Effects of alcohol on the body.

[1_worried]

I have been suffering from severe anxiety lately and started taking medication for it.  I recently quit drinking and this is the 9th day.  I am so consumed with fear that I caused severe damage to my liver and can't stop thinking about it.  I have dry mouth all the time and can't taste food like I used to.  I went to the doctor this past Monday and told him about my drinking.  I am scheduled to go back in a month for a complete physical.  I am wondering if my symptoms are the effects of heavy drinking and anxiefty.  How long does it take for the effects of alcohol to go away and me start feeling good again.  I don't even want to drink.  I hope I haven't severely damaged by liver.  Can someone provide some insight?  How long does it take for your body to recover?

[ibizan]

Narla has given you excellent advice.I hope you get some bloodwork done be honest with your doctor if u have one and do more than stay in touch!

[1_worried]

Thanks for the support.  I'll keep in touch.

[narla]

The doctor will do a blood test to check your liver,
I was a heavy drinker (alcoholic) for 34 years I also abused codeine for 20 years,I can only tell you what happened to me.
3 years ago my doctor did a blood test to check my liver function,a normal reading should be between 0 and 35 mine was 45,she mentioned it but wasn't too worried.2 years later she tested again and it had jumped to 105 it tripled in 2 years,now she was worried and called me in.She asked me what I had been doing,so I told her the truth I was drinking 3 to 4 litres of strong spirits in a week and taking around 240mg of codeine a day.

She explained if I didn't stop I would do permanent damage,I was about to become a Grandma and wanted to see him grow up so with the help of my doctor I stopped both,3 months later I had another blood test and my liver function was back to 45,but she has warned me if I start to drink again it will rise quickly and eventually will not recover.

I have now been clean for just over a year,I had anxiety and depression,I worked through this with my doctor and I also have addiction counselling which will be ongoing in my recovery,aftercare is the most important part of recovery,it is vital to staying clean.

My depression and anxiety lasted a couple of months,but every now and then I can still get anxious that's why we need aftercare.

Good Luck in your recovery and keep posting,let us know how you are going

Denise

[1_worried]

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.