Irreversible Damage?

[seanaynay]

Hi all,

I am a 23 year old male, 180 lbs, 6 ft. I started drinking heavily at 19 or 20 years old, before that I drank lightly. Almost every weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) I would binge drink up to 10+ drinks in any combination of wine, beer, or liquor each night. I felt it was pretty typical for a college student. At least I thought all my friends were doing it. I believe I have become dependent on alcohol and I would really like to quit. Recently I have begun to feel what I believe are symptoms of alcohol abuse such as hazy memory bloated stomach and tingling in my extremities. I am very fearful that I have done irreversible damage to my organs such as my liver and kidneys heart and stomach. If I quit alcohol now for the rest of my life is the damage done reversible? How can I find some answers to this  question? What kind of damage can three years of  heavy drinking do? I've done some research and have only found examples of what happens after 20 years of long-term drinking. But I've got no more than four or five years of binging under my belt.

Thank you,
Sean

[Nighthawk61]

http://www.livestrong.com/article/108918-cleanse-human-liver-toxins/

I too am happy to hear that you are dealing with this problem, before your body is damaged. I agree with bahamamamma about getting a clean bill of health from your MD, and I'll be hoping that it all comes out clean.

This is one short web page with a couple of more steps to detoxify your liver.

Best of luck with your quitting drinking, it may not seem like it now, but you won't even miss the stuff in a few years, if you're like me you won't even like the smell of it, it you should come in contact with it, which i rarely have, for years now.

[bahamamama13165]

I'm so happy to hear you went to an AA meeting. Definitely keep going back. Do you have health insurance? If so you should get a check up with blood work.  That will check your liver and kidney function.  It will put your mind ease I'm sure. Stay off the booze and drink lots of water, you'll be healthy :-) Good job so far!

[seanaynay]

I went to my first AA meeting tonight. It was great talking to them. I want to go until I feel like I am 100% sober. I just hope I haven't destroyed my body.

[bahamamama13165]

Can you quit? I would urge you to do so now before you get further along. When I was your age I was binge drinking, thinking all my college friends were doing it.  But I knew I had a problem. I ignored it and went on partying for another 10 years.  Then those friends got their act together, had careers and families.  I had a full blown addiction.  I WISH I quit at your age. Yes, your body will bounce back from the abuse you've given it. The liver can regenerate. Your memory/mind will be less muddled.  Just quit drinking alcohol.  Drink lots of water to flush your body out.  Exercise and eat healthy and you'll be fine.  If you find you can't quit.  Contact your local AA.  They will help/ support you and you can meet sober friends. Quit now! Good luck.

[seanaynay]

Anyone out there?