Alcohol Withdrawal
Sunday January 4, 2004
When heavy or frequent drinkers suddenly decide to quit "cold turkey" they will experience some physical withdrawal symptoms. With the proper treatment these symptoms can be avoided for those who want to quit drinking.
More: Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms | Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
More: Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms | Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
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June 24, 2008 1st day of sobriety
I am a 57 year old white man, 40 pounds overweight, in good health, executive most of my life, I have been drinking every day for the last 36 years except for about 10 days total since I was 21. I drank on the average about 8-10 ounces of alcohol, using a variety of beer and whiskey and wine, daily. This is probably an underestimate, but I cant remember. I started to forget things, important things, a few months ago, and beginning 3 years ago I became an ugly drunk. I would drink so much, I would make a fool of myself in front of other people, call them ugly names, say things that I wish I could have taken back and then defend those things until I couldn’t stay awake anymore. I found a group of people that approved of drinking a lot and could afford drinking a lot. These people I called friends. Not one of them has called me since I quit drinking 5 days ago and said “ Hey, where are you? We missed you, can we help you.” I decided to quit drinking cold turkey, not weaning myself off of the booze, although I did quit drinking 8-10 ounces of alcohol every day, I just cut down to about 7 ounces daily. I did quit for 4 days a year ago, and the anxiety, the loneliness, the hallucinations were too much for me and I started up again.
I looked on the internet for “Alcohol Withdrawal” becaue I wanted to know what the symptoms and physical side of withdrawal would be. I found the reactions I would experience, anxiety, mood swings, shakes, possible DT’s, I haven’t had shakes or DT’s, but I can’t think clearly, I have anxiety, I have mood swings, I could start crying any time, and have. I write this because I can’t find a day by day account of someone quitting alcohol. So here is my story:
Day One: I decide to quit drinking until my birthday, which is exactly 5 months away, after all, how can I be an alcoholic if I can quit for 5 months. Then I will celebrate with a bottle of nice wine. I have consumed 3 martini’s, a bottle of wine, and 2 red beers so that I will be in good shape to quit drinking. This did not get me drunk, but I could feel it. I felt good, not slurring words, not driving erratically ( drove about 28 miles in this condition), I had a steak, baked potato, corn on the cob, and actually quit drinking at around 8pm on day one. I watched a little tv and went to bed around 10pm. So day one actually started at 8pm. Four hours without a drink.
Day Two: Got up at the usual time, 7:30a, fixed coffee, planned the day, fixed myself a virgin mary, like a bloody mary with out the vodka. Oh did I tell you that for the last 4-5 years I would fix myself a bloody mary almost every morning around 8:30 or 9am. I am not an alcoholic. I just drink a lot. I am experiencing anxiety, to the point of crying, depression, I cannot think clearly, I sit in the hot tub and think about all the things I need to do today. I make a list and then don’t do most of it. I tell myself, this is only part of day one, I can hardly wait for the hallucinations, I think I am going to have an acid trip. I am looking forward to it. Maybe it will be like college. I look up the foods I should be eating. What do you lack when you quit drinking? Thiamine,potassium, magnesium, niacin, vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, I take a vitamin C, dont have the rest, but I do have foods rich in some of them, so I eat those, carrots, nuts, chicken, tomato, potato, corn, beans. I do feel better after the carrots, nuts, potato, tomato juice (virgin mary again) and salad. I waste the whole day saying I am just on day one and I should rest. One of the things you should do is relax. I recommend not working in the first 4 days of detox. Take a vacation at home, the stress on your body of quitting alcohol is so great that it is easy to see why 9 out of 10 people that go to AA start drinking again. I pick up a book and start reading it, James Clavell’s Tai Pan, I like Clavell and have read all his books, something to pass the time. And time is moving slow, the road goes on forever and the party has ended. Finally darkness has come, but I have made it through 24 hours without booze.
Day three: I get up with a hang over, at least the feeling that you get when you are hungover after a few too many at the local club. What is going on? I look it up under symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, Yes, there it is. My body is reacting to lack of alcohol by telling me I need alcohol. Hair of the dog, a morning pick me up. Hang over. It has only been 36 hours. I get some coffee and am looking at a medical doctors suggestions that you should quit caffiene and sugar at the same time to help control your craving for alcohol. I think the guy is brain dead. You have just quit one of the most destructive drugs you can take and you want to quit caffiene and sugar too. Why not just commit suicide and get it over with. If quitting caffiene was good for alcoholics, why do all the AA meetings have large pots of coffee going? I quit cigarettes 32 years ago and it was hard, very hard after smoking for only 10 years, what is alcohol withdrawal going to do to me after 36 years, and will I start drinking again? No, I have made a decision to quit and that is that. I am a Christian. I will look to the Bible for answers. All things are possible for God. The Bible says that God will heal you physically, spiritually, and financially. Oh yes did I mention that I have more reasons to drink than anyone on the earth? Just one beer wouldn’t hurt me, but then I would just have to quit all over again, no I am not drinking till my birthday 4 months 29 days away. I eat the foods that give me potassium, magnesium, thiamine and I make a pot of flavored tea. I also have cokes. The sugar thing, I also make a cake. After all my reasoning is that I quit drinking cokes years ago and it was hard to do, but my teeth were so rotton that a dentist told me if I ever drank another coke I might as well get false teeth and this was when I was 27. I went through sugar withdrawals, but it only lasted for a few days. I eat, I sit in the hot tub, I read, I try to relax, but I still have a tremendous amount of anxiety, I think about going to the doctor for some valium, or something to help me. That would just be trading one drug for another. I am going to get through this with the help of God. If He is the great and mighty God I am reading about, then He can do the impossible and take away my need for alcohol without my feeling the withdrawal pain. Is it only day three?
Day four: Actually I have come to realize that it is really only 72 hours since I quit drinking, If I am going to have DT’s they should come today. Looks like I will miss out on them, too bad, it would be something to pass the time and perhaps they would be fun to play with. You can see I am not thinking too clearly right now, but I am going to the hot tub with my virgin mary. I need to talk to God and He needs to answer. I have a good feeling that I will get some answers from Him now. I have found that God loves me as much as He loves Jesus. That is a lot. I have my middle son today. What a great joy it is to see him. I forgot to mention that alcohol lead to my divorce. Two of my sons hate me, one hasn’t talked to me since I left his mom. That was 4 or so years ago, I can’t remember. My youngest son is coming around, if I can really quit drinking I believe he and I will have a good relationship again. That is a great reason to stay off the booze, I will have two of my three sons back. My son has a great outlook on life, he likes Power Rangers and we went to the mall and he found a green Power Rangers t-shirt. The Green Ranger is rare, He was excited and then the great thing was the 27 year old sales clerk talked to him about the Power Rangers and seemed to know a lot about them. Really nice for 2-27 year olds to like the Power Rangers. I really appreciated the clerk talking to my son like an equal. My special son.We went to all the places he likes and then I took him home to his mom.
Day five. I’m writing this the morning of the fifth day and am crying. This is what I am talking about. How long does this take? Woke up again with a hang over, its been 108 hours, when do the hangovers go away, it may be two more days, or more. From what I read, it just depends on the individual, how long you’ve been drinking, how much, etc. I am still having mood swings, but I am going to have another steak today. I have eaten a lot of jalapenos’ and nachos with cheese over the last 4 days, dont know if it helps, but they do taste good.
Once again I looked up the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Don’t know how how long they have left to go, but except for the nausea, shakes and DT’s I’ve had them all. I would think just a few more days and at least the symptoms will be over. Mentally, I don’t drink alcohol anymore. God has redeemed and delivered me from this demon. Now I know why the old time religious folk call it Demon Rum, and Spirits. Alcohol is just the world’s way of trying to get the Holy Spirit. I have had a two headaches , one the second day, and one now. I took an aspirin today, but none for the previous, it seemed to work. I have a lot more energy today. I was not active the first few days, I have not been sleepy, but have woken up each night and stayed up for an hour or two, then went back to sleep and woke up at 7:30 just like a usual day. Tomorrow will tell me more as I am going to work for the first time since I quit. I am going to post this now and then add to it, or change it if the web site will let me.
The thing that I do not have is someone to talk to. I can’t talk to my folks, I just would like to talk to someone and find out if what I am going through is normal for alcohol withdrawal, I guess the unknown is more scary than the known. I’ve tried AA meetings, and find them so negative, that I have no desire to hear another sober drunk relive their failures. I know that the symptoms will end at some time, so I can persue the goal of complete sobriety for the next 5 months even if these few days are tedious. Then if I begin drinking again, I can either control it or it will control me, but at least I will know what I can expect if I do drink again. I haven’t had a thought without alcohol influencing me for so long, I’m not sure what I will think. Almost the end of Day 5, I feel that I am thinking more clearly now, and my headache is gone. Will post more in a few days. Today is Sunday June 29, 2008.
Day six: Woke up with a hang over, took one aspirin and drank a cup of coffee, fixed a virgin mary and sat in the hot tub for 15 minutes, usual morning, went to work, had trouble concentrating, but not as bad as it was a few days ago.
Good luck on your endeavour. I suffer myself and find solstice in your comments
u have answerd so many of my questions,thank you…3 days sober xx and counting!!!!
Thanks for sharing this. You’re a good writer, hope there will be more.
I quit drinking after 20 years eight days ago. It hasn’t been so bad, but I have had the headaches the last couple days. I will not go back!
4 hours short of my 3rd clean day. I realized I hadn’t had a drink in 24 hrs - decided to go with it. Today I have aches & fatigue. How long does this last?
Of all my years on the net, yours is the most vital article I’ve ever read. If Internet had been created with the single intent of relating only your personal alcohol withdrawl story world-wide, it would have worth it.
I’m exactly you age 57. Only 8 years of abuse for me; but I can go through 50 ml of a bottle of vodka in one day. Only 12 pounds overweight (due to the vodka); don’t have a family anymore but new chance at love if….
You have my e-mail; Please write me. How are you progressing? What can I do to follow your lead?
Today is day number 1 for me. I am only 24 years old and drank every day since I was 20. I went 47 days starting in April of this year without a drink. Yes, I stayed home a lot more and felt like I lost some of my friends. Then I had a beer in mid June and have been drinking daily again ever since. Last night I drank more than typical, didnt get home til 4 am, drove drunk and cheated on my boyfriend. I am not the person who I want to be. I know the first week of not drinking is going to be the hardest. I think it is very important to have someone there supporting you through that time- because you do feel horrible physically.
When i didnt drink for those 47 days I felt so much better physically. And I feel like my anxiety got better.
Anyways, is there an update to our friends original post?
This is the first thorough information I have ever read about the symptoms of withdrawal. Well done and keep up your courage.
Jen - i am also 24 and decided to quit because of a similar situation as yours. I have been drinking regularly since I was about 18. Of course, there were some days that I would go without having a drink at all, but my problem was mainly that when i went out I was binging and doing things I regretted the next day, especially when my hangover interfered with my priorities, such as school, work, etc. Since this summer, though, I saw a change because I was drinking at least one drink everyday, and I was drinking more whenever I was upset…mad pattern. So, I am now on day 6…I will give you all a daily log of how I’ve been so you know what to expect if your drinking wasnt as long/serious as the original poster but you still want to take a break or quit. (I’m just quitting until December 19th which is when school ends in order to give my body and brain time to heal).
Day 1: No problem staying sober, and no symptoms. I did start psychologically questioning how I would last so long when all of my friends drink.
Day 2: Increased hunger. Still no problem staying sober but I did have the temptation for “just one beer”. Started having problems falling and staying asleep….Boy do those late night drinks help you fall asleep!
Day 3: Wokeup exhausted because I got horrible sleep. Tired all day. Cranky and aggitated, but nothing too overwhelming at all. I found out about a great party that my friends wanted me to go to, but I resisted…then questioned whether I could last until Dec. 19th…Slept horribly again, and I had an AWFUL nightmare that had me waking up with a racing heart and drenched in sweat.
Day 4: I’m not sure if this is due to quitting, but I was very cold all day when everyone around me wasn’t. Tired all day from horrible sleep. I started having depressed feelings (not sure if this was due to quitting either). Slept slightly better but not much.
Day 5: Felt better all day fatigue-wise than I had the previous days. I was feeling more depressed, though. My friends were going out to 2 clubs and I decided to give myself my first test…I went….and I didn’t drink!! Best yet, I ACTUALLY had fun sober! I did not expect to have fun without drinking, so I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself insanely tired, though, while I was out when everyone else was pretty energized and drunk.
Day 6(today): AHHHHH!!! I cannot believe that withdrawal symptoms would happen this late in the game!! I went to bed around 5am, and I slept until 12:30pm. This time I slept deeply and through the night. However, like the other day, I had a horrible nightmare again that had me wakeup with a racing heart and drenched in sweat (I think this is a symptom of withdrawal). That isn’t the worst thing though…I wokeup with the WORST headache of my life…I mean it topped any hangover I have ever had. It was so bad that I was nauseus and couldn’t keep my eyes open. I took 2 advils, ate some cereal, and fell back asleep. The advil did not help at all. I slept for about 3 more hours. I am exhausted all day even though I got the best sleep yet last night. Finally, around 6, my headache goes away….7pm, it comes back. Take 2 more advil and eat more. Doesn’t help. Here I am typing this blog. I am tired, have a pounding headache, have dizziness and feel depressed. Throughout the past 6 days, I have definitly had an increase in hunger.
On a positive note, though…within the past 6 days, I have been able to get SIGNIFICANTLY more done as far as work and chores go than I was ever able to do in two weeks time! That alone makes it worth while for me. Also, while I physically looked worse for the first 3 days since I was so tired, I can see that my complexion and face in general looks much more fresh and attractive. I also haven’t had any stupid drunken acts that I need to regret the next day, which is great!
All in all, the worst is the headache (just started), difficulty sleeping (already getting better), and depression (hoping for it to get better soon!).
Who would have thought that a 24 year old who could easily decide to go a day without drinking or just have a drink a night for 4 nights of the week and who never ever drank before 7pm would have such a strong physical response to quitting drinking! It shows you how much alcohol really does affect your body and mind.
Good luck everyone!
I didnt drink every day but three or four times a week. When I did I didnt seem to know when to stop. Trying not to drink at all now. Third day. Bad dreams and hang over every morning. How long will this last?
after reading alcoholic withdrawals in many forms i got even more depressed and confused. i,ve been a heavy drinker for about 47yrs. now 61yrs old.i don,t believe in taking drugs to stop drinking.i can easily quite for afew days but would now like to stop altogether.not had a drink for 3wks suffering nightmares but coping.i thought your story is great keep writing. happy and sober new year.chris
I am on my 3rd day after alcohol withdrawal
I am 58 yrs old and I have had no withdrawal
symptoms yet. I started withdrawal on 30th DEC/08 and it was the 1st time I did not drink on New Years eve in 40 years. I wish
everyone a happy New Year and best of luck
in their abstinence from alcohol Paulxx
This has been so good for me to read, and I’m sort of apologetic to say that… but obviously you are an intelligent person who loves and cares for many people, and like me your drinking has turned into a disease.
I am still drinking, still facing the fact that I must quit, and seeing a therapist to help me wean myself off alcohol to avoid some of the “cold turkey” stuff… he told me that being an alcoholic is like a brick on a big spring. As long as the brick is in place, there’s some balance at least. But what happens if you suddenly remove the brick? The spring goes haywire….
Somehow this made me feel better, but I suspect it’s because I’m still allowed to drink a specified amount for the next 12 days.
So far I haven’t ruined my life entirely. My husband and children are still with me and love me, but I’m wearing them out. I thought an apt Christmas card this year would show a photo of my frazzled family with a caption that said, “At least she’s in therapy now! Happy Holidays!”
You know… I always thought I was in control of things until the drunks and the black-outs and the rages started impacting my life. I work every day without alcohol, but as soon as I leave work I get some.
Same old story… huh?
I stopped drinking on 2nd august 2008 after about 5 years of drinking in the morning till night.I decided enough was enough and was worried about dying young(im 32)I was sober until 24th dec when i decided it would be ok to have one drink but as we all know one is too many and 1000 is never enough.After going through 4 litres of vodka and about 24 beers i quit again on sat 3rd jan.I still feel bad right now physically and mentally.I pray that this man does not start drinking again for his birthday as it will be 100 times worse to live with
I agree this is one the the most informative articles I have ever read!! Really wishing there could be an update on our friend. I hope he is OK. I drank much less am more than 20 years younger and was unable to quit on my own safely. I had the seizure problem. So it seems like it was uncomfortable for him, but not an emergency situ. Anyway I went to fab detox center and was sober for a long time and like an idiot decided it would be OK for me to have a drink with dinner sometimes. That worked for about 4 months, then financial problems, situational triggers, etc. hit and It got worse. Nowhere near the level it was when I had seizures, (it was probably 1/3 of that amount) but strangely less martinis was effecting me way harder and caused some major disruptions in my life. Nothing illegal or anything, just saying and doing things that I will always be sorry for. I am in the process of detoxing myself alone now. Which has been horrible. Have reduced amount to one ounce per day at this point. Still have insomnia, panic and dreams where I find myself standing up squishing a green witch who’s whole body feels like one of those stress-balls. Probably the DT thing he was hoping for and he was right is is like tripping on LSD, but it is a BAD trip!!! No fun. Also very skinny due to the nausea.
Original poster Please everyone wants an update!!!!
I have been a drinker for over 30 years…but it was manageable. That is until my husband died very unexpectedly at an early age. Then, everything went to pieces. My withdrawal symptoms last about 3 days. During the first 24 hours, I get nausia - I feel like I have the flu and can’t keep anything down including water. But, after that, I’m so grateful I quit it doesn’t bother not to drink. I did quit for 10 months two years ago and they were the best 10 months of my life. I had lots of energy and looked better than I had in years. Then a long time friend came to visit me in May and we had some wine. That started the whole thing all over again. I quit for another 8 weeks but then started back up in early October. So, here I am, quitting again. I’m trying to start a business and I can’t do it drinking. I have jobs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week and have to be able to physically do them. So, I hope I can get this out of my system by then. Thanks for all of your input. Very useful and helpful.
I quit drinking at 32 years of age, when my twin daughters were born. I stayed sober for 20 wonderful years. I am 55 years old now and 3 years ago I had a beer with a client after some hard work on a hot July day. For a while I had an occasional beer, then several, and this escalated to 6-10 beers 3 or 4 times a week. Last week I forgot that it was my girlfriends 50th birthday. For some reason I thought her birthday was the 28th and it was actually the 21st. Surprisingly, she doesn’t even know I drink and when she called I was half drunk. Of course, She has not spoken to me since. I felt so embarrased and humiliated, which led to 4 days of drinking. This has affected other areas of my life including work, recreation and weight gain. This is my second day of sobriety and the major withdrawl sympton is depression. The moral of the story is please, please if you quit never, never drink again.
My best friend suffers from alcoholism. She’s been drinking for as long as I’ve know her (21 years) plus some. Recently, she was pulled over for drunk driving, arrested and released on bond. She went to court several times and the lasst court hearing she was sentenced to 17 days in jail and 28 days in rehabilitation. This is a consecutive term and she is serving her time in jail as I speak. She is on day 5 and don’t really know how she is doing as we don’t get much time to talk. I’ve been worried sick about her only because I’ve been scared she will go through DT’s and will not receive the care she needs while in jail. I know she has to be feeling sick and that’s why I got on this forum to see if I could get some answers. I’m going to print this out and mail it to her because I find it extremely informative and will help her pass the time while in jail. I hope she comes out a sober woman, but I’m afraid she will begin drinking again after the 45 days only because her boyfriend lives with her and he is an alcoholic too. He drinks an excessive amount of alcohol beginning in the morning and doesn’t put the drink down until he goes to bed. Her 19 year old daughter is at her witts end with the situation and says she will move out if her Mom comes out drinking again. I feel the same way…if she starts drinking again, I just don’t want to be around her because it hurt me to see her in that drunken condition. I drank for many years and woke up one day and decided I didn’t want my life to be that way anymore. It was hard at first, but now everything is okay. I crave coke, coffee and sugar all of the time. If I drink, I won’t drink again for a long time. It makes me feel so bad anymore…it’s just not worth it. Drinking has so many bad issues associated with it that I just am not interested in the party anymore. Thank you for starting this forum and good luck to EVERYONE out there who is struggling with this horrible demon.
anonymous, thank you for your wonderful blog. And I could not agree more with Johnathon. I am 45 and have been drinking on and off since I was 15. I have a wonderful carrer as a professional and would like to keep it. I am very lucky to have a supporting wife and family during this time. I am in day 3.5 and I think I have gotton over the worst of the detox. STill very tired and not sleeping. However, to be honest, I think I have some fear of going to sleep without alcohols help. But I have tried with success, melletonin. It has helped. Best wishes.
I just wanted to write and share a little of what I am going through. My husband and I quit drinking 9 days ago. It’s something I have been praying about for months. I was just tired of doing it and it’s a lot harder when you’re trying to convince 2 people who want to drink, not to drink. What actually transpired and brought us quitting on, was some things that happened in my husbands childhood and how it was affecting our jobs. We didn’t feel like working at all…how we normally are, we love to work. My husband was becoming emotional about the things he had been through. We were drinking everyday. I have ADHD and it was making it so unbearable…not to mention how hard it was every single day to drag myself out of bed…oh, and the hangovers of course. I, for the first time in my life, had to be put on medication for my ADHD. I am 29 almost 30 and have 2 little girls. My husband is 31 just about to be 32. He has been drinking since highschool and I have been drinking for about 5 years…not as much as him, but I have been it has been building up. I went from wine to captain morgan and then vodka. Towards the end (up until 10 days ago - which was our last drink), we were splitting a bottle of vodka everyday or two and I mean the big bottles. We all of a sudden decided to quit together. He started seeing a Christian psychologist for his childhood issues instead of drinking. I am suffering from the nightmares and my husband is dealing with headaches when he wakes up that last quite long. They are getting much better though. I honestly can’t believe how good I feel. I feel like a million bucks. It’s sort of scary…like it’s too good to be true. I found this post while googling to see if it’s normal to feel this good and have this much energy after quitting drinking. It gives me encouragement to see people writing saying they still had so much energy even after staying sober for a year. We are humbly praying to God and asking for His strength. My husband and I can’t do it on our own. Thank you again for everyone’s story. It’s definitely better than all of the other things that come up on the internet.
Hope you are still at it. I am 35 days, after a pretty quick crash and burn when my job ended (federal grant) over the holidays. was initially elated at surviving, and now in a depression about what the next 30-60-1000 days will be like. Best wishes.
Hi! I’m also glad I came across this site. I recently quit drinking and am experiencing withdrawls. This is my second say sober after going on a 10 day drinking binge. In the past, I could always get over a binge in one day, like a hangover, and I always maintained good grades in school, so I never thought I was an alcoholic. But lately I realized my behavior wasn’t normal and after writing some embarrassing emails and drunk dialing my mom, I decided it had to stop.
Yesterday was my day one — I felt terrible. I threw up half the day, couldn’t keep water down, could barely eat, made some homemade vegetable soup, had some cheese and crackers and then tried to go to sleep. I sweat profusely all night and was in and out of sleep all night, tossing and turning and having bizarre dreams. I felt feverish as well. I was shaky all day and took three GABA, which seemed to help.
Today, day two - I woke up feeling terrible again. The anxiety was overwhelming. I ate more of the soup, drank almost half a gallon of milk, had about 4 Gatorades and took a B vitamin. I feel a little better, but I can tell it’s far from over. I also feel extremely emotional. I can only say the Gatorade, milk and vegetable soup helped tremendously and the nausea is better but not gone. If anyone is interested, I’ll keep updating this to provide another story of the withdrawl progression, so hopefully, whatever helps me get through it might help others. The GABA I took yesterday (which isn’t prescription and it’s relatively inexpensive) I took today too, and again, it helped the anxiety. I went on about an hour crying-freak out session, and oddly enough, that helped too. So if anyone feels that emotional, I’d say go ahead and go nuts for a little while, just don’t drink.
I am 21 days sober. I have relapsed several times. Most all of the posts about, sweating, nausea, nightmares, tremors, dizziness,confusion, etc. are all symptoms of withdrawal. It is seriously dangerous to withdraw from alcohol with out medical attention. The chance of an alcohol withdrawal seizure is GREAT and DEADLY!. I detoxed on my own also, however and had all of the above symptoms. I would have such hellish nightmares that I would force myself to wake up but be so shaken from the nightmares that to go back to sleep was impossible. my stomach was agitated beyond belief also. Don’t need to go into too much detail there. I am now in AA. For many it works. It has helped me to begin changing my life. Putting down the drink wasn’t enough for me. There was an underlying cause to my abusive drinking….I wish all of you the best of luck.
I too found this looking for help not knowing what to expect going through withdrawals. I am on day 1 and have been drinking for the past 27 years. Should have been dead a couple of times due to DUI and other accidents. Financial problems, work, relationships and health issues. Weened off a little the last few days. down to a half pint last night and nothing all day. Had been drinking a 64 ounce pitcher of light beer and 1 pint of Vodka most every night for the past few years. Had not been functioning well during the day and started drinking a few beers in the morning to just feel normal. Found a good program NIFAR (National Institute For Alcohol Recovery) that has helped me understand how consistent drinking, weather it is daily, weekly, or monthly, changes the neurons in the brain causing the contestant cravings. Once all of the alcohol is depleted from your system, usually about 36 to 48 hours this subsides. The detox tonic, (honey, lemon juice and warm water) and passion flower pills help with the anxiety also.
I drank the last of the pint last night and smoked my last cig. I think this was key for me as I cannot have it in the house. Only day 1 though. Will check in with updates.
Hope this helps some, God bless all!