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

[rpooo]

It's disappointing to hear that my friend. You put yourself through so much and was getting things going good for you. As alcoholics we have trained our minds to reach for the alcohol anytime we have a problem. This will solve nothing and tomorrow you will still have to live with what upset you but also have to deal with giving up your sobriety which you worked and suffered so hard for. Life is full of problems and in order to maintain your sobriety you have to learn to just accept the things that happen in life and figure out how to address them, figure out the best way to cope.
My mother living 2400 miles away at the time had a massive stroke, man I sure wanted to give it up and drink, My daughter 20 years old went to jail (long stupid story) again I wanted so bad to drink. Instead I maintained my sobriety, got myself together and came up with the best things I could do to be there for both of them. Something getting drunk was not going to help with!
The wonderful thing about quitting drinking is we are allowed mistakes and we can recover from them by starting all back over again. Know that you are better than this and that you will be! Stick to your goals and show yourself you can do it! Tomorrow starts a new day so you start again and this time you have to make it! No exceptions this time around. Seek more personal support from family and friends and use Google to find an AA meeting in your area. So many have found the personal support they need from AA, it's really tough when you’re feeling like you are doing this on your own. Do it together with others that have the same goal in common, with your determination show them you can make it too! Tomorrow starts a new day, I hope to hear from you then. Take care.
Randy

[possitive]

dammmmm it ive sliped had a drink tonight after a phone call i didnt like . Sorry i dont use facebook but ill look up SMART Recovery UK. This is the only site i use . Why can i not just be left alone to sort my problems out just as i get my head straight bang another bloody drama . im going to shut up now dont think its wize posting tomuch when drinking .

[Twosandbits]

Hello, I'm really pleased that you are feeling a bit better today, I'm not entirely sure but I think you may be over the most dangerous part of withdrawals. It's good you have your appetite back a little and feel like you can do a bit of exercise, it will really help with your recovery as exercise releases feel good endorphins into your body. If you google PAWS, Post Acute Withdrwal Syndrome it will give you and insight into how you may feel in the months to come. Articles about PAWS are really useful because after you stop drinking you usually go on a natural high (after withdrawals) but at some point you will have a slump which is normal too, it's just good to be aware of this so you are not shocked by it. Do you have any more support other than this website? I am a member of SMART Recovery UK and there website has a forum where you can post and get advice or just have a moan haha! They also have a chat room and tools to aid recovery. Are you on face book? If so I can add you to the group, if you want too you can send me a personal message on this site, then I can find you on face book and add you to SMART Recovery. It is a closed group and confidential so it won't show up on your face book page or anything.

I hope you are having a good a day as possible :-) speak soon.

[possitive]

Hope your feeling better today Twosandbits . Last night was night that bad i woke up once  felt like id been hit by a train when i got up this morning . Im feeling pretty good now 4 days is the longest ive done without a drink . Thanks for the positive comment s . The goal is to go for a short bike ride today but i will see as this may not be a good idear just yet may need abit more time . Im eating now not alot but its a start . Ive allso notice my thinking pattern is slower and not as random think things are starting to get back to normal allmost forgot what normal was . I want to just say to all you guys girls out there you can do it  and please dont give up on yourself  :-)

[possitive]

Thanks i hope you feel better tomorrow  :-)

[Twosandbits]

Oh and just on the eye thing you mentioned, I think it is probably normal as your whole body and senses will be absolutely super super sensitive, your brain is waking up after years of being dormant so be prepared to feel all sorts of strange sensations, they will settle. If you are worried you can always seek medical advice. I found that the medical profession was a lot more understanding and helpful once they new I was fighting against my addiction and wanted to get better :-)