Alcohol Detox: Methadone Facts

Question: What happens with alcohol detox?

(Posted by: the quiet1 on 2009-04-14 18:10:18)

I have been drinking heavily the past 9 months from ptsd symptoms and back pain with little medical help. I used to be in recovery and am trying to get back to that life but I am experiencing serious withdrawals for the 1st time in my life...shakes, sweats, cold chills, nausea, constant pain in my body and anger. I drank a pint today to take the edge off and am wondering if I will have to start all over or will my body begin to adjust to less and less alcohol until I can totally quit? I am trying to drink nothing by this w/ e? Please don't answer this to put me down as I am already doing this enough myself. I really need guidance. high ratings for serious replies and thank you all in advance

Posted by: jenny k on 2009-04-14, 19:24:13

It sounds like what you are going through right now is terrible. Are you against getting professional treatment? I don't know the extent of your drinking since "drinking heavily " can vary a lot from person to person. However, if you have been drinking enough to experience withdrawal, you probably need medical attention. I learned in med school this year that alcohol detox is the only drug withdrawal that can actually kill you (seizures and all kinds of bad stuff). It's even worse than heroin. Doctors can give you medications that can lessen the changes that are going on in your brain since it doesn't have the alcohol that it's gotten used to. It's also harmful for you to stop completely and then to binge again (not that a pint of beer is binging, but you know what I mean). Repeatedly putting your body through withdrawal can actually cause the symptoms to escalate, so the next time you stop will be even worse than the time before. You also may experience worsening of your PTSD symptoms due to the changes in your brain chemistry. If you choose not to seek medical attention, you should probably try a slow taper, rather than stopping all at once??? I would recommend getting some professional help if you can. Good luck to you!

Posted by: cracked on 2009-04-14, 19:04:25

Try eating snickers , the sugar will help with the cravings.I was a drunk 25 years, a quart a day, and know what your going threw.once you can go without booze, stick to the sweets,I also sip on coffee all day long.try some meetings, keep busy.I was near death, and quitting came easy, you have to want it more than anything, hope this helped, good luck.