Almost slipped

It's been over 100 days since I quit drinking and I've been feeling pretty good. So I figured I could have a few drinks just once.

Went to the store and bought a pint of vodka. The owner was surprised to see me since it's been so long. I took the pint of vodka and walked up to the deli to buy something to mix it with. Orange juice.

As I'm standing on the line to buy my orange juice my knees got week. I felt the dizziness and lightheadedness that I've been experiencing since I quit hit me full force like it never has before. I almost fell over as my feet felt like pure jelly.

Threw the full, unopened pint of vodka into the trash and took the orange juice home and drank it straight.

Don't know if it was convenient timing or my brain's way of saying "Hey, I know what you're up to." But either way. Message received.

Going to the doctor next week to get this dizziness looked at further. Had some blood work done already and everything looks pretty good. Might be a probem in my spine or my ears. Is it bad that I'm actually HOPING it's one of those two things and not a liver or heart disease caused by my years of drinking?

If the doctor tells me "Yep, you have to have ear or spine surgery" I might kiss him for giving me the "good" news.

Alcohol... and stopping alcohol... does weird things to people.

111 Days. Make a wish.

[narla]

It is so great that you threw the vodka away,don't let the voice of reason talk you into something you'll regret,Alcoholics really can't risk drinking again because we'd just return to abusing the alcohol again,and even if there is no damage now it won't stop damage ocurring further down the track.Good Luck and stay strong,

Denise

[dominosarah]

You came real close to relapsing.  I hope this scared you.  Always have to keep your guard up.  Reward yourself some other way.  You did real good by throwing the bottle away and coming on here and talking about it.....I would be hitting  many meetings right now.  Quiet the beast in your head now....sara

[ibizan]

Allright now none of this paranoid thinking you have some major medical problem!You stopped yourself...such a good thing!did u slack off your meetings?

[Jacker]

Congratulations on making it this far, and thank you for the inspiration of throwing the bottle away. I've been there many times, and after I quit the first time, I caved thinking I could have "just a few".  I have to tell you that it was not the same as it was in the old days.  There was no pleasant buzz and my symptoms from my previous drinking issues returned very quickly.  In other words, I wasted time and lost ground for nothing!

You made a good choice, and temptations will come now and then.  It's what you do about that temptation that counts.

I had a major problem with Dizziness too, and I can't remember how long it took to go away.  I do know that it took a period of months, but you're right about checking in with a Doctor, and digging a little deeper.

Quitting alcohol (after it's been a major part of your life) is hard......if it wasn't hard,there would be no need for forums like this or AA or other programs.  Your post may help you, but it also helps others and you've given me a little encouragement as well.  

If you're wavering, follow the advice here and think about some meetings.  

[dominosarah]

Get yourself checked by the doctor.  Could be something simple as Vertigo.  

I agree with Jacker as posts like this do help us.  Makes us realize we are all vulnerable to this addiction no matter how long we are sober.

Hope you are feeling better Westguy.  Let us know how you are doing.      

Sending warm thoughts your way~~~~~sara

[narla]

I have also had problems with dizziness,is this another side affect to getting sober?I actually had a C/T scan to make sure there was nothing serious wrong.Everything was fine.

Denise

[Westguy1003]

I don't know. No doctor has really been clear about it. I've just heard "This happens sometimes." I know plenty of people who have quit drinking or even stopped for a little while after many years of heavy drinking and have said they've felt dizzy and off balance for a while but usually only for a few days or weeks, maybe a month or two. I'm about a week away from 4 months and I'm still off balance and dizzy alot.

Shrug. Dunno.

Otherwise I'm doing well. I wasn't feeling any great craving or desire to drink I just felt like: "Yeah I feel good these days so maybe I'd be okay to have a drink" and then my body basically told me "knock it off, young man, I know what you're thinking." So I said "message received" and threw it away.

Every day I feel better so I'm not really complaining. It was a fleeting thing.

[dominosarah]

Well young man you are important to us so we had to give you some tough love......sara

[Westguy1003]

Naturally :-)

[narla]

I had the same feelings 2 weeks ago,my voice of reason telling me it would be ok now because I've proven I can control it,yeah right!!!!
I got on here and posted and got my butt kicked back to reality.

I was having trouble with dizziness up until about a month ago,but it seems to of settled down now,I'm 345 days clean,it stinks how you still have to keep your guard up,will we ever be able to relax.

We've got our 30th wedding anniversary coming up and there will be people there drinking but I  won't be,Too many people know of my struggle and will be there for me,even my life coach who is helping me with the addiction will be there,so I intend to have a great night alcohol free.

Denise

[peacetiff]

You know this same thing happened to me when I was at the beginning of recovery. I felt the dizziness weak knees, there was nothing medically wrong with me, it was because I was going to do something that was going to cause me pure hell. If you have a higher power I would thank him!!!! And remember God does for us what we can't do for ourselves. You had a major victory and you should be very proud of yourself!!!!!  In my experience, when I said I was only going to drink for one night, I would go on a 2 week binge, and I would have to detox all over again!!!

[rod44]

I dont have to tell you just how lucky you have been, relapse can kill you.

Some medications can cause dizziness.
Anxiety & depression something we all suffer when we first stop can also cause dizziness, a doctor is the best person to see about this.

Bang in the meetings and remember stay away from that first drink.....


Ray

[julez1]

Wow, I'm so glad that your body intervened before you had the chance to take that first sip.  I am starting to believe that everything happens for  reason!  :)  Glad you threw that "devils water" away, LOL.  Keep up the good work, and stay strong!  We are rooting for ya!

[serenity2870]

Good for you that you in the end resisted the temptation.  For me the hardest part would be throwing away that yummy vodka (used to be my drink of choice)
I myself have been sober 112 days now and I tell you I am not healthy.  I thought quiting drinking would magicaly fix everything and I would be just fine after years and years of abuse.  The alcoholic's thinking lol
Myself I have been having constant stomach pains.dizzy.nausea and the list goes on.  

Let me know what you find out.

[surfin]

Wow!  I'm so glad you listened to your body.  I love stories like that.

Sorry to hear you're having a little trouble.  Your  physical problems could be related to your spiritual health.  That was the case for me.  I had some underlying issues that were controlling my thoughts and actions.

Keep up the good work.  And keep us posted.