Some Advice -- Mild Alcohol Withdrawal Posted: 04-28-04 06:41am
Greetings,
i'm a 28 year-old male, with a
not-unusual-for-my-age history of alcohol
use over the past 5 years (around 5-7
drinks 1-3 times a week). I also have,
twice in the past, suffered from bouts of
anxiety disorder, and infquent problems
sleeping. Problem is, I have a tendancy
to drink in response to problems sleeping,
to stave off the problem continuing for
more than one night.
Recently, in response to problems
sleeping, work stress, stress from moving,
and quitting-smoking stress (on the patch
for two months--so far very successful) I
responded by having 4-6 drinks every night
for almost four weeks. During the last
week of this episode, I started having
problems with waking too early--a not
uncommon occurence with alcohol abuse,
certainly compunded by the summer months
bringing early-morning sunlight streaming
into my room. I stopped the drinking for
three nights, had some mild insomnia, then
had drinks both nights over the weekend,
and then have not had drinks over the past
two nights, and have no plans to have any
until i'm sure it's safe to do so.
I have had problems sleeping over the past
two nights; my mind is way too overactive
as I lay down, I finally fall asleep after
about an hour, and then awake four-to-five
hours later and am unable to get back to
sleep (i have dealt with the sunlight
problems [thick curtains]). As well, I
had problems with an unusual amount of
sweating both nights.
Doing a little reading, it occured to me
that i'm going through mild alcohol
withdrawal.
My question in this -- have I ruined
drinking permanently for myself? I have
no intention of going back to drinking in
response to stress ever again (as I get
older i'm realizing how dangerous that
kind of pattern is), but don't want to
have to abstain for the rest of my life.
I don't think i'm alcoholic (i don't have
any problems not drinking for extended
periods of time, no problem stopping
drinking after i've had a couple, no
issues with relationships, work, or
responsibilities due to alcohol), but when
I go out to a club or a party, I want to
be able to have a few and not worry about
insomnia and sweats for days afterwards.
Does anyone have any thoughts/advice on
this problem? I have a work function
coming up -- it will be five days since my
last drink -- and would like to be able to
have a few without having problems for
days afterwards.
If anyone has any questions, i'll be
monitoring the thread and can supply
answers.
Thanks!
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Farrow
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Apr 2004 Posts: 2 Location: NY
Posted: 04-28-04 09:06am
I don't know if this helps but.. Think
about honestly with yourself? Do you know
yourself to be well discplined as to not
fall into the pattern again? I know for
me.. I'd love to go out right now w/ my
friend and have a couple of beers - I just
don't trust that I won't slide. It's too
easy for me to do that. If you are in
doubt - then maybe you shouldn't. I find
the more I don' t drink, the more
motivated I am to find joy elsewhere - I
also feel proud that I can do w/out - your
friends will be admiring you.
Good luck no matter what your decision.
Jen
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fasholafay
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Virginia
Posted: 04-28-04 10:41am
I once asked someone the very questions
you are asking and they told me that if
you have to question yourself or others as
to maybe having a problem with alcohol you
generally do have a problem with
alcohol!!! At least you are recognizing
it and so there is a chance you can do
something about it before it cost you. My
nephew just totally lost his lexus and has
his drivers license suspended for a year
;not to mention all the money its costing
him---he is 28 years old and he had no car
insurance !! Thats what a problem with
drinking can do to you. Fasholafay
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zilbucks
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 210 Location: NY
Posted: 05-01-04 15:45pm
I agree with the above posts, if you are
truly questioning yourself as to whether
or not you have a problem with alcohol,
chances are that you just might. It's
true that with any drug, when its been in
your system long enough, and you stop,
your body detoxes, becasue the levels are
not as consistent- once you reintroduce
(alcohol) some of the symptoms / most of
detox go away. People who suffer from
anxiety/ insomnia( which I do) shouldn't
drink alcohol. I used to rely on alcohol
as a sedative for my insomnia and what
not, but alot of times it would do the
opposite. I'd pass out for a few hours,
then bolt out of bed and be wired. People
who have insomnia, anixiety have sensitive
systems- if you've ever taken a caffeine
pill, or drink a few cokes or coffee, you
might notice you get heart
palpitations(anxiety) or that the caffeine
pill doesn't wear off for a day(insomnia).
So yeh point is, if you question your
self/ have insomnia/ anxiety , drinking is
pretty much the last thing you should be
doing. Hope that helped a bit
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MDS80
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Russia
Posted: 12-09-04 15:00pm
Man u are right 'bout withdrawal syndrome.
Next week is very dangerous, cause u can
get a delirium tremens. That is really
bad thing with hallucinosis and
tonic-clonic seizures. To prevent it use
valium or librium/ u must visit a doctor
to get a ricipe. U also need vitamins:
thiamin 100mg/day pyridoxine 100mg/day and
also maybe magnesium. Blood tests
required
