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Post Info TOPIC: side effects from quitting alcohol?
abcd


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side effects from quitting alcohol?
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I read that it's possible to die from quitting alcohol, is this correct? For about 2-3 years I've gone through a 1.75 liter of vodka every 2-3 days. It lasts me the entire time I'm awake from morning to when I sleep. This isn't the amount that you could die from if you quit is it?  Do I drink enough to go through convulsions or anything like that?  If so, when do these side effects start?

What kind of side effects am I going to get from quitting? Will my liver and stomach go through withdrawls as well?  When do these side effects start?  I want to try to quit altogether, today is my first day I haven't had a drink. Should I back off slowly? To have my body used to not having that amount of alcohol?  

I also started shaking a lot since I started drinking heavily is this something that will stop when I've quit? If so, does anybody know how long that would take?

Thanks

-- Edited by abcd at 00:15, 2007-03-23

-- Edited by abcd at 00:16, 2007-03-23

-- Edited by abcd at 00:25, 2007-03-23

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mikey50


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Welcome to M I P abcd

I am not a Doctor....you might want to see one...detox can kill...you can call your local AA ..in the phone book..or go to any ER they will you  give something to help .... your local AA can set you up to go to detox...Detox last 3-5 days usally...and most dont cost ...good luck to you

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abcd


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I haven't had a drink all day, should I start drinking before I see a doctor? I don't want to end up dying from trying to quit. I'll go to a detox center tomorrow and ask them.

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destinydreamer


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I agree with Mikey.. since we are not dr's we really cannot tell you what will happen. I also do believe that you should call the AA hotline. There are numbers that you can call 24 hours a day. I went through withdrawal when I quit and from what I have read most people have. It is def better to be safe than sorry. Go to the ER... they see it a lot and it will be good for you to be under supervision. Why not try it now? Glad you are here... keep us posted..

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mikey50


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have  you gone 24 hours without a drink lately did you get sick...do you have anybody that could stay with you?.......



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abcd


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I tried to drink this afternoon when I woke up had 2 sips and threw it up since my stomach usually feels ill when I wake up and I have a weak stomach, so besides that I believe it's almost been 24 hours. I didn't get sick or feel sick. I just got scared after I read about side effects and started drinking several minutes ago so I don't get side effects, go into a seizure or die.

Has anybody drank less than me and got physical side effects? If so, what were they?

I don't want to go through physical side effects I'll stop by the ER tomorrow before I go to work, but most likely I'm going to try to quit slowly instead all at once. If I quit slowly can I still get side effects? If right now I'm at a .5 liter a day and lower it to .25 and then less and less so my body gets used to it? Would I still get side effects?

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aaqld


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Don't take any chances.

Every case is different.

Go to the hospital or to a doctor, state your case and ask them for their opinion.

Tell them that you are going to get off alcohol and you want them to tell you if you need to be admitted into the hospital or not.



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Quetzal


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Hi,

I do think that seeking advice from your GP or from someone medically qualified would be in your best interests. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. If you are unsure where to go for help, you can 'phone your local AA helpline and they will be able to tell you of detox centres in your area.

Here is a link which might help to answer a few questions for you. But, please seek professional advice.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000764.htm

Please keep posting and let us know how it goes for you, won't you?

Take care,

Carol



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Zster


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In my experience, cutting down gradually was about as realistic as me flying. As soon as I'd have ANY alcohol, limits on more went out the window.

If you are seriously fearful of possible withdrawal - see a doctor.

If stopping does cause physical withdrawal, it means that you've got an awful lot on board and probably NEED to quit, for health reasons.

It sounds like you are on a good path in considering quitting and realizing the inherent risks within.

Of course, I might have cited such risk as a good reason not to stop at all (I was a champion rationalizer when it came to reasons TO drink).

BTW - my physical withdrawal was relatively mild, compared to some. However, NOT wanting to have to go through that again was one of many reasons to avoid the drink. My health and whole life improved in a huge way after I had stopped for awhile.

It was definitely worth it. I hope you find it so, as well.

Good luck! Let us know how you are doing.

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In Peace, Z
abcd


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No, I can cut down gradually.  I was going to try to stop altogether but the side effects of withdrawls scared me.  I don't know if the amount I drink will create those effects since nobody here is a doctor so they won't tell me or guess even though I've stated how much I've drank. 

So, the day I decided to stop drinking and was planning on going to bed without a drink in a few years, went online to double check.  Got scared, had a couple drinks just incase I wouldn't die or go into seizures.  Atleast it wasn't as much as I usually drink.  Today I went to exercise with a trainer to have something to do besides drinking did some other things and didn't drink until 8pm compared to my usual drinks as soon as I wake up. 

So, I can cut down gradually, I just have to find things to do to occupy my time.  Nobody here states how much they drank and when they quit and what withdrawls they went through, so I don't know what to expect. 

Everybody just says, "they're quitting" and that's it.  Anyway if anybody did mention that information I'm sure it differs for every individual depening on their body type. 

When I was training earlier today and did some stretches I felt a sharp pain in my stomach or liver, so I'm sure I have to quit.  Just don't know if I can without dying or going into seizures.



Zster wrote:

In my experience, cutting down gradually was about as realistic as me flying. As soon as I'd have ANY alcohol, limits on more went out the window.

If you are seriously fearful of possible withdrawal - see a doctor.

If stopping does cause physical withdrawal, it means that you've got an awful lot on board and probably NEED to quit, for health reasons.

It sounds like you are on a good path in considering quitting and realizing the inherent risks within.

Of course, I might have cited such risk as a good reason not to stop at all (I was a champion rationalizer when it came to reasons TO drink).

BTW - my physical withdrawal was relatively mild, compared to some. However, NOT wanting to have to go through that again was one of many reasons to avoid the drink. My health and whole life improved in a huge way after I had stopped for awhile.

It was definitely worth it. I hope you find it so, as well.

Good luck! Let us know how you are doing.



-- Edited by abcd at 02:01, 2007-03-25

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Zster


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OK - I'll bite. Though, you are right - we are each different in terms of our particular physiology...

I had been drinking daily for 21 years, and near daily prior to that (tough to do daily when under age - I had trouble getting it). I had gotten up to three big boxes of wine per week, or about 2.5L each day - mostly in the evenings (except on days off - then I drank sun up to bed time).

I quit cold turkey, but was married and so had a spouse to keep an eye on me. For me the mental/addictive withdrawal was tougher than the physical. I did suffer shakiness, dizziness, and killer irritability. The craves were severe. Very early on, I noticed I did not feel awful upon awakening. I must have awakened hungover for a decade or more - EVERY day.

If you can cut back more slowly - I would be happy for you. I could quit for short spells or cut back for longer spells. However, as long as I continued to drink ANY amount of alcohol, I eventually ended up back up to full drinking capacity in short time.

I hope the best for you - in whatever approach you try. Whatever gets us off of the stuff, its WAY worth it, trust me.

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In Peace, Z
abcd


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Thanks for all the advise and support. I'm going to see a professional tomorrow to find out if I'm going to go through physical withdrawls.

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