Day 2 -Severely depressed

[luna208]

I had my last drink binge on Wednesday. Woke up Thursday hideously ill.
No booze Friday and today. So depressed and angry. Racing heart, stomach ache.
When will I start to feel better. Have an appointment with doc on Monday to ask for naltrexone or Campral.
Should I have these or Anti-depressants.?
Advice please.

[lboogie7729]

Congrats on 8 days, that's great! I'm on day 3 and feeling better myself.

[luna208]

Thanks for your comments.
I am 8 days without alcohol and feeling pretty good.
L

[ibizan]

Sooooo....what about a support group?been to one?going 2 try one?counseling?any sober /clean friends?glad ur feeling better!

[luna208]

Thanks I get the dog thing now.
Feeling loads better after just a couple of days. Medications seems to be kicking in and controlling cravings. Did quit once before for 8 weeks but it was really white knuckle stuff and I decided I could moderate again which turned out to be crap then it became even harder this time I couldn't stop without help. So glad I finally went to the Doctor.

[boogieman]

Hello. You're exactly right. There is no quick fix for alcoholism. Rather its a series of decisions and actions that will enable you to make progress one day at a time. Its crucial to become involved in aftercare, which many find in support groups like AA, as well as counseling. You've made the first step in asking for help, just keep moving forward! Take care, GM

[ibizan]

u can take Campral for up to a year...maybe longer....not totally sure with the Revia.The most dificult part of stopping alcohol/drugs is staying stopped...ever try b4?

[luna208]

Thanks
Doctor gave me Campral 3 times a day, Revia once at night, for 28 days.
Fingers crossed this will take the pain out of it!
Does anyone know how long you can take these drugs for? I think I need support for more than 1 month.

[boogieman]

Hello. Glad you're hanging in there and hope you have a beneficial doctor visit. Just be honest. Let us know how it goes. Take care, GM

[ibizan]

like working dog said he and I are old friends who share a common love of dogs!Sleep aids can be habit forming like Ambien and Lunesta.Hope your taking one that isn't......Remeron and Restoril are a few that aren't.You are like a huge bottle.....u pour all your emotions in it and then pour alcohol on top which deadens them.Then when u sober up those emotions are raw and fester like an angry sore that seems to keep seeping.It took me quite awhile to come to grips with that in my recovery and how to learn how to deal with anger sober.Are you in counseling?

[working dog]

ibizan and i are old friends...we both have dogs and joke around a little...anyway..i was going to say the gatoraide thing that jacker said...when i was dizzy..light headed i think gatoaide might have helped to restore my electrolytes....it took me a long time of feeling like i was going to faint to figure this out..and just because your withdrawals may not be that bad don't go back to drinking...i've seen a lot of folks go back after a couple weeks thinking its no big deal for them..and of course it always comes back worse then before...i would expect anxiety for a year or two..good luck..hope you make it..keep posting...billy

[luna208]

Not sure how the dog comment is supposed to be helpful.

[luna208]

Thanks for your comments, I appreciate very much.
Feeling marginally better today. I took a sleeping pill last night so I git some sleep at least. Eating a **** load of sweets. Have been drinking between 1 to 2 bottles of wine per night for 10 -15 years. Have started taking Vitamin B complex. Head feels foggy and very fatigued. Anger seems to be the biggest problem the last 24 hours.

[ibizan]

U must not do it again.....dogs HATE the smell of a drunk person!:)

[Jacker]

Good advice here. I have no experience with the meds, but your symptoms are very common. The length and severity will depend on how much and how long you have been drinking, but the worst of the physical symptoms are gone in 7-10 days  You will still have symptoms afterward as your body acclimates to the lack of alcohol, but they will be more minor.

Aside from the water, it's not a bad idea to have Gatorade.  In regards, to vitamins, a B-Complex goes a long way towards restoring some balance in your system. Go easy on the caffeine while your heart is racing too.  

One final note- alcohol is a sugar, and you can ease the cravings with something sugary....just don't overdo it.  It can be as simple as putting some honey in your water or in some herbal tea.  Or have some hard candy.  

I'm glad you're seeing a doctor......stay the course........this will pass.

[working dog]

boogieman and ibizan have some really good input here...i wonder if you have anyone to stay with you the next few days...alcohols a real drag..and withdrawals can last a while..the worse for me were from day 4 to about 2 weeks...and it was no party after that for some time...if i did it again i would get a doc right away and some help..hang in there and good luck...billy

[boogieman]

Howdy. You're experiencing classic withdrawal symptoms. How long and how often have you been drinking? Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, as seizures, cardiac arrest, and a condition called delirium tremens can occur. These are typically treated with benzodiazepine sedatives that are gradually tapered off in a medically supervised detox. I know how you feel, the first few days especially are pure he11, but there are a few things that will help. Drink LOTS of water. Try to eat at least a little, things like soup at first. Take vitamins, as chronic drinkers tend to have inadequate nutrition, depriving the body of things like thiamine. Moderate exercise can be beneficial as well. Insomnia is likely to be a factor as well, and benadryl can help with that. Just remember, you can get through this, and once you do, you never have to do it again. Keep posting as to how you're doing, there are others here as well that have been where you are and are more than willing to help. Take care, GM

[ibizan]

i'd go with the Campral.when will u feel better?how many years have u drank for?how much and what and how often?Rome wasn't built in a day and u didn't get to the point u r at in a few weeks or few months.It will take some time for the physical and emotional feel good to set in.a support group 12 step or otherwise sober peers and counseling will help.....the Campral alone is not a cure.There is no cure for this...only arrest it with total abstinence from the drink and all other drugs!