I have been drinking heavily for the 4 months : 6 - 13 standard shots of gin almost every day. Things just escalated and got out of hand. I was also smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, and usually finishing the night off with a couple of Tylenol with Codeine. I realize that I am probably lucky to still be alive.
I have stopped all the bad habits - no intention of going back to that place - but have a question about the detox process. I am on day 6 and things have not been too bad, except for a little fatigue and insomnia and bad dreams which I understand is normal in this situation. I can get through this. But it is the onset of hypersensitive skin that is driving me nuts! Itchy skin that feels as if bugs are crawling over me at times. NO, I don't see them! :-) Is this part of the detox - does anyone else know of this experience? And how long do you think this could last!
I have stopped all the bad habits - no intention of going back to that place - but have a question about the detox process. I am on day 6 and things have not been too bad, except for a little fatigue and insomnia and bad dreams which I understand is normal in this situation. I can get through this. But it is the onset of hypersensitive skin that is driving me nuts! Itchy skin that feels as if bugs are crawling over me at times. NO, I don't see them! :-) Is this part of the detox - does anyone else know of this experience? And how long do you think this could last!
I noticed you said you worry that you have to go thru life never drinking again. You only have to go through TODAY not drinking. One day at a time, honey. You can always drink tomorrow. When tomorrow comes. It will be today again. :-) God love you for drinking. I drank heavily and it brought me down quick. I've been sober 9 years now and I'm also an avid sports fan (NFL). Hey - I now remember the score the next morning and no longer waking up feeling so awful. If you haven't already, please check out A.A. I'll pray for you!
I've been drinking probably 12 bottles of wine per week for years. I gave up on New Year's eve. Day 14 for me now and for the first time I feel really ill. Woke up last night freezing cold and shivering. Terrible headache, slight nausia and symptoms of flu.
I suspected that it was alcohol withdrawl and reading these messages has pretty much confirmed it. My partner has no idea, or at least she's never said anything about my drinking too much. She regualrly buys me alcohol as a treat and even takes me to breweries! I'm now dreading 14th Feb, Valentine's night. She knows I'm off alcohol at the moment but thinks it's a bid to lose weight after Christmas. She has told me that when we go for our posh Valentine's meal 'there is 'no way she's sitting drinking a bottle of wine on her own'. She drinks very little, probably a bottle of wine a week.
Lucky I have the day off work today. Not looking forward to going in tomorrow.
I suspected that it was alcohol withdrawl and reading these messages has pretty much confirmed it. My partner has no idea, or at least she's never said anything about my drinking too much. She regualrly buys me alcohol as a treat and even takes me to breweries! I'm now dreading 14th Feb, Valentine's night. She knows I'm off alcohol at the moment but thinks it's a bid to lose weight after Christmas. She has told me that when we go for our posh Valentine's meal 'there is 'no way she's sitting drinking a bottle of wine on her own'. She drinks very little, probably a bottle of wine a week.
Lucky I have the day off work today. Not looking forward to going in tomorrow.
I hope this helps someone.Last year I was drinking a gallon of vodka per week , plus beers. On Jan.11, after a night of "partying", I awoke to heart palpitations(atrial-fib) and SVT (Rapid heart rate) . I wound up in the emergency room. Eventhough ,generally,neither condition is life threatening ,although uncomfortable,I decided to quit drinking , cold turkey.Like someone mentioned,the first days were a little uncomfortable but on the fifth day I hit the wall.Headaches,blurry vision,no appetite,wierd flashes(like when you get horrible news)and lethargy.Basically, I got Anxiety.Eventhough I had this condition,I was determind to continue on my own.(Bad mistake).A month later,after I went from 220 lbs. to 160lbs.( I am 6'2" )I decided to get Medical help.My Doctor prescribed Lorazipam( mild tranquilizer )Wow! What a difference!Very happy.The only problem is ,traquilizers are only a temporary fix.They can become addicting or ineffective if taken too much.After seeing a Psychologist , I was prescribed Mirtazapine.One of the side effect is drowsiness,so I took it at night.Man , I've never slept 8 hrs. in my life.The only problem is Mirtazapine takes up to 8 weeks to take full effect.So for eight weeks I survived on the Lorazipam and (I dont recommend this to anyone,but I am pretty stong willed and can stop at one ) small amounts of alcohol.One drink here and there.It's been a year now and I feel great.I never knew there was life after drinking ,but there is!My opinion is, if you are going to quit drinking,and you drink alot,do it gradually then quit.Also seek medical help.Don't try it alone! :-) This method worked for me and may or may not work for you.But you've taken the first big step deciding to quit!Good Luck!
I hope this message helps somone too. I am really glad I found this site. I have been drinking for the past decade, mostly beer and mixed drinks that included binge drinking on the weekends with friends and never considered it a huge deal. About 5 months ago however I began drinking vodka and beer every day going through a half gallon of vodka per week. Soon I could hardly function and there were many days I laid in bed and got up in the afternoon and started drinking. This kept on until last week when drinking a strong vodka I suddenly began vomiting uncontrollably and nearly passed out. The good news is I have been sober for a week. The withdrawal symptoms were awful, I mean scary hellish, for 2 days I shook like a leaf and could hardly do anything for myself I could not hold a glass and had to drink out of a straw. I had a rapid heart beat sweats, and insomnia and lack of appetite. I should have gone to the doctor but was too ashamed so I managed to tough it out at home, god bless my family who helped me. You can make it through the withdrawal though everybody is different. I am not a doctor and I am not trying to sell anything but the following helped me make it through: I took valarian herb, vitamin B12, multivitamins and tension tamer and sleepy time tea, drank alot of juice, gatoraid and water. I also took pm over the counter sleeping medication as needed (only before bed). Also you need to make yourself eat! I tried to take it easy think positive and get rest, reading seems to help me relax. Do not be supprised after quitting if you throw up, have back pain, sleeplessness, anxiety and depression especially for the first 2 or three days. If you are in doubt, go too the hospital, I felt like I was going to die a few times during the withdraw. It is day 7 and I feel much much better but not 100% (certainly better than being drunk), still feel a bit jittery and depressed. Any time I feel the urge to drink I just think about the hellish withdrawals. If you feel you need to stop drinking, do it, try to get someone to stay with you through the withdraw. Lastly, this can happen to anyone and I mean anyone, rich poor educated or ignorant don't be ashamed ask for help. God bless you.
I had a pretty bad drinking problem as well -- it is easier to let go of it if you taper your drink intake (and keep it to like light beers).
also smoking weed helps -- I quit with very limited withdrawal symptoms -- mostly sweating and "brain fog". anyway the weed will keep your appetite up and help you sleep.
also smoking weed helps -- I quit with very limited withdrawal symptoms -- mostly sweating and "brain fog". anyway the weed will keep your appetite up and help you sleep.
Going to be starting a taper this week, have plenty of cannabis to help. Timing it so I have the weekend for my first three no booze days.
Done this before. Need to take at least a few weeks off. I will try to keep people update on my progress.
Done this before. Need to take at least a few weeks off. I will try to keep people update on my progress.
Tapering is going well for me. Have some slight anxiety and really do not feel like going to work, but that is not too bad. From my previous experience I will start to feel better soon until I come closer to 5 to 6 PMish as thats when I start to drink. Had some cravings last night to just have one more but I didn't. Didn't really smoke all that much cannabis. I have to be really careful with the dosages of that stuff nowadays.
One strategy I used with cravings: Just keep giving yourself activities and put of having the drink until you are done. So: "Sure you can have a beer, after you finish this whole bottle of water". "Sure you can have a beer, but only after you take a walk around the block".
One strategy I used with cravings: Just keep giving yourself activities and put of having the drink until you are done. So: "Sure you can have a beer, after you finish this whole bottle of water". "Sure you can have a beer, but only after you take a walk around the block".
Tapering is still going fine, had my allotted amount tonight (2 lite beers). Had a really nice workout, I've been working out for a year, seriously for the past couple months. Drinking, especially daily gets in the way. Not craving too hard, slight anxiety and a headache are all I'm feeling.
Just for the record, I've been drinking for at least 5 years but I've cut my intake down alot over the past few months. I've been good about keeping it to the weekend, but slipped back into the daily drinking a few weeks ago.
Just for the record, I've been drinking for at least 5 years but I've cut my intake down alot over the past few months. I've been good about keeping it to the weekend, but slipped back into the daily drinking a few weeks ago.
Tapering is still going good. Only having one tonight. Have had two excellent workouts, I didn't realize how much alcohol was effecting my workouts. Head is starting to clear up.
I did end up having to have two yesterday when I wanted to drop to one beer only. I started to develop a headache around drinking time. I'm not feeling it today however. Good stuff!
Haven't smoked any cannabis yet, but I'm packing it up now. After I finish this bag then I am planning on stopping and drinking on the weekends only. I'm going to give myself some totally clean weeks first though. I've done this before, I just need to stop slipping up and falling back into old habits.
I did end up having to have two yesterday when I wanted to drop to one beer only. I started to develop a headache around drinking time. I'm not feeling it today however. Good stuff!
Haven't smoked any cannabis yet, but I'm packing it up now. After I finish this bag then I am planning on stopping and drinking on the weekends only. I'm going to give myself some totally clean weeks first though. I've done this before, I just need to stop slipping up and falling back into old habits.
Tapering is still going well. I have the day off of work. Today is my first day with no alcohol at all. No physical symptoms and cravings a pretty low. I wouldn't be surprised to have a flare up around the time I usually drink though.
Tapering off is the way to go if you can do it. Sure the effects last longer, but they are minimized big time. Maybe my dependency isn't very strong. I have been know to build up withdrawals in my head.
Had one small cannabis brownie, wanted to make sure I kept the dose low so it doesn't contribute to any anxiety. Oral Cannabis seems to work even better for relief, however I really stress that you have to know what you are doing and be able to guesstimate the dose you are taking.
Tapering off is the way to go if you can do it. Sure the effects last longer, but they are minimized big time. Maybe my dependency isn't very strong. I have been know to build up withdrawals in my head.
Had one small cannabis brownie, wanted to make sure I kept the dose low so it doesn't contribute to any anxiety. Oral Cannabis seems to work even better for relief, however I really stress that you have to know what you are doing and be able to guesstimate the dose you are taking.
My grilfriend of 8 years left me last thursday. That was the last time I drank. I've been sober now for 8 days. I'm finnaly eating full meals. I was a bit shakey for the first 3 or 4 days with high anxiety and depressed. I'm on day 8 still feel depressed and don't know what to do with my time. Still having trouble sleeping too. I realized the booze ruined my life and still have crazy thoughts of how it all went wrong. I just hope I start feeling better soon. And I went to a few AA meetings they make me feel a little better but still can't believe I got myself to this point in my life. I feel like a total loser.
"My grilfriend of 8 years left me last thursday. That was the last time I drank. I've been sober now for 8 days. I'm finnaly eating full meals. I was a bit shakey for the first 3 or 4 days with high anxiety and depressed. I'm on day 8 still feel depressed and don't know what to do with my time. Still having trouble sleeping too. I realized the booze ruined my life and still have crazy thoughts of how it all went wrong. I just hope I start feeling better soon. And I went to a few AA meetings they make me feel a little better but still can't believe I got myself to this point in my life. I feel like a total loser."
I'm sorry to hear that. My one suggestion would to be to start exercising as soon as you can, even just taking walks can help. Some situps, a few pushups, weights whatever you can do. Exercising has helped me alot when it comes to reducing and or not drinking. Also eat healthy and try to think positive.
These all sound hard to do right now, but once you get a few more days under your belt and some good meals in, you will notice that you are actually starting to feel pretty good... without the booze.
Anyways I am doing good, 48 hours with no alcohol and it hasn't been difficult. I guess my overall reduction over the past few months really helped. A taper probably wasn't even necessary but I respond well to them.
Basically I'm craving for a few hours around 5 pm and then I wakeup and feel like I am slightly hungover for 45 minutes.
I'm sorry to hear that. My one suggestion would to be to start exercising as soon as you can, even just taking walks can help. Some situps, a few pushups, weights whatever you can do. Exercising has helped me alot when it comes to reducing and or not drinking. Also eat healthy and try to think positive.
These all sound hard to do right now, but once you get a few more days under your belt and some good meals in, you will notice that you are actually starting to feel pretty good... without the booze.
Anyways I am doing good, 48 hours with no alcohol and it hasn't been difficult. I guess my overall reduction over the past few months really helped. A taper probably wasn't even necessary but I respond well to them.
Basically I'm craving for a few hours around 5 pm and then I wakeup and feel like I am slightly hungover for 45 minutes.
Hey all, same guy that has been posting. Still alcohol free. Haven't had a single beer since Friday. Today is my first day back at work over the weekend. Had an early start, so I will be getting off right at 5:00 PM (its difficult to leave on time in my field).
Still partaking in the cannabis as needed (well obviously after work). Haven't been having to smoke all that much.
My appetite is a bit off today which sucks, I've only managed to be able to have a power bar and then later a protein shake with whole milk. That should keep me going. Still not sure how long I am going to keep the no alcohol going. Most likely at least till Friday, but probably longer.
I have a feeling its going to be hard tonight to not have anything, however I plan on hitting the gym in the morning.
Still partaking in the cannabis as needed (well obviously after work). Haven't been having to smoke all that much.
My appetite is a bit off today which sucks, I've only managed to be able to have a power bar and then later a protein shake with whole milk. That should keep me going. Still not sure how long I am going to keep the no alcohol going. Most likely at least till Friday, but probably longer.
I have a feeling its going to be hard tonight to not have anything, however I plan on hitting the gym in the morning.
I have had a problem with alcohol abuse for more than 2-3 years (27 years old), when I started to drink on my own at home. For the last year or so I have been drinking everyday. The reason for all this in the first place was due to problems with social fobia, I felt more relaxed and social at family gatherings etc when drinking or "hung over" (this actually gave me a feeling of relaxation the day after, I have never suffered from headdaches or any thing the day after drinking),
I would estimate and average consumption of around 6-10 medium strong bears pr day (6%, 33 cL can), often even more e.g. combined with red wine, but rarely strong drinks such as vodka, cognac etc. Consumption would typically start in the evening, but if I had the chance e.g. girlfriend not home or free from university I could pop up the first can of beer at 10 a.m.
I don't know what it is with this alcohol but somehow I was (am) addicted to the feeling of being intoxicated, I feel relaxed no concerns etc. I have also made calculations as to how quickly I could get "high" from drinking beers, so I started buying these half litre cans with very strong beer (10-11%) and consumed them as quickly as a glass of milk. During periods of exams I would drink less, but after coplemtion of examins I could be seriously drunk for several days partying with my self.
I have cut down on my drinking for the last two months or so in a way as not to get intoxicated (drunk), the last 5 days I have not touched alcohol at all, I don't feel any serious physiological symptoms, only psycological, like I would like a beer or ten.
Will it ever be possible to live a normal life with alcohol, I mean like drinking on social occasions etc without it becomming everyday again. I know, some people can stop every day smoking at still smoke at parties without it becomming a problem again???
I would estimate and average consumption of around 6-10 medium strong bears pr day (6%, 33 cL can), often even more e.g. combined with red wine, but rarely strong drinks such as vodka, cognac etc. Consumption would typically start in the evening, but if I had the chance e.g. girlfriend not home or free from university I could pop up the first can of beer at 10 a.m.
I don't know what it is with this alcohol but somehow I was (am) addicted to the feeling of being intoxicated, I feel relaxed no concerns etc. I have also made calculations as to how quickly I could get "high" from drinking beers, so I started buying these half litre cans with very strong beer (10-11%) and consumed them as quickly as a glass of milk. During periods of exams I would drink less, but after coplemtion of examins I could be seriously drunk for several days partying with my self.
I have cut down on my drinking for the last two months or so in a way as not to get intoxicated (drunk), the last 5 days I have not touched alcohol at all, I don't feel any serious physiological symptoms, only psycological, like I would like a beer or ten.
Will it ever be possible to live a normal life with alcohol, I mean like drinking on social occasions etc without it becomming everyday again. I know, some people can stop every day smoking at still smoke at parties without it becomming a problem again???