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

[crankbonkers]

Quitting alcohol addiction is not as easy it seems because of the symptoms involved. People mistakenly think that it is easy to give up the habit as well as to overcome any side effects: physically, psychologically and emotionally.

[24penny68]

I'm 40, fairly thin, and drink 5 or 6(or more) drinks a night.  I have taken days off of drinking, but not more than 1 or 2 in a row.  I'm quitting cold turkey, but I haven't slept more than 3 hours a night.  I can barely function!  Should I have 2 drinks a night for a while?  I'm afraid I'm enabling myself...I'm afraid my kids will find me having a seizure...I'm petrified I would be able to stop drinking.

[Telmet]

I recently stopped drinking 2 days ago CT and now I've been getting facial numbness, dizziness, problems breathing, high BP, and running a temp anywhere from 99 - 100. Should I have a few beers and ween myself off rather than CT because this is pure hell! BTW used to drink 15-20 beers/day. 5'9" 140lbs. 30 years old

[jack123463]

Am i a alcoholic?
I drink x1 large bottle of Bicardi per week mixed with coke.
Don`t drink beer or wine.
I`m just worried that every evening i need the same routine,i don`t even like feeling drunk !
Do i need to worry, as i`m 56 and concerned that my insides and brain will cancer up.
I have just had the flu and have not touched any for x1 week--now is my time to keep it up now i have started !
Am i a alcky on x1 bottle ?

[Blessed_Mimi]

When I quit drinking I stopped cold turkey. I was a stone cold alcoholic but through the grace of God I was able to conquer that addiction. Now on the flip side of things my body did go through a big change emotionally for the first couple of weeks. I have always been a person to have panic attacks but as soon as I stopped drinking they became worse. I have always had hormone problems ever since I had my partial hysterectomy I believe that what caused me to start drinking like I did in the first place. But if u can cut down the amount and in the place of taking a drink find a positive outlet to take your mind off of the alcohol. Some days will be easier than others but with faith anything is possible.

[working dog]

so your saying to ignore people you know that have an alcohol problem? i know i wish i knew what alcohol withdrawal was....i had no idea......i think i almost killed myself quitting the stuff....i used to ask friends if they thought i was drinking too much and asked if i might be an alcoholic....they said "you have nothing to worry about"......i thought i had a problem....finally when a dog i had was dying of cancer i just couldn't drink...i wanted to be straight as that was going down fast.....he died and about 4 days after i stopped drinking i was going into full withdrawals....i thought i was dying ....went to the docs...he said drink 5 or 6 beers a day and cut them back....i did....within 6 weeks i was off alcohol....my withdrawals were so bad...i later found out i had hep c...it can make withdrawals 7 times worse...so i thank my dog the most....i wish i was on this forum early on...the anxiety i had was hard to believe...for about 2 years....i talk with people all the time about alcohol....i think its worse then heroin to stop...i have helped people out by being open about my alcohol addiction...these books are good too........good luck...hope you stay clean....billy