Going through alcohol withdrawl

[Chuck99]

Hey. For the past 6 days , Ive been going through alcohol withdrawl . I am 18 years old , and have been drinking 4-5 times a week for about a year or so . I went to my doctor , and he gave me Lorazepam to help with the withdrawls . I was wondering how many more days I should expect withdrawl to continue , and if taking Lorazepam is a good idea (only taking it for a few days )

[Chuck99]

No help on this one ? :(

[alexandra_r]

Sorry Chuck--it seems that a lot of people who usually visit the forum are MIA--probably because of the labor day weekend.  I don't really know all that much about alcohol withdrawal because I don't like and have never liked drinking.  However, I do know people from treatment who WERE alcoholics and they were usually given some form of benzodiazapine (Lorezepam is one) for the first few days of withdrawal.  I know that this probably helped them out a lot.  The trick is to quit doing those before you get dependent on them because the kick from benzos can make your alcohol w/d look like a walk in the park.



Good luck--and welcome to the forum.

[Chuck99]

Thanks Alexandra . I don't plan on getting addicted to Lorazepam , I am ONLY taking it untill my bottle runs out ( 24 1MG tablets) . Once the withdrawl is over , I will not be taking it anymore

[dru123]

I wish you a complete recovery. You sound like your ready. Most people your age aren't. Good luck, and keep posting here if you feel the need. It helps alot of people. Peace!!

[Chuck99]

Thanks Dru . I realized I had a drinking problem , and I think going through withdrawl is what was needed for me to stop drinking and open up my eyes a little bit more . I hope to gain mental strength from this experience . The support everyone (family, friends ) has given me has really been helping .

[Chuck99]

One more question . If I dont drink anymore (and I am not) , will I experience withdrawl again ? Or does it just occur once ? I hope I dont have to go through this again

[AlexisInTx]

Hi - I'm not familiar with alcohol withdrawals, so I don't have any good advice to give you, but wanted to give you my support and encouragement for quitting like you're doing.  We all know that giving up something that we have enjoyed, yet is ruining our lives (whether it be alcohol, drugs, etc.), is hard but so worth it and necessary for our health and wellbeing.



I used to drink beer on a daily basis years ago (when I would go out to clubs), but never became addicted to it.  So I'm not exactly sure what types of withdrawal can occur, but was curious as to what symptoms you're experiencing now?  I've read that alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous when drinking was done on a daily basis for many years (or less), but am really not knowledgeable about this subject.  Wish I could be of more help to you, but did want to wish you the best.  Keep posting, you'll get wonderful support here.

[dru123]

I'm NOT an expert when it comes to alcohol addiction, so I can't give you any real advice other than what I have seen from friends who have drinking problems. I believe that once you stop drinking and go through the withdrawels, you cannot drink again, otherwise you risk a relapse. From a scientific standpoint, I don't believe that if you had quit for years and had 1 drink you would suffer withdrawels, however it would greatly increase your chances of a relapse. You sound like your alot older and mature than 18, so you already have a headstart in that you realize your problem and have accepted that you have to deal with it. I would advise you to quit hanging around any of your family/friends that you use to drink with, as it will only make it harder for you to stay on the right track. If they don't or can't understand that, than they truely don't care about your own health and future life. You need to try and surround yourself with people and things that will keep you busy and on the right track. Try and be strong!!!! I know it's alot easier said than done. Good luck!!!!Peace!!!

[Chuck99]

Alexis , some of the symptoms I have been having include anxiety , panic , emotional changes , hot flashes , sweating, fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea. Most of that happened the first few days after the last time I drank ( last Saturday night , it's been a week now), and I'm feeling pretty good today :) .Its almost been 24 hours since I last took the Lorazepam , and I dont think I will be needing it anymore (hopefully not). I don't feel 100% , but I'm much better than I was. Hopefully 2 or 3 more days and I will feel normal

[Nawoc]

Hey Chuck..

When I detoxed off alcohol it took about a week... Hang in there, you can do it.  Ciggs were a real test of faith and still are..  Alcohol is just another drug like the opaite familly.



Cold turkey is the only way for alcohol. Remember any 3 day succession of drinking and you will be right back where you started...



Good Luck Dude...

[Chuck99]

Thanks for the info nawoc. I have a question for you . Im starting to feel better , but I feel pretty fatigued . I'm assuming thats normal after all that my body and mind has been through this past week . Can you tell me if I'm correct or incorrect? Or should I be worried ?

[Chuck99]

Im feeling pretty good today (as I was yesterday too). I think the withdrawl is pretty much over , its been 7 days . I'm still feeling axiety though . Is this normal ?

[Chuck99]

Still feeling enxiety. Someone please tell me this is normal because I feel like I'm losing my mind :(

[Caryl]

I stopped drinking for about 4 months just over a year ago.  For the first time in years I felt in control of me and my life.  But since November last year, I've slipped back into my old habits.  I just need a support person to pat my hand now and again and tell me what a wonderful job I'm doing.  Weak, I know, but a day without a drink is about 72 hours long, at least, that's how it feels.  I did it with support before, I'm sure I can do it again.  But now I've lost my support person, and drinking helps deaden that pain as well.  Just wish me luck and ask how I'm doing now again.  Today is day 1, and I'd love a drink already.  Maybe tomorrow, if I'm good.  One day at a time.

[Nawoc]

Hey Chuck..  7 days!  Dude, you made it..  As for the feeling tired, that will go away on the 10th day.  You will start feeling perky after the 11th day. These time periods are not true for everyone. This is true for my body and mind. I quit drinking and smoking many, many times. My last cigarette was April 1, 1989 and last drink was Jan 1 2001. When I look back it don't seem so bad, however, I didn't think that during detox.



After going through detox and all the agony it causes I am not going through that again, I've done that 20 or more times. The seceret to never taking another drink is simple and only a 3 step program instead of the 12 step program AA uses.

1. DON'T BUY IT.

2. DON'T OPEN IT.

3. DON'T DRINK IT.



Good luck Chuck...

[Chuck99]

Thanks for the help everyone . Today is day 12 sober from alcohol :) I'm feeling pretty good . The weird thing is , I was at my friends house 2 nights ago where everyone was drinking  , and I didnt even feel the urge to drink . Its not so bad :)I think the reason I didnt want to drink was because I know how shitty withdrawl was and how much alcohol has messed up my life

[JustinTime]

I posted a couple of comments in the forum, looks like this is the one where i should be posting.  this spring, i got the scare ofmy life, i or what i felt it was, my very first alcohol withdrawls, happened in the afternoon the day after.  lasted for about half hour, scared me to bits.  i called outpatient detox and went to see them. the nurse said it could of been minor symptoms, i stayed clean for 2 and a half mths. i went to all but one of the classes they held, the one i missed, 'relapse and recovery' i had starting working again and my job is during days, and so was their classes. then i let myself go and my thoughts left me, and i started again.  well last night, i over did my limit bit time, and this morning, i am remembering how i felt the morning of, that day i got the withdrawels, it feels like that again this morning, last nite i really let myself go.  i am so upset with my self.  scared.  i really don't want that feeling again.  i am reaching out to all of u.  right now, i haven't talked to anyone about my addiction or that i was even in the outpatient program this spring.  chronic, progessive and incurable, right? today i am sober.

[Kevin_S]

I'm currently going through withdrawl after a few weeks of fairly steady drinking, and some symptoms I'm experiencing are mild twitches in my hands, an inability to focus, and incredible anxiety.

Seeing as how the anxiety has me most concerned and is by far the most uncomfortable symptom, how much of a hastle can I expect if I attempt to get medication for it?  Is it as simple as talking with a physician, or would I have to go through an exhaustive physical and/or mental examination?