Starting over alcohol free
Replies
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Darlene_Oregon wrote: »Hi All,
For those of you that have quit, did you experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms? I want to quit really bad, but I am afraid of withdrawal symptoms. Any advice?
An acquaintance of mine was an addictions counsellor and told me that for alcohol withdrawal, it should be done with the help of a doctor. Apparently it can be extremely dangerous, more so than quitting other types of substances, so don't try to go it alone.1 -
@mrsmeteor
I'm unable to get medical help where I live. A provider I once had (once it was realized that I had no medical options) advised me to taper off gradually. And if my BP was elevated or I had weird headaches to go to urgent care or the hospital. Thank you for your help and I'll see what I can do.2 -
Hey all!
I have been cutting way back on alcohol just drinking wine Fri & Sat. Except for during the stupid bowl had a glass of wine!
I am now finding after I drink I feel nauseous. I don't know why but I think it will definitely help me abstain and that's a good thing.
Cheers and stay strong!0 -
Congratulations on your decision to be sober. Alcohol is deadly, and it can sneak up on you. I think it effects our bodies in ways we don't even imagine. Good for you to be able to choose sobriety. I am cheering you on, I'm sober also, just celebrated 10 years and it's the very very best thing I ever did for myself - full stop. Thanks for sharing.1
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@Darlene_Oregon Here's a link that outlines some of the withdrawal symptoms that people may get when quitting. I don't want you to get scared out of quitting by reading this, I'm just posting it since it will give you an idea of what to look for while your backing off/quitting.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/alcohol-withdrawal
If you can't access medical help for financial reasons, your state/county/town may have some free resources available. You can try an internet search for it.
If the lack of access is because you're in a very rural area where there's just nothing close by, maybe you can get a doctor to work with you through tele-health if your insurance has that (basically a virtual appt. instead of in-person). Also, if you have insurance, maybe you can call them and ask what's available for you.
Just a few suggestions I hope might help. Best wishes to you, please keep us posted.1 -
@SparkSpringtime69 Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. Thank you for your suggestions.
The reason for the lack of access is because we live in a rural area. Plus I wouldn't want to go in to one those 28/30 day treatment programs. I had a friend that went that route in another (larger) town. I went to visit once and I didn't see anyone hooked up to an IV or wearing a BP cuff. It didn't seem that it was a medically supervised detox.
When I had to go to the ICU in 2021, I was hooked up to an IV and constantly wearing a BP cuff. And, I'm not sure what types of meds they were giving me. Probably benzos, anti-nausea meds, possibly antibiotics (due to the esophageal varices). Anyways, unless I was in a hospital or other medical setting, I would rather do it on my own.
I have cut back a little and am feeling a bit better. I actually left the house the other day to go to our local grocery store.
Thanks for your help and I will keep you posted.
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@Darlene_Oregon I agree that tapering is best. I personally went through pretty bad alcohol withdrawals back in 2021. I did not have medical assistance but was advised call 911 at the slightest sign of misgivings. I probably should have but I was stubborn. I was awake for 40 hours, sweating profusely, shakey, and a bit delusional. Just shy of hallucinations. Considering you get the shakes and rely on your husband to keep you going I do believe tapering off is the way to go.
I would like to add that when I was in rehab they checked our blood pressure twice a day from day 6 to 30 and about ever 2 hours for the first 5 days, and some people required IV treatment. Some did not. Everyone's varied from one day to 3. One person went into a coma on day 10 without alcohol as his liver failed. Once he was back from intensive care he nicknamed himself Homer because he looked like a Simpson he was so yellow. It's not always what you think it'll look like from overly dramatized tv shows.
Lastly, the 30 day program isn't for everyone, but it most certainly is effective. It's essentially a kick in the *kitten* in the right direction. It doesn't feel good, but you'll feel good after you're good and free.
That's just me sharing my non professional opinion and experience! Seems I might have the most personal experience of the bunch with programs like that. I did a month in a facility and a month of intensive outpatient therapy (and yet here I am again lol). After about 6 months I fell completely off the wagon and drank nearly everyday for the last 2 years until the 17th of January. There is hope yet for us all haha
You just have to REALLY want it.1 -
Hello just checking back. I have now slipped up twice on drinking, but all in all am doing so much better than I ever thought I would. I have drank two days since Jan 17th and have only had 3 beers total. The most recent slip up was the day before yesterday however and this time -like many times before- it was incredibly difficult to not continue the trend back to a daily habit. I've had to fight being pouty like a toddler because I can't have my beloved rum, but I know rum and I have a toxic relationship and me and alcohol are on a break. Perhaps indefinitely. I also started seeing a substance abuse therapist who gave me a book to try to work through called "The Sober Curious Reset". It doesn't fit my circumstances perfectly but it is helping me reevaluate my relationship with alcohol. I'm looking forward to learning how to better avoid giving into a beer. I have discussed with my husband I would like to keep NA beer stocked in the fridge so I can grab that to resist temptation next time we have a game night.
I hope everyone is doing well and I cheering you on! Much love1 -
Its good to read all of these courageous accounts. I am on Day 3 of no drinking wine. Feeling fine. I am doing it for lent and perhaps afterwards.3
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Hello everyone. Some of you know I have been trying to taper off of alcohol (whiskey is my choice).
My husband has been helping me. But it didn't start out that way. A couple of weeks ago, I would wake up feeling really bad (anxious, pacing, etc). I would ask him to go to the liquor store at 9am when they opened. He would get mad but go anyways. When he would return, he would say "this is the last time I'm going to that store". I talked to him and reminded him that it was dangerous to stop cold turkey. He apologized and agreed to help me.
To make it easier for him, I suggested he go to the store in the afternoon and put it away until the next day. It worked out for a couple of days. But, then not so much. I was measuring out the alcohol and putting it in a separate bottle, but keeping it to add to the next day. Yesterday I ended up drinking close to 750ml again.
So today he went to the store at 9am. I was taking a nap (I had woke up really early). I woke up at 9:30 and I poured 100ml down the sink (I know alcohol abuse). Tomorrow he is going to go at 10am and I will pour out 150ml. The next day will be 10:30 minus 200ml, etc. I think I will be successful this time. I hope to be alcohol free by March 1st.
Good luck to everyone!
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@Darlene_Oregon I'm glad to hear you have a specific plan for tapering off, and that you were able to get out of the house the other day. I hope you're able to make your March 1st goal!
@AmberlyMarlene I've never heard the term "sober curious" before. I was reading about it today after reading your post, I'm going to see if my library has the book. I'm glad to hear you've only had two very small lapses, keep up the good work.
I've been pretty much bouncing between a couple of days on and couple of days off. I haven't been able to go more than 4 days in a row without though, so my goal is to get some longer strings of no drinking going.
Keep going strong everyone!! 1 -
@SparkSpringtime69 I had heard there was a movement of younger peoples gravitating towards it without ever bothering to look further. It's an interesting read that is relatable, but doesn't try to fill your head too much. It's worth looking into even if you don't plan on doing all of the exercises in my opinion.
Some encouragement for ya is I couldn't go more than 4 days in a row either not two months ago, and now I have 35 days with two of them containing minimal drinking. I believe in you! Way to keep being mindful and pushing yourself 0 -
@cccannady congrats on the three days straight.
@AmberlyMarlene thanks so much for the words of encouragement. About a year and a half ago I went for about 4 months without (before then I drank vodka as well as wine/beer). Since then, I haven't wanted vodka at all which is a good thing, but I still seem to crave the wine. If I did 4 months then, I know I can do at least that again now.
Keep up the good work all!
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I've been tapering off of whiskey for the past week. I've been doing pretty well. Yesterday I started drinking at 11am and drank 500ml. For the last couple of months (until now), I had been drinking 750-1000ml daily. What really messed me up was that I would have booze in the house when I went to bed. Thinking I didn't want to suffer in the morning. But, sometimes I would wake up at 3am and have a few drinks. So, I no longer keep the booze overnight. I've just been measuring out the amount I want to drink for the day and pouring the rest out.
I planned on waiting until 11:30 this morning to drink. But I just don't feel like waiting that long today. So I guess I'm going to blow it and start drinking around 10am today. It would be nice if I could stop drinking before dinner and still pour some out. We'll see!
@AmberlyMarlene We seem to have a lot in common. We both had bad withdrawals and detoxed in November of 2021. I actually was hallucinating in the hospital. When I came home, I told my husband, maybe I wasn't hallucinating. But just dreaming. He shook his head "No". He witnessed it.
I also have some liver damage. But I haven't had a scan in almost a year. At that time, the report said I had micronodules. But my liver was normal in size and I had no ascites. I was supposed to have another scan six months later, but I cancelled. Then just recently I had a falling out with my gastroenterologist's office. So I no longer have a GI doctor. I have an appointment to see my PCP next month.
You also mentioned that a man in your rehab went into a coma with liver failure and went to the ICU. But returned and nicknamed himself Homer because he was so yellow. What I didn't understand was you said "It's not always what you think it'll look like from overly dramatized tv shows." I'm not sure if I've ever seen anyone with jaundice on TV. How does it look compared to TV shows? So did the man recover?
Anyways, I'm really afraid that my liver may be even more damaged than before. That's why I want to quit so badly. I did read a new study though that said cirrhosis can sometimes be reversable if you completely quit drinking or using whatever is causing the damage.
Sorry this post is so long. Good luck to everyone!
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My next very important step in my life is to stop drinking alcohol. It is key to my future happiness. Day 1.4
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Darlene_Oregon wrote: »Hi All,
I keep coming back to this discussion because everyone gives me inspiration and it's nice to hear other people's stories.
I don't usually use social media at all. So, I don't know how to reply specifically to a particular person or add someone as a friend (I'm a young 66 years old)
Anyways, I still don't have one day. But, I'm working on it.
Thanks for all the inspiration. I will be back!
It looks like you figured out how to answer people. ;-) I am 68 and I did Dry January this year. It was a total game-changer for me! I drink much less than I did before Dry January and now make it a habit to not drink during the week. I will definitely do Sober October this year too. Good luck with your ongoing battle! You can do this!0 -
@SparkSpringtime69 @AmberlyMarlene There are a ton of sober curious websites out there. Just google "sober curious websites"
Good luck to everyone here. I drank wine every single day for decades. I mentioned in a comment above that I did Dry January and it really changed things for me. I found out that my trigger drink was champagne and if I avoid champagne I do very well. I only drink currently on the weekends and on vacation but I will definitely do Sober October and Dry January again and hope to quit altogether in 2024.2 -
@khahn72856 Are you just starting Day 1? For me, Day 1 is the hardest. But once I make it past Day 1 it's a piece of cake. Good luck!0
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@DietColaLola Yes I did figure out how to answer people *LOL*0
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Well, I guess those that I thought were part of my support team aren't coming back to this discussion. So, I guess I'm back on my own. Take care everyone!1
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Well, looks like I haven't posted in a week, shame on me
Still haven't been able to put together more than 4 days straight with no wine, but I'm happy that my overall intake week after week has been way less than it used to be.
@khahn72856 hope you're on day 3 of no alcohol; but if not, just start at day one again, and working at it.
@Darlene_Oregon You seem to have a really good plan in place for yourself, but I hope you're not relying on a My Fitness Pal (MFP) chat forum alone to give you all of your support. I've found that, while MFP has given me a lot of helpful information and support through my weight loss journey, the support of family, friends and professionals has helped my most in my quest for sobriety. I'm still a work in progress, but aren't we all.1 -
@SparkSpringtime69 I guess I have been using MFP chat forum as my support system. Besides my husband, I have no family where I live or any friends to speak of either (just acquittances) .
Neither my husband or I are originally from this area. We were somewhat transplanted here. When I met my husband, I was living in Medford Oregon. Which is close to the California border (I know not everyone on MFP is from the US. But I think most people know where CA is located). He had been homeless and went to a VA facility near my home for help. He had been involved with drugs. But I had never seen it. I think he mainly went there to get a roof over his head.
At the same time, I was having problems with alcohol and was also basically homeless (living in a motel). I worked temporary at a well-know plywood mill. But it was through a temp agency, so the work wasn't consistent.
Anyways, we met at an AA meeting. Eventually, the VA found him transitional housing in Roseburg OR (110 miles north). We weren't married at the time. So I stayed behind. Paying the rent at the motel was getting more difficult. So, he came down on a Greyhound bus and we came up here in my truck. And here we are. Neither of us are originally from Oregon. I was born and raised in Southern California and he in Northern California.
Well, I guess I didn't need to give out so much personal information. But I really don't care. I have no reason to hide behind a keyboard.
Good luck to you and thank you for your input when you can!
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I, I’m 17 days post last drink. It sucks, yet, it is also wonderful. I am probably trying to replace a bad habit with a good one as my trainer says, “ This one won’t kill you”. I wish you all the best my friend.0
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@Darlene_Oregon - I think you are very brave. It sounds like you and your husband have survived and overcome a lot. Shows a lot of strength and courage.
One day at a time.
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@lilith40 Thank you so much. Yes, one day at a time!2
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Thanks for the post. I'll start to stay dry for a week first... Then reduce to no more than drinking twice a week... I'm turning 60 in a couple of month and want to stay fit ! I'm currently drinking nearly every day...
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@MeechK1095 Hey Kid! Well I'm 66 so I think I should be able to call you kid.
I hope you can be successful with your plan. But in my experience (for me), planning to just drink two days a week doesn't really work.
About 35 years ago, I moved back in with my Mom. She didn't appreciate me hanging out in the garage drinking beer and smoking. I did quit smoking in 2007. I wasn't just drinking and smoking. At the time, I enjoyed cleaning and doing maintenance on my truck.
Well, since she didn't approve, I started hanging out at a neighborhood bar (a lot). Anyways, there was a women that went there that was close friends with the bartender. One day, we were talking and had a really nice time. I told her "See you tomorrow". She said she wouldn't be there because she doesn't drink two days in a row. So, I decided to do the same thing. That was 35 years ago and I still drink daily.
We moved into our current home 13 years ago. I liked drinking during the day when I was mowing, gardening, etc. I decided I would only drink on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. That didn't work. Then I said "No drinking" on Sundays or Mondays. Still didn't work.
I still have not gotten to one day without drinking. I really hope I will soon. I have some appointments coming up. And I've gained quite a bit of weight. Springtime is coming and I have a lot of projects I hope to complete.
Good luck to you and keep posting!2 -
@MeechK1095 PS...You mentioned that you wanted to stay fit. As a man you probably won't have as much trouble as I did.
Just a couple of months ago, I started exercising. Pretty simple stuff, but I feel very effective. I was feeling really good.
Then I started drinking daily again. I'm not sure what happened. But I can barely walk up and down steps without a handrail. I will get it back. It doesn't take long to lose it. But with some work, we can get it back just as quickly.
Good luck to you!
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@Darlene_Oregon you and your husband sure have been through a lot, definitely two courageous people. I get the think about "just acquaintances", I moved to SC about two years ago and have acquaintances at the gym and in the neighborhood, but no real friends here. My DH and two sisters are really my closest friends.
@MeechK1095 I've tried going just some days on and some off also, but on the days I do drink, I don't tend to stop once I start, so I'm trying to just quit altogether. It's definitely better for your health to avoid alcohol. Good luck with your plan though, I hope it works out for you.0 -
@SparkSpringtime69 Good to hear from you. I agree we should just quit altogether. I went four months without drinking. And I felt great. I was very energetic and motivated.
I have been through quite a bit in my adult life. But I had a wonderful childhood. I guess that's why I became "The Problem Child". I never hurt anyone though (except myself).
The problem child is still in me, but I've learned how to control it.
Take care!1
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