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Quitting Alcohol - physical side effects?

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
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Avatar universal
Hi, I'm  a 43 year old that is in good shape, 5' 11", 200 lbs and like to drink alcohol. I didn't think that I was drinking that much, but my body said otherwise and I started having PVC's, which will give you the effect that your heart skips a beat. Then, I would drink coffee the next day and my palpitations would start.
The doctor said that he did not know how they start and when they would end.
Well, let me tell you guys a little about my bad habits,. I thought that I was not drinking a lot of alcohol but I was wrong!!
A few years ago I was taking shots of whiskey and started drinking my homemade beer every other day.  I thought I would try something healthier and I started drinking red wine.  All of a sudden I started to feel my heart palpitating.  I started searching the internet to see what the heck this was.
Everything I read seemed to be describing PVC's or palpitations. The doctor had also confirmed it.
I stopped drinking for about 3 months and the PVC's really slowed down and I noticed that if I  had a cup of coffee in the morning I would feel the PVC's a little stronger..
So, I started slowing down on my alcohol drinking.I had stopped drinking alcohol for about 2 weeks and was drinking my usual morning coffee and I noticed that I was not having any PVC's nor palpitations. This somewhat confirmed to me that I was drinking way too much alcohol.
So, if this sounds like this maybe happening to you, then slow down on the alcohol intake and your PVC's will eventually stop.
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Avatar universal
Hi Cat I'm really glad to see you come back although sorry you are still drinking But You can change that today ! Your budding relationship would benefit so much from you being sober That is one of my biggest regrets is drinking during my marriage It added a element to it that was negative and contributed to my lack of self esteem.. Although I drank a lot and everyday I did not have Major wd Mine were Anxiety to the Max restlessness racing thoughts these kids of things.. The safest way to detox is with your Dr. on board.. This all lasted for a few weeks if I remember right but what I do remember is the cravings That was the most difficult That is why many attend AA meeting to help them navigate the craving and Just for the support of others that understand what you are going thru.. You can get sober this is for sure It all is up to you and how badly you want it.. Keep posting for support ! lesa
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much !  I'm still struggling.  I came back to this site without realising it was me who wrote the comment.  I have only just read your really inspiring response THANK YOU SO MUCH.  I hope you are still doing so well.  I guess I'll have to just cut back and then cut out.  Perhaps drink every 2 days if day 3 is the seizure likely day?  

best wishes, Cat
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Avatar universal
Dear Loganlea

Thank you for your reply - I came across my post again by accident, looking for help.  I failed in my attempt to give up and am trying now.  It's not working though.  I hate being dependent upon this drug.  
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Avatar universal
Dear Lesa, I can't believe I've just read this post.   I wrote that in 2011 when I was looking for help.  I have just read my own post and slowly realised that it was me...  Wow,  I've been heavily drinking for so long.  Hadn't realised how long!   :-(  Still Fat.  I've had cancer twice.  I now drink 35cl vodka most nights.  If not vodka, then wine.  I just want to stop.  I don't even know what I'm hiding from through my drinking.  Life has thrown me a few challenges I suppose.  I tend only to drink only at night.  If I stop cold turkey - will I get seizures?  I tried to cut down yesterday - but ended up not.  I'm so miserable about it.  I have a lovely partner now and he has no idea of the extent - although he says I drink too much - he doesn't know the half of it.   If I do cold turkey - what are the signs that I would need alcohol to avoid illness?
Helpful - 0
3060903 tn?1398565123
THIS IS A VERY OLD POST FROM 2007 AND THE POSTER IS NOT LIKELY TO READ YOUR COMMENTS.

One way to find out if the poster is around is to go into their profile page and see if there's anything recent. NEW POSTS ARE BUMPED DOWN if there are many comments made to old posts, and some do not any comments because of it. >  PLEASE consider posting your own thread on in the ALcoholism Community so that you can have people help you directly with your sobriety as most will not respond to the older posts. All the best.
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