Alcohol Withdrawal
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are exceptionally unpleasant, as I’m sure you know. There are physical symptoms and emotional ones. Let’s start with the most extreme to get it out of the way - death.
Yes, if you’re physically dependent on alcohol, then a sudden withdrawal as opposed to a gradual detox can actually kill you or leave you with brain damage, usually via a seizure (a bit like an epileptic fit). Heart palpitations are the milder form of this. But lets hope you’re not quite that bad just yet (if you are drinking over 70 units per week for a woman or 100 for a man, then at least try to cut down gradually, or better than that - see a doctor).
On to the less fatal withdrawal symptoms then, we have hallucinations (usually unpleasant - spiders or snakes are common), the shakes, nausea and vomiting, oh and diarrhoea of course. Particularly unpleasant is waking in the middle of the night soaked in cold sweat, or alternatively, your own piss. It’s not sounding like a party exactly, is it?
Then you might have a splitting headache, often from severe dehydration and dilation of blood vessels. Basically the brain shrinks away from the lining of the skull. Ouch!
Hypoglycaemia, caused by the inability of the liver to metabolize sugar, can then leave you feeling irritable, nervous or aggressive, and weak.
You might end up with a few more emotional effects too, like mood swings, depression or confusion. Basically feeling like the lowest form of life on the planet.
So how can you make alcohol withdrawal easier?
- Electrolyte replacement might help (the sachets you can get for diarrhoea are the best), along with plenty of liquids.
- Complex carbohydrates (like brown rice, wholemeal bread, wholegrain cereals etc.) will help to slowly stabilize your blood sugar levels.
- Eggs contain Cysteine, which can help the liver to metabolize Acetaldehyde (the toxic by-product of alcohol).
- B-vitamin supplements are essential, as they help your nerve cells to recover from the damage you’ve inflicted.
- We all know about the healing powers of caffeine - this constricts the blood vessels and can therefore alleviate the headache.
But to be on the safe side, if you’re drinking most mornings in order to get through your hangover, or you often get the shakes and sweats if you haven’t had a drink for a while, then you really should get some medical support before you consider withdrawing.
keep the good work up everyone, i’ve just gone through day one and i at least i;m feeling sleepy without any aid of booze. I’m going to bed now and hope i don’t get the sweats through the night and will hopefully be fresh tomorrow as i’m not working and spending the day with Gina looking for new furniture, i know what it’s like going round the shops when your head isn’t right, all blurry and the clamy hands horrible!!!
Be good everyone, each day will get better, i’m sure of that!!!!
GB
Sheila, Gary, you guys sound great. We CAN do it this time!!!
Hi guys, I’m new to this it’s day one for me after smashing my face on the floor last night I think it’s time to quit.
Hi everyone, i hope every one is well. Day 3 and things are going well, have got over the physical withdrawal just dealing with the nerves. It’s saturdat night and i don’t fell like a drink, had a call from a mate wanting to know if i fancy a pint and was able to turn the offer down no prob, but hope it will always be as easy!!!
I’m going on now as i’ve a good dvd to watch and then bed, so be good everyone!!!!
Hi Joe, I did that as well, take a photo and keep it as a reminder!!
Keep posting, cut down or cut it out and hope the bruises go down soon.
Best Wishes.
Gary I think you are a winner.
Hey there, woke up this morning again full of remorse and guilt…been on a five day bender, drinking boittle of whiskey a day.Know that the shakes are going to kick in soon and I am terrified. Already dry retching..
Hi everyone, hope evryone is keeping well, Kirsty i went on a bender something similar last year on whisky and can feel you pain, my thoughts are with you! Joe i have fell and injured myself many a time you’re not alone on that score but at least you are thinking of quitting i used to just take it as par for the course that it was something everyone did now and again!!! Sheila thanks for your kind words, i’m going great guns but it’s complacencey i have to guard against, that’s what usually happens i will go a few dry weeks then as i’m feeling better and fit i will have a couple beers with the boys or a bottle of wine with Gina some night without any big trouble but then a switch just flicks some night and i get hammered which leads to a bender and the horrible circle continues!!! Going to keep focused this time and forget about having a few as i have too much to loose this time!!!!
Hope you will all be strong, better times lie ahead for us all, i’m sure of it!! Be Good everyone!!!
I’m proud of you guys. Realization is the first and worst part.
I went to heaven this weekend!!!! Went rafting for 3 days with 11 other 50ish women. Weather was perfect, river was perfect. It was like having 11 therapists. The best part is EVERYONE was drinking the whole time except me and I still had one of the best times in my life. I only thought twice about drinking, but didn’t and I feel like I have overcome a huge hurdle. We just laughed and talked non stop. We had great big squirt guns and were shooting the other boaters we didn’t even know - what fun.
I’m on day 6 and doing great but know I can’t let my guard down. It can be done. I have been where you are many times Kirsty and Joe.
Luck & love
Ramona
How’s everyone doing? Awful quiet on here. Day 7 for me and am starting to think alot more clearly and get a good routine. The key for me is exercise, vitamins, keeping busy and prayer. Not thinking about drinking really helps also. Life is so much better for me sober.
Hang in there all!!!
Ramona
Hi Ramona, nice to hear you had a good time at the weekend and managed to also stay dry, well done to you. Day seven you sound great, and you are right life is nice when one is sober, keep doing what you are doing. I cannot tell a lie, I had a small blip over the weekend, but I did not get paralytic or stupid or anywhere near that, so not too much harm done, and straight back on the wagon yesterday. I know that if I can get through next weekend I’ll be on a winning streak as weekdays are becoming easier to manage, and starting to sleep better. Like you I think the key is excercise and eating well, and keeping your brain busy. I have read a nice book this week, something I have not done for a few years as I just had no interest and lacked the concentration. Its a nice feeling starting to feel normal again.
Lets keep going on this it’s worth it.
Hi everybody
I am new to here - am just wondering what is wrong with me. I do admit I have problems with drinking but have not done anything about them so far. Anyway, recently, I haven’t been well (depression and stress) and was sleeping most of the time. Because of that, I was not drinking as much as I would have “normally”.
My friend has suggested that it might be alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It seems strange because I actually feel as if I was drunk - cannot walk straight, my vision’s blurry, am sleepy, have disturbing dreams, heart racing at times, panic attacks, sweatiness, loss of apetite. Is that it?
Thanks
Cassie.
Thanks Sheila - yea let’s keep going.
Cassie, those are all symptoms, but if it doesn’t get better, you should go see a doc.
Gary b, how are you doing?
Ramona
Yes those are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, sounds like you are probably getting thru the worst of it, just try and take some deep breaths, and remember that its just your body getting use to the idea of no alcohol. You will feel out if it for a day or two but no sense on going backward and start drinking again, you will just have to do this some other time. Make sure you are eating, I know it’s not easy, you are probably not hungry, but your body needs food and vitamins to get back on track, even if it’s some broth and a bit of bread. Make sure you drink lots of water to clean out your system, and flush out your liver, this will help you to feel better as well. Most likely your drinking is causing your depression which in turn is causing you stress. I was depressed as well and soon after I quit drinking, I realized that my depression has went away as well as my anxiety. If you are worried about your mates, tell them that you are on antibiotics and can’t drink or your doc told you not too for a few weeks, people won’t try and talk you into it if they think there is a medical reason behind it.
But rest assured you are not losing your mind and the symptoms you described above are nothing more than withdrawal, they are more of a nusiance than anything else and will be over in a day or two. Don’t let them get you back to drinking, I have had them so bad I thought surely i would die, but yet here I am. If you have been drinking for a long time and very heavily you might ask your doctor for something to help. They can be very understanding believe it or not, especially if they know you are serious, it’s something they deal with everyday.
But most people go it alone and find that they are capable of doing it, the first two days are the worst so if you are thru that the rest is gravy. You will feel out of it for about a week afterward, but that feeling goes away as well. You will be glad you did as life on the sober side is waaaay more entertaining that being drunk or hungover all the time, trust me I know. You won’t believe what you are capable of doing!
Good luck and let us know your progress–I know you can do it, If I can anyone can.
Lenny
Hi All, I went to the corner shop and just bought groceries, I feel really proud of myself and its a nice feeling!!!
Sheila - I’m proud of you too. Lenny, good job, how long has it been?
For me - Day 8 and everything’s great!!!!!
How’s everyone doing? Really, this can be done. You just need to get past the first few days and keep going. I know the first few days are hell and you may not have the best life, but think about yourself as a turtle that has flipped over on his back. Flip back over and slowly creep along in the right direction. I know that sounds stupid.
Have a great day!
Luck & love
Ramona great way to put it, it has been 1 month and 3 days for me, finally feeling alot better, cobwebs are almost totally gone. I was sober for 5 months before my last bender! Being sober is so much better! not worth those nasty withdrawals for a week of drunken stupidity! Great job on day 8, you are right if you can get past the first few days it gets so much easier, keep up the good work, no sense in turning back now. Great job to you too Sheila, I know going to the shop can cause a trip down the wrong aisle, I have done that myself. It does feel good to just walk right on by and say “not for me!” Not to mention alot easier on the pocketbook as well. Keep up the good work both of you!
Lenny
its day 2 for me how long do you think my symptons will last?? i am having major trouble sleeping
yes you will have some trouble sleeping for a few more days, the symptoms last between 3 and 5 days, with the first two being the worst, so you are getting thru the worst of it, just try and turn on the TV and you might be able to doze off here and there, just sitting in bed and tossing a turning can be very frustrating. Also make sure you get something in your stomach as it might help your body to relax, some carbohydrates as you might be low on blood sugar. It is very easy to give up but hang in there and you will be feeling like a new person in no time just another day or so. Keep us updated on your progress as we all have been thru the late nights, sweats, palpitations etc… they will be over before you know it and you will say it’s been two weeks already! Good Luck you are taking a great step in improving your life!
Lenny
hi lenny
I brought some nytol today and fell asleep watching t.v!! i awoke and felt alot better i still have lost my appitite a bit. This has been a hard 2 days for me!! thankyou
drayton
Hi, My husband is attempting to quick drinking, he has been a whiskey drinker for years and lastnight he cut is limit down to 1 small drink. Well this morning he is shaky and cold. I made him breakfast (eggs and toast) and am making sure he is drinking fluids, water and gatoraid. Is there anything else I can do to help him and is there any signs I should watch for if I need to take him in?
Thank You
Amber
Hi all….wish I’d known this site existed a while back!
I’m done withdrawal a few times - but had 2 major occasions where I had time off work and the second time I agreed to take the Oxazepam my doctor offered me. Good gosh did it make it easier! Would suggest to any really suffering to go see your GP and get something to help.
Very very disappointed with myself as on day 2 of withdrawal…not a huge bender…and symptoms manageable, but I shouldn’t have had that 1 in the first place! Thought I was past all this - just goes to show I cannot have just 1…it will always lead to trouble.
Also - withdrawal symptoms kick in after not much booze and not much time either….it’s not like you go back to never having had a problem…one heavy night and the next day its like it was when I first went through withdrawal.
Stay strong folks…good to know I’m not alone!
Rest assured Drayton it definitely gets easier, the first two days are the hardest, just try to get you mind off of it by going for a walk or cleaning out your garage, anything to keep you occupied it helps pass the time and will tire you out to help you get you get some decent sleep. Hang in there in a few days you will see that is was well worth it. I had posted back around the end of May while I was having withdrawals. you can look back and see it’s not easy for anyone, but I tell you I am glad I got them over with as they are unpleasant but necessary! Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, gatorade worked for me, just make sure you are staying away from caffiene.
Lenny
This is day one for me tough going so far. . Dreading the racing head tonight and sweats. And its so hot today aswell. Feel on edge already just walking round. . Been here too many times before . . This is it im not giving up this time. Well done everyone.
Drayton,
Also try to force yourself to eat something, even just a cup of soup with some bread. Your body needs something as you are probably low on vitamin if you have a multi-vitamin take it. Thiamine or a b-complex would definitely help. Make sure you eat something before you take a vitamin or drink some milk first as a vitamin on an empty stomach can be a little unpleasant.
lenny
good deal Lally set your mind to it it you can do it! It only is day one once, before you know it it will be a week, then two, etc…, the first two days are the hardest first 18 hours being the worst, then it gets a little easier as time passes, but well worth it, keep yourself occupied and the time will go quickly, when you think you can’t do it just know that you are in control and not the drink, take a deep breath and the anxiety will pass so will the thought that you need a drink to get rid of the feelings, they kind of come in waves and will get less frequent as the day goes on. Good luck to you and report back and check this site often as it also helps to get strength from others that are and have experienced these feeling as well. Make sure you eat and drink plenty of water.
Lenny
amber if he has a siezure or starts talking out of his head you will want to seek some medical help, has he cut down slowly or is the one small drink a sudden drop off from a quart or so a day?
Lenny
Ramona, how are you? I loved the bit about the turtle and will remember your advice. I do hope that day nine has been a good one for you, good work.
Lenny you are doing great, and also handing out good advice to us all, and it is very much appreciated, thank you.
I’m still hanging in there, the weekend will be my test! This time though the anxiety seems to have gone I feel calm and more in control and eating properly.
Also found my enjoyment of reading again.
Stay busy everyone, and keep going it’s worth it.
Thanks Sheila, I am doing great on day 9. I also don’t seem to have the anxiety as much as before. Am loving life, even tho my job kinda sucks today. Glad your’e doing so well. I know weekends are hard, especially 3 dayers. We’re just lucky to have a job with this economy - stay busy.
Keep going dratonled, Jax, Lally, it gets easier. How’s everyone else doing?
Ramona
I hate the anxiety and know it will be with me for days. . And i hate my jumpy legs seem to have a life of there own. . Just trying to watch films now and hopefully will drop off for an hour or two. . Really hard to sit Still i know im not going mad. .all this stuff in my head. Well thats what i keep telling myself. Ha is that an oxymoron. At least i can laugh. . Just want the morning to come. Gives me strength reading other peoples comments. . . Thx