Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
I know I drink way more than I should, but last week I had blood work done. My AST was 153 my ALT was 74 and my ALP was within normal range of 79. My doctor said I really need to make some lifestyle changes...I agree. But I am scared. I know I would feel better as far as health and energy, but the withdrawls are what I am scared of. Any input on coping with withdrawls would be greatly appreciated. My Best Friend go a DUI 3 weeks ago, got arrested etc....and that was her last drink...that was her wake up call. My health is mine!
Here's a little info about me..I am a 36 year old stay home mom of 3. Been drinking for about 10 years...not heavily until about a year ago. Now I consume about 5 glasses of wine a day....on the weekends hubby and I drink whiskey... I am tired of waking up feeling like crap...the only thing that makes me feel better is drinking....vicious cycle.
I have heard that withdrawls is like a hangover. Sweats, tired, shakey etc...lasting for a few days if not longer.
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
Well you've made the right decision but it's not an easy one, you have to be ready to fight this fight and win.
Alchohol withdrawals or DT's are a lot more than a hangover. Alcohol is classified as "Sedative-Hypnotic", as such they have a strong propencity to induce psychological dependance and the psychological aspect can be far more difficult to beat than the physical aspect. Getting the thought out of your mind that you need to drink can take months and most likely you'll be tempted for the rest of your life. You won't ever be able to take a drink again, not even just one at a social occasion.
The physical signs of withdrawal can include Agitation, Anxiety and panic attacks, Tremors, Depression, Diarrhea, Nausea and vomiting, Headache, Hypertension, Fever, Insomnia, Irritability, Headaches, Palpitations, Restlessness, Seizures, Sweating, Tachycardia, Loss of Appetite and Weakness.
It doesn't mean that you'll automatically have all of those symptoms, but you need to know what is possible and be prepared. Withdrawals can last anywhere from 7 days to a month or more, it just depends on the person, their body chemistry, health, how much they drank, how long, etc. There is no way to tell how long you will have withdrawals.
Having a support group and people who are going through the same thing you are can be a great help when your detoxing. AA helps many people, seeing a therapist helps some people, you have to find what works for you. Don't kid yourself, this isn't like getting over a hangover and in a few days you'll be fine....it is a battle and you'll be battling for quite a while. BUT, it is definitely worth it.
Hang in there,
Kat
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to katlin09 For This Useful Post: candyheart (04-30-2012), Marriedguy (04-24-2012)
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
mamma,
Congratulations on your decision to quit drinking! I quit 20 years ago, I was drinking every night, had the tremors, had horrible hangovers every morning and had to start drinking earlier and earlier every day to get rid of the horrible feelings! I was drinking about 1/2 gallon or cheap wine a night, sometimes with beer, with hard liquor. I started drinking mostly at home so I didn't have to drink and drive. I did that enough and am lucky I never killed someone or got into an auto accident.
I went to an after work rehab for a month, my company insurance paid 100% of it and it helped tremendously. Do you have any resources like this?
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
I drank because that was the thing to do after work, at parties, etc. I was 36 when I quit drinking too. The withdrawals weren't too bad because I didn't have time to feel/experience them all that much - I was at work from 8am-5pm then at the after work rehab from 5pm to 9pm and on Saturdays from 8am-noon. Oh I sure remember the shakes and the cravings for weeks, months?? but not having hangovers every day sure made up for that!
Sometimes I am out with friends and wish I could just have that one drink, but I know I can't. I don't understand how/why people can stop at one or two, I sure couldn't and still can't I would guess. One drink didn't make me feel normal, it made me want a second, a third and tenth, etc! I didn't stop until I passed out and that was every night. Oh those horrid hangovers, they were the worst!!
You will quit when you are ready or when you reach your bottom. Just please don't drink and drive!
The following user gives a hug of support to SanyBelle: Phoenix (04-29-2012)
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
Sany Belle....Thank you for your responses. I know it's not gonna be easy to quit, but I know I will feel so much better in the long run. I know when my Mom quit drinking she had a sparkle in her eyes....and looked so much younger. Full of energy. I just need to prepare myself for the WD's. Any advice on how to deal with them. I have a dr appt. in 3 weeks...I will talk to her about meds that may help.
__________________
The following user gives a hug of support to mommaoftwinsplus1: Tysmom1 (04-29-2012)
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
Hi there! My doc is opiates so I am inexperienced in alcohol dt's. HOWEVER, addiction is addiction and I am so glad and so supportive to you for making the right decision! Good luck and hang in there!
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
I'm in the same place you are right now, age and all. I thought I would be able to just stop drinking but that only lasteda week and a half. I have been drinking about 9 beers a night for at least 5 years. Thankfully for the short time that I stopped I didn't have the physical withdrawl. The psycological part is alot harder for me. I wish you the best in your quest to be sober.
The Following User Says Thank You to Reeny706 For This Useful Post: mommaoftwinsplus1 (04-30-2012)
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
I know that your scared of the withdrawals when you quit drinking, but think carefully before asking your Dr. about meds to help. Any prescription meds that he will give you will generally be psych meds of some sort and they will have addictive properties. Your already prone to addictions.
Trying to cure an addiction by taking another addictive substance is not really a good idea.
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
Have you tried to quit before and had the DT's ? if so was it after a night of heavy drinking?, 5 glasses a night isnt that much, I don't think, maybe you wont suffer that much if you try while you are not drinking to excess. I drank more than that and gave up with no withdrawal symptoms at all and feel much better for it, for me, after a few days I forgot about drinking all together
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
Hello everyone. (I just joined & this is my first post.) I wanted to chime in about withdrawal. I was absolutely desperate & determined to quit, so I did it by sipping beer. I was a round-the-clock drinker in the end, and I couldn't go into re-hab, so I chose that way so I wouldn't feel the full impact of withdrawal symptoms. It did help, but it's dangerous. My blood pressure spiked - and I was warned (after the fact) that I could've had a heart attack or stroke, so be careful.
Glad you see what needs to be done here - wish I had when I was only in my 30's. My life would've been very different.
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
Quote:
Originally Posted by gothling
Have you tried to quit before and had the DT's ? if so was it after a night of heavy drinking?, 5 glasses a night isnt that much, I don't think, maybe you wont suffer that much if you try while you are not drinking to excess. I drank more than that and gave up with no withdrawal symptoms at all and feel much better for it, for me, after a few days I forgot about drinking all together
Gothling...I have not tried to completly quit. No more heavy heavy drinking for me....The bad hangovers are still fresh in my mind...shakes, vomitting, no energy, sweating but cold... good to hear you didn't have withdrawl symptoms...I have heard from others that they also did not have withdrawls. Makes me feel better about quitting!
Re: Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hevyn
Hello everyone. (I just joined & this is my first post.) I wanted to chime in about withdrawal. I was absolutely desperate & determined to quit, so I did it by sipping beer. I was a round-the-clock drinker in the end, and I couldn't go into re-hab, so I chose that way so I wouldn't feel the full impact of withdrawal symptoms. It did help, but it's dangerous. My blood pressure spiked - and I was warned (after the fact) that I could've had a heart attack or stroke, so be careful.
Glad you see what needs to be done here - wish I had when I was only in my 30's. My life would've been very different.
Thanks for chimming in Hevyn...I have cut way back...allowing myself to sip on one glass of wine a day. Hopefully I keep feeling this good. I have had more energy...
Really really want and NEED to quit drinking, but scared 
I was drinking about 1/2 gallon or cheap wine a night, sometimes with beer, with hard liquor. I started drinking mostly at home so I didn't have to drink and drive. I did that enough and am lucky I never killed someone or got into an auto accident.
