my pain. A lot of wisdom. You seem well on the good path, keep it up! We all have different life stories to tell, but also something very much in common!

Kdon853

Enough that I chose to stop.

Primativo

Actually as part of my outpatient treatment I had a short sit down with a psychiatrist yesterday. He told me I need to stop drinking for a year as that is how long it takes for your brain to 'reset'. So I think it is true. He said your brain chemicals need to re balance out and it takes a year. he also said, staying sober for a year allows you and them, to see if it was really just the alcohol causing low mood and anxiety, or if there is an underying mental issue which is still there even after a year of sobreity.

It all makes sense to me anyway. He also said it takes about 3 months for your mood to stabilise after stopping drinking.

Dee74

Hi and welcome Purple

I have no idea how much I drank- wasn't a spirits guy, but I drank enough beer and wine to keep me permanently toasted all day everyday.

I'm confident however much you drank you'll find people here who identify with your story

oldmate

10 liters of extra stout a day at 6.3%

Well done for getting off it.