Quitting Alcohol - physical side effects?

[abcdabcd]

I started drinking about a half liter of vodka a day around 2 years ago. 3 months ago I decided I want to stop, but I decided I should cut-down to avoid any withdrawls, so I stopped drinking vodka completely and now I drink 3 - 24 oz. cans of beer a night, a 6 pack.

I read that if you stop cold turkey, you can go through DT's and seizures.  The thought of this makes me feel like having a panic attack.  Is your body dependant on the amount of alcohol or alcohol period?

Should I continue to cut-down since I'm having success with this method? Maybe cut down to two beers, for a week, and then 1 beer, and then stop? Is cutting down slowly a good way to avoid side effects? Is my body getting used to not having alcohol? My stomach now feels better, less gas, and my apetite has increased.

I'm not going to have any psychological withdrawls, I feel good without drinking, I'm just worried about the physical withdrawls.

I know some people are going to mention to go to a hospital, but I have a thing about hospitals and don't like them, besides I'm broke and unemployed.


Thanks

[Twosandbits]

You are welcome Possitive, keep going with the eating the more you eat the less likely you are to binge on alcohol. I'm not talking making yourself obese here ha! It's just your body will get the sugar it needs through food so the less your cravings will be for alcohol. Practice a healthy eating pattern for damage limitation and take good care of yourself, just don't forget that your drinking was worrying you :-)

[possitive]

Hi all sorry its been a while ive been fighting my demons and allthough its hard ive been taking my time .im not seeking any help but i have cut my drinking down alot . I used to start drinking 5 6 tea time and never eat and keep drinking all night . Now i eat tea time and drink at 830 ish . Im much better takeing it at my own pace. I think i rushed it first time around and felt bad for messing up . Thanks to you for the help more so Twosandbits . Take care love scott

[Twosandbits]

Hello Possitive, I'm glad you are getting more help and hope you are going to stay with us here, it's hard to stop drinking alone, but alone you are not!

Hoping you are ok :-)

[rpooo]

Hello Possitive with two "S's" lol It's good to hear you are seeking further help and staying on the right track this time! Isn't twosandbits amazing! She has an amazing story and so will you. Keep up the good work your going to make it this time my friend! Take care.

Randy

[rpooo]

Hello and welcome to MedHelp.

Unfortunately I don't think I can offer any really good suggestions concerning how to quit safely that hasn't already been mentioned repeatedly in this thread.

However I can tell you that you have some very good reasons for concern since it is having an effect on your health. That is a lot of alcohol for someone your size and I suspect the symptoms you described are due to the alcohol abuse. I strongly recommend you quit before any permanent damage is made to your liver. Never think your too young to get liver disease, I was only ten years older at the time of my diagnosis. It's a medical fact that woman do not metabolize alcohol as easy as men.

I think you are on the right track but as you probably already know quitting drinking is very difficult and in your work atmosphere It could make it seem nearly impossible to maintain your sobriety. Any ideas there?

I think it is important you get to your doctor for blood work this will give him/her direction in figuring out the best way to treat you and helping you feel better. It will be very important for you be honest with your doctor about the amount you drink so they will test appropriately. Liver damage is always a possibility for anyone abusing alcohol and catching it in time is critical.

I hope this helps lead you in the right direction and I wish the best for you! Please feel welcome to post any further questions and to update us with how you are doing :) Take care!

Randy

[possitive]

Hi there are you taking the blood pressure medicine aswell as drinking ? If so i think it would be best to see your doctor and be honest about how much you drink and that you feel somewhat dependant on drink . Did you tell your doctor about how much you drink before he gave you blood pressure medicine ? if not drink could be the reason your haveing blood pressure problems . Im no doctor and im just learnig the ins and outs of drinking ive had some great info from here and it helped me do what i have to do . Problem is with drinking to much or being drink dependant is we tend to burn candles at both ends . Feeling like crap most morning can soon become the norm so your not on your own there . quit safely at home have someone around to keep a eye on you . I tried it on my own i must say it was hell for me i went 3 days without a drink and crashed on day 4 i am now seeking help because i can not do it on my own . So really seeing your doctor is the best way forward i think . Hope this helps you take care