Addiction, Recovery Forum - Withdrawing From Alcohol

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Q: Withdrawing From Alcohol - Am I Over the Worst?

asked by: lupuschick on September 9th, 2007

New User

Hello, I've made myself really ill from drinking too much. I'm not sure just how much it was, but I was hooked to the point where I could not sleep any longer than 5 hours without experiencing withdrawal effects.

Last week I had, and am still treating a severe kidney infection. The alcohol was just too much for me anymore (I have many health problems, and was making them all completely worse, and it had gotten to the point where drinking is no longer "fun" - I was drinking to avoid withdrawal).

I severely tapered down my drinking Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (I've been feeling just miserable - that and with the kidney infection). I had two last drinks yesterday morning, dumped the rest, and haven't had a drink since. I've been treating tremors since last week with Tempazepam - this really eased up on my tremoring and my heart racing, and I'm pretty much over the sweats.

Is there more to expect that comes a few days after quitting? Also, my stomach hurts, and I'm very constipated, and my stomach is swollen - like it hurts to suck it in. I have a sensation of gas being entrapped, and I just can't get rid of it.

any thoughts?

Replies(2)

PghMom

replied on September 10th, 2007

New User

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I have gone with withdrawal just recently and I was told I needed to be hospitalized for detox. I wasn't because I declined due to the fact that I think my therapist wanted to make more money and have me admitted to inpatient rehab. However, that's not the point. What helped was I drank herbal teas, (chamomile really helped my stomach) and nibbled on pretzels. I drank water when I could, but it was the tea that helped. I also drank sleepy time tea and mint. You sound like you are in so much pain and I think that staying away from the alcohol will only help you get better. Pain will feel worse because your body is waking up again. BUT it sounds like you need to get to a doctor because of your swollen stomach, you could have a blockage, you could not, but the only way to find out is if you see a doctor. But if you are reluctant to go, I suggest the chamomile tea, even if you hate it, because it's natural and a few cups can act as a laxative. Make sure you take vitamins too. Have you taken any B's or a multi? That helps get your body back on track too.
Good luck. Please let me know how things work out.

shadowalker164

replied on September 10th, 2007

Experienced User

Mostly by this point, you are clear. Acute withdrawal symptoms would have set in almost immediately after quitting drinking. People who drink two quarts of Vodka every day for years suffer really bad withdraws, some of them actually die, others go into delirium tremens. Am not sure which is worse.

But most of us go through what you are going through. It’s crappy, but it won’t kill you.

You asked the question, “Is there more to expect that comes a few days after quitting?”

One of the most common and dangerous symptoms of this disease, sets in a few days after we quit. And that symptom is “I think I pulled the plug on my drinking too soon.” Or “I am making too big a deal of this drinking business, I am sure a few won’t hurt me.” Or my favorite. “I am not really an alcoholic”

That symptom gets more of us drunk than almost anything else. The worst symptom of this disease is the insane notion/belief that we don’t have it.

That is where a recovery group comes in so handy, each of us have had those thoughts, it is very helpful to have friends remind us what it was like the week before we quit drinking.

Richard

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