I've been drinking heavily for sixteen years. About a fifth of JD a day. I've managed to become pretty successful, and didn't want to jeopardize my job/house/relationship, so I went to my doctor on Tuesday.
What a joke. My HMO doesn't cover any in-patient program and only offers a single out-patient counceling. So, I decided that going to the ER was the best choice - they'd have to cover me, right? Well they did, and got me through the sweats, tremmors and shakes OK. (I hated all the heart monitoring and BP checking though) Two days later my HMO kicked me out.
Day five of attempted sobriety is upon me now and I want a drink SO bad. How long does this feeling/craving last? Days? Weeks? Months? A lifetime?
Welcome to MIP. It is a good place to be and it adds a lot to the quality of my sobriety. There is a lot of super information here and some wonderful people, too. I do hope that you will stay around.
Well done on doing a sensible detox. And, congratulations on day five! That's great.
For me, going to AA meetings really helped a lot. It was good to be with other people who were going through exactly what I was. You'll be able to find the local helpline number in your 'phone book. They will be able to offer advice and tell you where local meetings are held. They can also arrange for someone to meet you and take you to your fist meeting.
For me, the cravings didn't last very long and I tried to keep myself as busy as possible for a little while until the worst of the cravings had left. And, I always remembered that I was not drinking for one day at a time. That really did help me enormously.
Please keep posting and letting us know how it is going for you, won't you? You are not on your own – we have all been exactly where you are now.
Take care,
Carol
__________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
I dont have the answers to all of your questions and I'm no expert. A bunch of others here will be better at telling you (from experience) about how long DTs last. Long story short- I'm lightweight compared to most AAs.
But- first thing I would reccomend is going to some meetings. I was stubborn and proud and all kinds of ill placed feelings, things and emotions and I sufferred through way more crap than was necessary because I didn't go to meetings straight off. When I first wanted to get sober I did go to a Psychologist that specialized in substance abuse, and my insurance covered it. You might check that out. The shrink had a lot of insight (mine was ten years sober from booze and coke and had gone through the program) and helped a LOT. It's nice to be able to get some answers from someone whos been there. I find meetings keep me sober.
I wish I could say, that those cravings, and the compulsion to drink...went away in a few days..They didnt...but as each day went by...it got a touch better..
I do know, that the time element varies for each individual...
Things I had to do to keep from going insane...
An AA meeting every night of the week for 365 days... Drank juices....ate vitamins...fruit...chocolate bars.. Got an AA sponsor...and some days...was on the phone with him, 5 or 6 times..at all hours..just to keep from going nuts.. Got phone numbers of others...and supported them..as they supported moi...
It got better....but it wasnt easy...
When one pours alcohol down ones throat, and is completely addicted to it..it can be a rough road...but it sure beats dyin.:)
Each and every day..I had to make a vow to myself..that no matter what happens today..I will not pick up a drink...just for today...somedays..I had to break that into segments..
Hang Tough!!
__________________
"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.
I am a firm believer in good ole fashion, voluntary AA. It saved my life. I have tried other methods and failed. I know that with the help of AA, sobriety can happen to anyone, and the rewards are incredible to say the least. I went to a street level AA club for a rest I guess. Cookies, coffee, and out of the weather. The club was called club one in Santa Barbara, Ca. It was only running for one year but some hard cases got sober there. Something miraculous happened that night, and I have not had a drink since. I went to 3 meetings a day for 90 days, and one meeting a day for a year. I lived it and breathed it and my life was spared. I am now a shining example in my community who can help himself and others. I strongly suggest you go to Alcoholic Anonymous meetings on a regular basis and don't drink between meetings. Good luck, and keep us posted. Best Regards, Roderick
Welcome. I remember watching the clock,,,another hour of no drink! Like any serious illness, it takes time. Minutes turn to hours, days, years.
But I can tell you That I have never been sorry. I got going to meetings. Got involved...I didn't notice when the compulsion was lifted. I was thinking about my recovery and realized that that was gone one day! I no longer desired it in the slightest! So you can find a meeting, and there you will find all the support you need. I was amazed and comforted that I did not have to do it alone!
There's lots and lots of us ! Join in with us and we will help in any way we can.
Wow MAJOR congrats on day 5!!! I am impressed that you got some medical help to get this far, though sympathize with your frustration with the insurance and whatnot. (Grrrrr!)
I can not answer your question for your body/brain's situation, but can tell you from my experience that the craves early on were absolutely maddening. I have quit four times over about 8 years (using AA only this last time - which has kept me sober WAY longer than the rest) and each time found it harder than the previous time to stay away from the sauce. That has been one compelling reason to really do anything and everything to stay sober this time - I cannot imagine going through it again (and worse!).
Anyway, the first days were the pits - especially the first couple of weeks. I sweat it out to day 30 to get that darned 30 day chip. It started easing up after that. The second 30 days were not sugar sweet, but were steadily better. Then as more time passed I got TONS better. I had not really appreciated that I really was ill.
You have already been given tried and true advice. I did 90 meetings in 90 days. I got phone numbers of AAers to call instead of caving to craves. I had an MD friend write me a "script" for fruit juice and chocolate - your body will go through some carb withdrawal, so this really was a good thing to do. I got a sponsor at 30 days and my first true friends in the program - and that helped a lot.
I also found online meetings/chat rooms for those hours I was craving and no local meeting was available. These helped tons - esp early on. I also ran up a big bill at Block Buster - but that was cheaper than my booze bills were, and passed the time. I also substituted herb teas when I wanted something unusual to drink on (these are even good over ice).
Just notice - in the mornings you will start to NOT feel bad. I had felt so bad for so long, I had lost track of what not feeling bad felt like - I like not feeling bad, and recommend it!
Anyway - here you have heartfelt sympathy based on real life experience. You wont go crazy and it wont kill you (if you are past the initial detox), though you might have trouble buying that right now.
There will continue to be crave triggers - for quite awhile (lots of new "first time ___ without a drink"). Those eventually space out and fade away.
Hang in there. Make calls, visit chat rooms, forums, whatever you can do to stay away from a drink TODAY. Don't sweat tomorrow just yet, it will take care of itself and might not be so bad as today. Eventually our tomorrows get a LOT better; they have to!
Sending you strong vibes to hold on and to resist that urge.
WOW! congrats on day 5! It WILL all get better... like everyone has been saying... just be sober for today and repeat tomorrow. Like AA says... if a day seems like too long then be sober for an hour... and once thats up then be sober for one more hour! You are doing great!
__________________
"Advice is what you ask for when you already know the answer but wish you didn't"
Congratulations! Five days and you went the smart way seeking medical help! I don't know how long the cravings will last for you, but I can share that for me it took about a week before the cravings became bearable--then it became situational and the time of day that determined cravings. I'm only on about day 40 or 41 without a drink . . . I'm a newbie too. My false starts of sobriety usually lasted about 3 days--I think by the time day six rolled around I was thinking 'wow, I think I can really do this.' Anyway, please come back in and let us know how are you doing. (I love how Quetzal usually adds "won't you?" . . . it's such a nice way of inviting someone back without putting pressure on us). Laura
Five days, how wonderful. Give yourself some kudos, and welcome to MIP.
Trying to think back, it seems like the physical cravings only lasted a few days for me after the detoxing part was all done. It was my mind that gave me the most grief. I did alot of time on my knees, and most important for me was to spend time with others that were trying to stay sober also. I needed that support, and to hear that others had gotten through it also. I had to really let go, and admit how powerless I was. Alot of surrendering, over and over again, admitting that I could not do this alone. Well, honestly, I still do alot of surrendering, and still need the support of others. For me, I always will.
Keep posting, and remember to be gentle with yourself right now. It does take a bit for the fog to lift, so don't place expections on yourself, just do what you feel like you can do. And don't forget that you've made an awesome decision to make a life altering choice, for yourself and for those around you. Congratulations, Chris
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot... They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience..."
