Most people would agree that on occasion, consumption of alcohol in moderation is fine and may actually yield some health benefits. However, when consumption of alcohol becomes chronic and spirals out of control, it can really take a toll on both physical and mental health. Alcohol itself works by increasing the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Increases in GABA activity are linked to relaxation and depression of the nervous system.
Alcohol also decreases glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter – this causes our functioning to further slow while under the influence. To a certain extent, alcohol also can increase levels of dopamine – a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. A majority of people can have a good time drinking on occasion with friends and/or family. However, some people become addicted to the psychological response that occurs when they drink.
Individuals who drink often may put themselves at risk for health problems as well as other risky situations such as drunk driving. People who drink often and utilize alcohol to the point that it negatively affects family functioning, work-related tasks, and/or their personal life are said to suffer from alcohol “abuse.” On the other hand, people who struggle with “alcoholism” are said to be physically dependent on it to the point that it is considered a chronic disease. Once an individual with alcoholism begins drinking, they are not able to stop.
The problem for most heavy drinkers is that when they try to kick their drinking habit, they experience an array of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be very severe and in some cases, downright dangerous. If you are going through withdrawal from alcohol or are considering it, be sure to know how to properly taper as well as the possible symptoms that you may experience.
Factors that influence Alcohol withdrawal
There are many factors that will influence the difficulty of alcohol withdrawal as well as how long it lasts. Various factors that play an important role in withdrawal include: the time span over which you used alcohol, amount you typically consume, tolerance, whether you have an addiction, how quickly you withdraw, as well as other individual factors.
1. Time Span
Over how many years did you drink? Someone who has been drinking consistently every day for 10 years is likely going to have a much tougher time kicking the habit than a college kid who drank heavily for 1 year. In general, the longer and more consistently you have been drinking, the greater your tolerance is likely to be.
Additionally when you drink every day for years, it becomes ingrained almost as an innate habit that is even tougher to drop as alcohol has become part of your physiology. It is easier for your body to get used to functioning without alcohol when you only used it for a short period of time.
Long term users must gradually wean themselves down in quantity so that their body and brain can adapt to functioning with less alcohol until they have finally become sober.
2. Amount consumed / Tolerance
How much alcohol do you consume? Those who have been binge drinking daily for a year may have a very difficult time kicking the habit if they have a high tolerance. The amount of alcohol that you consume on a consistent basis will have great influence on your level of tolerance.
Obviously someone who doesn’t drink much will have a low tolerance, whereas someone who consistently consumes large quantities is likely to have a large tolerance. Individuals with higher tolerances are likely to experience more severe withdrawal symptoms when they quit.
3. Addiction / Dependency
Are you addicted to drinking alcohol? In some cases people become addicted to alcohol because it makes them feel good, takes away anxiety, lowers stress, and allows them to feel more carefree. Many people who become addicted drink so much that they develop a dependency on the alcohol for everyday functioning.
If you are addicted, withdrawal may be extremely difficult because you may constantly crave the alcohol and/or emotional component of relaxation that drinking provides. If you consider yourself an alcoholic or suffer from alcohol addiction, you may want to seek help from an addiction specialist and/or psychotherapist. Without proper help you may not make it successfully through withdrawal.
4. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
If you have been using alcohol heavily, it is never recommended to simply quit “cold turkey.” Quitting cold turkey is widely regarded as a dangerous move for the simple fact that it can trigger seizures and other dangerous side effects. In order to avoid seizures and minimize withdrawal symptoms, it is important to gradually taper off of alcohol. Those who quit cold turkey or taper too quickly will likely experience significantly more severe withdrawal symptoms.
In order to successfully taper off of alcohol, it is best to come up with some sort of tapering protocol based on how much you currently drink (e.g. your tolerance). On average it is recommended to reduce your alcohol consumption by about 2 drinks per day until you are down to zero. So if you start at 30 drinks a day, cut down to 28 drinks your second day, 26 your third day, etc. – until you have reached zero.
Although you may be highly motivated to kick your drinking habit and function sober, it is recommended to avoid trying to taper too quickly. If you have been drinking consistently, you should not be making drastic cuts in the amount of alcohol you drink daily. People who drop from 25 drinks per day to 10 drinks then 0 drinks are going to likely end up with very debilitating withdrawal symptoms – some of which may be dangerous.
If you haven’t been drinking a lot and have only been drinking for short periods of time, you may be able to get away with a cold turkey withdrawal. With that said, you should know whether you have been drinking lightly enough to warrant a cold turkey withdrawal. If at any time you feel as though you are tapering too quickly, make adjustments and slow down the amount you cut and/or how quickly you do it.
5. Individual Factors
Individual factors play an important role in determining how successful someone is with their withdrawal as well as how a person copes with symptoms. Having healthy habits, good social support, and a productive environment can go a long way in helping a person make it through withdrawal. Without adequate support and proper environment, withdrawal symptoms can be more distracting and tougher to deal with.
- Physiology: Everyone is unique and will react differently to the process of withdrawal. Some people are more psychologically resilient and less sensitive to withdrawals than others. Your nervous system and the way your individual body responds to the withdrawal may be different than that of someone else.
- Habits: Do you have supportive habits to help you through withdrawal? Or do you have other addictions and bad habits that are tough to break. Individuals that are caught up in a string of bad habits may have a tough time quitting alcohol and dealing with symptoms. For example, someone who has healthy dietary, exercise, and sleep habits may experience quicker recovery than others.
- Environment: Your environment can play a role in determining the difficulty of withdrawal. If you live in a safe, positive environment, it is thought that withdrawal will be easier to handle. People that live in a rougher environment are going to likely face greater difficulty in withdrawal. If lots of other people around you in your environment drink, it may be tougher to quit and you may get less support.
- Social Support: Do you have good social support? People with a more supportive social network may have an easier time getting through difficult withdrawal symptoms. If you have someone around to talk to who will support you when you are experiencing difficult withdrawal effects, it may help you with coping as opposed to someone without good social support.
- Other drugs: Are you using any other drugs? In some cases other drugs may make the withdrawal process easier. If you are working with your doctor and have been prescribed medications to help ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, they may actually help. On the other hand, if you are using illicit drugs to deal with alcohol withdrawal, you are essentially just shifting the addiction to a new substance.
- Personality: Do you have a naturally addictive personality? People who have addictive personalities may have a tougher time making it through alcohol withdrawal. Individuals who have more carefree non-addictive personalities will likely have an easier time making it through withdrawal.
- Coping mechanism: Many people use alcohol as a coping mechanism for stressors and/or to deal with life. People that are using alcohol to make it through a rough time in life may have a tougher time quitting because they are essentially using it as a drug to mask a deeper underlying issue. If you are using it as a crutch or coping mechanism, it is advised to seek some sort of therapy to help address other problems.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below is a list of possible symptoms that you may experience upon withdrawing from alcohol. Understand that you may not experience every symptom listed below and the severity of these symptoms is largely based on individual circumstances. One person may experience nearly every symptom listed below, while another may have a relatively mild withdrawal and only have to deal with a few symptoms.
- Agitation: Many people feel agitated during the first few weeks of withdrawal. The agitation may last much longer than a few weeks in some cases. Do your best to manage this feeling by getting some light exercise and/or practicing relaxation exercises.
- Anger: Many individuals experience anger to the point of rage during withdrawal from alcohol. This anger is typically a result of our inability to relax and in part due to the fact that the brain is sensitive during withdrawal. Neurotransmitter levels have not recovered to baseline and this may make you more prone to anger outbursts.
- Anxiety: The amount of anxiety people experience from alcohol withdrawal can be extreme. This may be due to changes in neurotransmitter levels (specifically GABA) as a result of extensive alcohol use. Additionally consistent alcohol abuse can diminish our natural ability to relax because the brain has become reliant on the alcohol to induce relaxation. Over time, your brain and nervous system will recover, but be prepared to deal with some anxiety during withdrawal.
- Appetite loss: A large percentage of people will notice that their appetite changes during alcohol withdrawal. If you notice that you are lacking appetite, understand that it’s merely a withdrawal symptom. Over time as your body resets itself, your appetite should come back.
- Blood pressure increases: In some cases people experience hypertension (high blood pressure) when they stop consuming alcohol. If you know that your blood pressure could be problematic, consult a doctor and discuss what can be done to manage this symptom. They may suggest taking something like Clonidine – which can help control blood pressure and may take an edge off of other symptoms.
- Confusion: You may experience severe confusion when you initially stop drinking alcohol. This confusion is in part due to neurotransmitter changes, but also due to the array of other psychological symptoms such as poor concentration and memory functioning during withdrawal.
- Concentration problems: It is very common to experience foggy thinking and lack of concentration when you withdraw from alcohol. It may seem impossible to focus on schoolwork and/or job-related tasks. Do your best to tough out the lack of concentration and do what you can to get through each day. The brain will eventually recover and you’ll be able to concentrate again – it just may take some time.
- Cravings: Although many people that quit drinking alcohol are mentally determined to do so, it can be difficult to deal with cravings that arise during withdrawal. Some people experience such extreme cravings that they have a difficult time gradually tapering off of alcohol and or becoming fully sober. Do your best to deal with any cravings by getting rid of all excess alcohol once you have fully tapered yourself down.
- Crying spells: The depression that people experience during alcohol withdrawal can be debilitating. This may lead people to feel hopeless and inevitably breakdown and cry. If you find yourself crying often during withdrawal, just know that you will eventually experience emotional recovery.
- Delirium tremens: People experience major fluctuations in nervous system functioning during alcohol withdrawal. This is a more common symptom in people who drink large amounts of alcohol every single day for months. It also is more likely to affect individuals who have had an alcohol habit for many years. Essentially this is a psychotic state in which an alcoholic experiences tremors (shakes), anxiety, feels disoriented, and can possibly hallucinate.
- Depression: Do you feel severely depressed now that you have stopped drinking? This is relatively normal and is in part due to neurotransmitter changes in the brain. As your brainwave functioning and neurotransmitters reestablish homeostasis, your mood should lift. Keep in mind that you may feel depressed for awhile, most people don’t recover overnight.
- Depersonalization: If you feel unlike your natural self and/or almost like a zombie, just know that this is another possible withdrawal symptom. This is caused by changes in brain functioning and can actually be exacerbated by anxiety. Do your best to keep the faith that you will eventually feel normal again because you will.
- Dilated pupils: You may notice that your pupils become enlarged and dilated when you withdraw. While drinking, most people experience pupil constriction due to the depressant effect it has on the nervous system. When you come off of alcohol your nervous system elicits the opposite response and pupils dilate.
- Dizziness: A very common symptom to experience during withdrawal is that of dizziness. You may feel dizzy to the point of vertigo and/or feel as if you have a difficult time maintaining balance. The dizziness can be uncomfortable, but it will eventually lessen and eventually stop over time.
- Fatigue: Don’t be surprised if you feel so tired that you cannot get out of bed in the morning. If you have been using alcohol for a long time, you may feel weak and tired. Your body and brain are likely completely drained of energy and will need some rest to function soberly.
- Fever: Some individuals experience spikes in body temperature when they stop drinking and become sick. Most people that get fevers will only have “low grade” fevers, but it is possible to run higher fevers as well.
- Hallucinations: Some people actually experience psychotic symptoms when they withdraw from alcohol. This can include hallucinations, which are regarded as seeing and/or hearing things that aren’t based in reality. Most people do not hallucinate when they stop drinking, but it is possible for more chronic, long-term alcoholics.
- Headache: Another very obvious symptom that people experience is that of headaches. Even short-term drinkers experience various degrees of headaches when they stop drinking. You may experience light headaches and/or something more severe like a migraine. These will eventually go away with proper rest as time passes.
- Heart palpitations: The symptom of palpitations can be somewhat alarming to a person who has never experienced them before. These are basically feelings that your heart is pounding especially loudly and/or racing. If you react to these with anxiety and panic, they will likely become more severe. As your anxiety subsides and your body relaxes again, these will diminish.
- Insomnia: Some people drink alcohol because it depresses the nervous system and helps them fall asleep. During withdrawal not only are many people anxious, they experience significant changes in sleep patterns – which can inevitably lead to insomnia. Just know that it is very normal to experience insomnia when you withdraw. Your sleep pattern should correct itself over time.
- Irritability: Withdrawal from alcohol can lead to irritability as a result of changes in GABA functioning. When you have adequate GABA, you are able to keep calm and don’t get bothered by minor things. Insufficient GABA can lead a person to feel irritable and unable to stay calm.
- Itching: Some people have reported that they experience intensely itchy skin during withdrawal. The itch can feel almost like a rash in regards to severity and/or like bugs crawling all over the skin. The cause of this isn’t fully understood but one theory suggests that it’s the result of the central nervous system reactivating itself via nerve endings after being numbed by the alcohol for an extended period.
- Joint pain: Do you feel pain in your joints now that you are going through withdrawal? This is especially common and largely due to the fact that alcohol can numb any sensations of pain. Additionally your body may have been in a drunken stupor for such a long time that reactivation of joint functioning causes some minor aches.
- Mood swings: Most people can expect some sort of mood swings during their withdrawal. One minute you may feel deeply depressed and hopeless, the next you may be optimistic about the withdrawal process. Understand that changes in mood such as feelings of anger, sadness, apathy, anxiety, etc. will all gradually stabilize.
- Muscle weakness: A lot of people who drink consistently don’t get adequate exercise. Heavy drinking and minimal exercise is a recipe for muscle weakness. Your muscles may have actually become weaker due to lack of exercise and stagnation during the period in which you drank heavily. The weakness is also in part due to your body adapting to the detoxification process.
- Nausea: If you feel really nauseated during the first few weeks of withdrawal, this is pretty normal. The nausea may become intense at times and lead to vomiting. It may be difficult to work through this symptom, but eventually you will recover.
- Nightmares: A lot of people end up having to deal with nightmares, bad dreams, and crazy dreams when they stop drinking. The nightmares may be caused by poor sleep quality and the brain attempting to function sober again.
- Panic attacks: Some people experience such intense anxiety that it escalates to a panic attack. Panic attacks are caused by intense surges of uncontrollable anxiety. These are thought to be caused by disruptions with GABA neurotransmitter levels; when they drop, it’s easy for panic to set in. If you notice yourself experiencing panic, it is advised to practice relaxation techniques as they will calm the nervous system and promote desensitization to environmental triggers.
- Seizures: One of the dangers associated with rapid withdrawal or quitting alcohol “cold turkey” after extensive usage is that of seizures. If you quit cold turkey, you may not have adequate GABA in the brain to inhibit electrical activity. The electrical activity may spike, which could lead to a seizure. Seizures are more common in long-term alcoholics and/or people who have withdrawn from alcohol many times.
- Sleep disturbances: In addition to experiencing general insomnia, your entire sleep cycle may be thrown off schedule. You may be unable to sleep at night, but may feel tired during the day. Additionally you may fall asleep and not be able to stay asleep for a long period of time. For long term drinkers it may take over a month for your sleep cycle to correct itself.
- Suicidal thinking: The depression, anxiety, and panic that can set in during withdrawal can take a major psychological toll. If at any point you feel suicidal, recognize that although you feel crappy, you will eventually feel better. If you are unable to cope with this feeling, seek out a professional therapist. Typically as time passes, your emotions will stabilize and you’ll feel less depressed.
- Sweating: Most people notice heavy night sweats when they are going through detoxification from alcohol. With that said, you may also sweat profusely throughout the day. The amount you sweat should gradually lessen and normalize within a few weeks.
- Tremors: You may notice that your hands and/or other body parts constantly shake. Shaking is a symptom that many heavy drinkers experience during the tapering process and after they have had their last drink. Recognize that this symptom may be very uncomfortable, but it should subside over time.
- Vomiting: Most individuals who drink a lot can attest to feeling flu-like symptoms when they stop using alcohol. One of the symptoms that people experience is that of vomiting. Consider taking something like Pepto-Bismol to calm your stomach. Additionally make sure that you are drinking plenty of water as vomiting can lead to dehydration.
Note: While certain symptoms may be noticeable during the “tapering” process, a majority will emerge after alcohol has been fully cleared from your body. For further information about how alcohol is metabolized and the rate by which it is eliminated, read the article: “How long does alcohol stay in your system?”
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: How long do they last?
There is no exact predictable timeline that can be universally followed for withdrawal from alcohol. Although many people may experience most intense symptoms within the first few days of withdrawal (the acute phase), some end up dealing with severe withdrawal symptoms for weeks and in other cases months since their last drink (post-acute phase). The severity of symptoms as well as the duration of withdrawal will largely depend on individual circumstances.
Individuals who are naturally less sensitive to withdrawal and have a supportive environment may recover at a quicker rate than people who are highly sensitive to withdrawal symptoms. Additionally someone who has been drinking heavily for years and is withdrawing may experience much more intense and longer-lasting symptoms, compared to someone who was only drinking for a couple months. It is important to understand that the withdrawal process is a highly unique and individualized based on many personal factors.
Some people may only end up experiencing intense symptoms for a few weeks and gradually improve, while others don’t notice any symptoms until they have been off of alcohol for a few weeks. Some people report pretty intense withdrawal symptoms for up to 6 weeks after their last drink, while other people end up going through protracted withdrawals that last up to 3 months. As a rule of thumb for any major withdrawal, I always recommend giving yourself 90 days before reevaluating how you feel and your symptoms.
Although it can be difficult to wait a full 3 months, a majority of people will be able to notice significant improvement after this duration of time. By waiting 90 days you have given your nervous system more time to adapt to sober functioning and you will likely be able to recognize some clear improvements in your recovery compared to the first couple weeks of withdrawal. Keep in mind that in some cases, protracted withdrawal symptoms can last up to a full year.
In the meantime, make sure that you don’t get caught up in how long the symptoms are going to last, rather take the time to focus on recovery. Take things one day at a time and if necessary, one hour at a time in the early phases of withdrawal. One tough hour may seem like a marathon, but you will survive and eventually experience full recovery. Each day try to focus on doing healthy things for yourself like eating good foods, staying hydrated, resting, getting good sleep, staying productive as possible, talking with friends, and consider some light exercise.
If you are currently dealing with alcohol withdrawal symptoms and/or have already survived alcohol withdrawal, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below. By sharing your experience, you may give someone else some encouragement and/or hope that they need in order to make it through this challenge.
I’m 36 years old and I’ve been drinking heavily since I was 21 years old. I joined the military when I was 17 and was taught by many superiors that alcohol consumption was the way to deal with stress. By the time I was 21 I began to drink a lot since I was of legal age. After returning home from Afghanistan I got back into a reserve military unit.
Since being a reservist I needed a full time job and figured law enforcement was a good route for a combat veteran. After 10 years in law enforcement I had to resign because my heavy drinking was going to eventually cost me not only my police certification, but my wife and kids as well. I now work part time and I’m still a member of the reserves, but within the last year my alcoholism began to effect my military career as well.
I admitted myself to a 28 day rehab center, and after only a few hours of my release I was drinking again. I was admitted to the VA hospital for about 2 months and treated for PTSD and alcoholism. I made it 3 months, the thought I had it beat and began to drink again. I am now on my 3rd day of sobriety and am awake at 5 am because I again woke up in a pool of sweat. I have seen my doctor who has prescribed Antabuse (makes you really sick if you consume alcohol).
Somehow I have found the courage to start again, but this time instead of focusing on my relapses, I’m proud of myself for the length of time I remained sober prior to the relapses. Tomorrow I will be assigned a sponsor at my AA meeting and my wife is helping me remain accountable to my medication to prevent me from consuming alcohol by watching me take it.
I have been only lucky to not have been in trouble with the law for my alcohol use, but I’m sure that day would be rapidly approaching if had not found the shred of inner courage to get back up, dust myself off, realize I’m a good person with a real disease, and GO GET HELP. I’ve never shared this before and I have no idea what gave me the courage to do it now, but I feel somewhat less burdened by my shame by talking about it.
Hopefully someone reading this and realize that if I can muster the strength to get up again, then they can as well. We have the disease of alcoholism, but we are not the disease. Remember to love yourself for your accomplishments (however small) and forgive yourself for your shortcomings. Pray for me as I pray for you and we will get through this.
What a beautiful post. Thank you. I have no idea if you’ll come back here again but if you do I want you to see my acknowledgment of you and your commitment. Here are some things I’ve never said: I was (secretly) married to a retired army officer who, I’m going to guess, suffered from PTSD and (I know this part for sure) enormous guilt for decades and who died of alcoholism, his organs failing one after the other.
We married late in his life and early in mine. I was not yet a drinker and, while I had enormous compassion for his pain, I didn’t really understand it. We fight about his drinking, I railed against it and my impotence in the face it, trying over and over to be compelling enough that he’d want to stop. I just didn’t understand the way I do now.
Ultimately, he had a stroke and, wanting to die, was happy to be in the hospital where he would not have access to alcohol. I didn’t know about DTs so I didn’t that either. I held him for the last three days of his life as he slowly drifted away. Our marriage was unusual, me being a young woman with an incurable disease, he being an elderly retired WWII veteran and recent widower.
We clung to each other in a small isolated town because we were both on the way out and appreciated having company. But then he died and I didn’t. I often think that if he’d had access to AA or any supportive program, or really had wanted to quit, we would have had an entirely different life. I’m so grateful to read your words, so glad for YOU AND for your family that you have chosen life.
Best wishes to you. Perhaps you, like all the other wonderful people who’ve posted here, will come back and update us on your life after drinking. I intend to, once I myself stop. Peace to you.
I am 39. I have been drinking whiskey every day for almost a year. I drank way too much the week before last and I woke up and I felt fine. I went to work and got really sick at work. My heart started to beat so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I ended up going to the ER, they did an EKG and a chest x ray and everything was good.
I did a follow-up with my doctor and both the er doctor and my doctor said to stop drinking alcohol. I followed their advice and the next couple of days I felt like I was going to die. My heart continued to race and I called a detox center and they did not advise quitting cold turkey unless you’re in a facility so they can monitor you.
It’s been over a week and I am having a few beers a day and I really hate beer but I don’t know what else to do. My heart still races from time to time and I feel like I have no energy. Reading everyones comments on here has really helped me to understand that I’m not the only one who has been through this. I don’t want to drink anymore, I just want my heart to stop racing.
Thank you to all who have contributed here. I’m 37, a mother of 3, and a teacher (for crying out loud!) and I haven’t had a drink for just over 3 weeks after drinking heavily for 20 years. The last 5 years have been the worst, with a bottle of wine a night being a normal night for me, and two or even three if I got really bad.
I have also quit smoking. People close to me have known for a long time about my problem. My husband would say I was in denial but I wasn’t, I just felt justified in drinking to block out some crappy life experiences. I knew what I was doing was bad for me, for him and our children, and the guilt and the shame were difficult to deal with but still, I drank, sometimes not remembering how I got to bed or what I’d said late at night when socialising.
Still cringing now. Not sure what made me quit, but like others have said, I feel different this time. When I was pregnant I drank rarely and only one glass, but I constantly felt deprived and obsessed over whether a champagne at Christmas was ok etc. The only withdrawal symptom I am struggling with is extreme fatigue. Wow, it is intense! Good luck to all and thanks again.
Six months with no alcohol. I quit 179 days ago because I found out that as a retired guy my health insurance would not cover a rehab program. As an employee I could have had treatment free…but I tired it once in 1994 and it didn’t really help. I am not a 12-step kind of guy. I don’t have any horror stories about missing work, losing jobs, lying, cheating, etc.
So I decided on a two step program consisting of, 1. Putting the glass (and or can) down and 2. Not picking the glass or can up again. It has worked fine until about day 172. So 7-8 days ago I began to have serious night sweats. Nothing for the first 171 days. I was shocked. That was followed by craving. I found myself wanting, needing a drink.
My habit prior to stopping was about six ounces of Vodka a night and two-three beers as a chaser between drinks. Used to drink martinis but that graduated to straight neat 2-ounce drinks (maybe even more!) three times a night in front of the Television. I don’t know what is going on now because I thought I was through the “hard” part since I didn’t have DTs or nightmares when I first quit or even now.
Didn’t have the desire or need early on but now I do. My work has just begun. I live alone and could drive to a liquor store in ten minutes… nobody but me would know. So, during the past week it has been hell but I do not want to drink and am grateful every time I wake up and realize I did not give in. So, I read that you have to get through a full year before things get much better. That is bad news to me but understandable.
I’ve been drinking heavy 30 plus years so I didn’t ever think I’d be thrilled with my progress at six months (maybe I’ll feel different at six years?) I am also 74 years old. Before I stopped drinking my liver and heart were healthy and I wasn’t obese. There are some pluses I can report. I dropped about 20 pounds. My high blood pressure meds were cut by 50% and BP is in the 120/80 range.
The best plus is that I can visit and get visits from my kids and my grandchildren at a moment’s notice because I am not drunk. I have lost my appetite now and the night sweats this past week have both been difficult to deal with. I haven’t made any excuses to myself yet about why I can start again. However, I do have a nagging feeling that six months from now I may die of a heart attack and if I had that vision and proof it was correct, I’d start drinking in a minute so I know I have missed one important thing.
That is that I stopped a bad habit of drinking but I did not replace it with a good habit. That fact is giving me fits. I know I need to replace the habit but I do not know with what. So, here I sit. The liquor stores will be closed in a couple of hours and I’ll be safe until tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do?
I figure I have saved about $10K in treatment costs for the first six months and I’ve saved my liver from at least 1074 ounces of Skyy and 537 cans of Bud. I realize I started this wrong because I did not “taper off” but I am not a good taper candidate. Still… I need to know how long these sweats are going to last and why did they start six months after I stopped?
David, Your story is inspiring! Bravo to you for making the decision to quit! You’ll find that those “plus’s” you listed (quite a few of them!) FAR outweigh the cons… you’ll add years to your life, and you’ll feel SO much better the more time that passes! (Sounds vague and cliché, but it’s absolutely true!).
As far as your night sweats, your blood vessels are still likely dilated, especially at night when you’re all covered up in blankets, and your body is trying to get used to its natural functions again.. Why you did not have night sweats in the beginning but now you do? Perhaps since you did not ‘taper’, you still had enough alcohol in your system to keep the symptoms at bay for a while, but now that a decent amount of time has passed, you’ll notice them moreso now than before.. (just an idea)…
BUT, don’t over-focus on these symptoms, simply treat them as they come; sweating? Try sleeping in your underpants, or with a fan pointed at you, or with just a sheet and no blanket.. Anxiety? Try doing something else, that you know makes you happy, that releases endorphins, or even try something new! When it comes to cravings, you could try filling your glass with something ELSE, rather than putting the glass down and not picking it up…
Having that glass or can in your hand is half of the habit, just like a smoker is accustomed to having the butt between their fingers. What I found works is, seltzer water with juice and/or fruit, sometimes I just drink juice (100% juice, the good stuff) out of a wine glass… Could even try a non-alcoholic beer in between juice cocktails.
And, not to promote one crutch in place of another, but you could try smoking a bit of pot from time to time! :-) It’s much safer, non addictive, and takes off the “edge” in a way that alcohol does, except for it only lasts a couple hours, and the worst that could happen is you get the munchies and everything seems unusually funny! The main thing is, stay positive…
This is YOUR choice, this is something YOU are in control of, keep trying different things, treat the symptoms, and tell yourself “I’m do not drink anymore”… Good luck and God speed! <3
I’ve almost made it a week without drinking. I feel completely miserable and god awful… Is it normal to feel completely detached from life? Also, I feel like I’ve lost my “soul”… Everything seems unreal. If anyone has felt this way by all means let me know. I have this impending sense of dread that never seems to go away. I can’t sleep. I’m praying that this will someday subside… It’s either that, or I’ll just crawl back into a bottle and stay there.
Matt, It’s normal. It’s who you really are. In that being sober is more real. I went over 30 days sober til I had a business trip. Went back to my old ways and my body is like… what’d you do to me? I have to stop. I’m now dizzy. And will go through withdrawals again. And now I know what it means to go back. Hope I can get inspiration from all of you. Good night all.
Thank you for your article. I’ve been drinking 3/4 of a litre of vodka per day for 15 years and had only a small number of hang overs over that time. I made the decision to give up five days ago. I did it cold turkey and felt fine on day 1 except for cravings. Since then I couldn’t understand why I was becoming dizzier and foggier day by day rather than more balanced and clearer thinking.
Last night I had itches all over my body and thought one of the animals I had come into contact with during the day had lice. For the last 2 nights I’ve had bad night sweats and interesting dreams. This morning I found your article. It’s too late to reduce slowly. Looks like I’ve got a little way to go and thanks to your article I now have an idea of what’s happening to me. Once again thank you and warm regards.
I’ve been an alcoholic for about 13 years… drinking hard liquor about a fifth every weekend. I am ten days sober now and I am doing it cold turkey. I’m scared but trying to be strong… if there is anyone out there that can give me any pointers on this… it would help. By the way, I used to weigh 185… now I’m over 300. Will quitting the drink help me lose weight?
I am now over a month sober. I’m not counting days. This is the longest I’ve gone without a drink since I was of age to drink, and when I was pregnant.
I’m on vacation and its the first time in years that I didn’t hide vodka in all sorts of containers. Didn’t go find the local liquor store. Feels good. And now sitting at a wine bar restaurant and just having water with my dinner.
I found this blog several weeks ago and read it every nite before I go to bed to get inspiration from all of you. Thank you. I had the withdrawals you all have mentioned. Not terrible. Worst was the blood pressure changes. I also quit smoking at the same time. And since I’m not drinking 800 to 1000 calories a day I’ve lost over one dress size.
I read this cause I’m doing this alone. No one knows. I was a very good functioning alcoholic. The worst was my cancelling plans and not accepting invites cause I was too drunk to drive or too concerned about how I was going to drink and manage going out. Now I just say I quit drinking cause I quit smoking. And yes they buy it. I wish you all stay strong.
Hang in there Lina… I am doing it alone too… six months sober and it is difficult. I have a longer post on my situation. I just wanted to say every morning that you wake up be thankful you got through the previous day without drinking. I celebrate each night AFTER the liquor stores close because I know I made it through another day!
Thank you David. Stay strong too!
I drank pretty heavily over the course of around two years. I quit cold turkey only four days ago. The first day was fine until the end of the day when the alcohol level finally ran out. I had the shakes, had troubles even getting the glass of water to my lips. I also had the cold sweats, felt like a woman who was going through menopause.
The first night of sleep (Can’t call it sleep, just still). The second day still had the shakes and hot flashes. I had a tension headache that was unbelievable. Sleep was the same, just laid still. The third day the shakes stopped, but still the hot flashes continued day and night. Took a couple of excedrin PM and did get some sleep, my wife said I was talking in my sleep had never done that before.
Today, I feel much better but still have a tension headache drinking about a gallon water a day and finally started eating right. Feel tired and weak and my vision is starting to return, I do have muscle cramps (legs, fingers and toes) and I did from day one. Looking forward to feeling better soon. A lot of great information on this site thanks.
Is hypertension one of the post-acute symptoms? I am 3 weeks post-detox (at a detox facility) and for the last two days my BP has been very high. I have essential hypertension and it has always been very well managed by medication but, for the last two days well, it has been spiking.
Fred, yes high BP is a side effect. I monitored mine and upped my dosage. I’d recommend seeing a doctor.
I have drank nightly (6-10) drinks 5-6 days a week for the last 8 years. I travel a great deal and it was much less lonely to sit at the bar and eat, drink and socialize (with other drinkers) than sit at a table by myself. After not being able to remember everything that happened one night last week (first time that has happened).
I’ve had enough. I’ve exercised from time to time but not on any kind of a regular basis. I’m on day 3 of cold turkey and feel great but am wondering if I shouldn’t go with the weaning strategy discussed in this forum? It’s a little scary that some very bad symptoms can manifest themselves weeks later.
I’m on day 59 after drinking crazily for years. I got to the point where I completely hated myself, I was pudgy, couldn’t work properly and was generally hung-over most of the time. I had considered stopping for many years so on New Year’s Eve I decided to quit. My plan was an alcohol free 2016 – although I’m now realizing that this needs to be forever.
I’ve hated the withdrawals, still do. I feel like crap most days. I have no energy, tired, irritable, cranky, generally feeling low and wondering if it will ever end. I had severe headaches for weeks and frequent migraines. The headaches are slightly better but still getting shocking migraines. I’m truly wondering whether I’ll ever be happy and energetic ever again? I’m not giving up, even though I’d love a social drink but there is NO way I’m living through these 59 days ever again.
There is true power in our choice not to drink. If we wait out the symptoms we have the potential to be our best selves and live our best lives: and along the way helping others to do the same. This is about more than us, it’s about our families, friends and the good we can do in this world. Keep going, I am. Thanks for all your comments, makes me feel very normal.
After drinking every evening at home a minimum half bottle of wine for the last 10 years, I decided from 1st January 2016 to only drink alcohol when out with friends socializing. At first I couldn’t relax, I felt agitated, I couldn’t get to sleep and was pacing the house when I would normally have been popping the cork. I decided I needed to replace “one habit with another”.
Keeping myself busy has been my pastime, sorting papers, tidying draws, baking, anything to keep me from sitting down thinking about that glass. Each week, I have felt better and the need to keep busy has also subsided and I can now relax without the wine and wake up feeling refreshed. Hey you think all is good, however, on Friday night I was out with friends and decided I deserved a drink as I had been good, I had one bottle of wine which pre Jan 16 would have left me with a headache for the first couple of hours of the next day, nothing pain relief couldn’t fix.
This time I couldn’t open my eyes my head hurt so much, I vomited, my fingers and toes felt numb, I couldn’t look at any form of light. I got up at 8.00pm the following evening and felt ill for the following three days, tired and dizzy with no energy. Am thinking should I, or could I ever drink alcohol again?
Very informative article. I’m coming from a slightly different angle – I’m married to an alcoholic, he left the marital home in May after 2 years of exceptionally heavy drinking – I couldn’t live with him anymore, I love him with all my heart but his alcoholism was controlling both our lives. For him it was his life, for me I was watching the man I love turn into a monster while he slowly killed himself.
He seemed to reach an epiphany around Christmas time and sought help. He has been attending an addiction unit for 2 months gradually reducing his alcohol intake and has had no alcohol now for 7 days. I always made it clear that when and if he decided to “find sobriety” I would support him all the way. He has shared everything with me and we have talked openly every step of the way since Christmas.
I have researched withdrawal symptoms but I guess there’s no better advice than from people that have experienced them – hence this! I’m finding it REALLY difficult dealing with his mood swings, one minute he’s rational chatting away then suddenly the nasty verbally abusive alcoholic is back in the room blaming me for all his shortcomings. This has been going on for a few weeks now.
He’s grumpy and always on edge along with loss of appetite and profuse sweating which I understand are side effects of withdrawal. He says he feels “disconnected” with himself, no emotion, it’s like he’s watching things going on in his life but feels nothing.. Has anyone else felt like this? I’m finding it hard trying to support him when he’s so unpredictable-does this pass? To all battling with this disease I wish you nothing but success on your journeys.
Very helpful article, and I’m amazed at the number of comments (too many to read all of them). I’ve been drinking since I was 16 or 17 and it’s been 99% beer and never daily. But I’m 52 years old now and I drank every other day pretty much and had 6-8 pints… unable to stop when I knew I’d had enough.
In the last month, I’ve had multiple nights that I was lucky to get home safely and significant blackouts. That scared me enough to commit to stopping or at least reducing the amount I’m consuming a lot! Only on day 10 right now and had one day that I had two light beers at a social/work dinner. I set up a good support network and let them know on days that I know might be dangerous for me… if you can do that, it helps!
Anyways, I searched this article out because like a lot of you, I’ve been incredibly tired, constant dull headache and my sleep patterns are not normal. I’m so glad to know this is normal and I can not wait for my body to adjust… I just hope it doesn’t take as long as some of you out there have been suffering. Keep the faith!
I’ve been living in Tuscany Italy for the last 26 years. The normalcy of alcohol on a daily basis is overwhelming and highly accepted. And great wine is cheaper than any kind of pop. I have been on the roller coaster of sober for a few weeks to a few months, to starting my morning with a Belgium beer and then sipping on wine all day. Until it gets out of control.
And repeat cycle. The withdrawal symptoms are very familiar to me. So yes, I am a functioning alcoholic. One sip and I start again. I’m only in 5 days but the benefits are starting. The night before I stopped, I wrote on my computer (so drunk I couldn’t spell): When you drink you are: Incoherent, Unmotivated, Bloated, Nasty, Intolerant, Fake, Emotional, Aged, Delusional, Unproductive.
You are stronger than your demons. I printed them out and posted them in every room. I keep adding to the list. And I took my waist measurement. This has been an effective inspiration and I accept the withdrawal symptoms easier. It is so important to take vitamins (for some reason too lazy to take when I drink) and eat well (easy here in Tuscany).
I discovered that taking Magnesium pidolate before bedtime helps sleeping. I hope one day I will be able to say “I’ve been sober for years”.
Hello all, I have been drinking for 8 month only beer. usually 6-7 5% beers daily only after 8 pm. Now I have decided to quit because I feel it is hindering me to function as I used to do. Even though it is just beer, but I still go through bad withdrawal symptoms as some of you guys mentioned.
Such as my body temperature changes out of the sudden, my whole body start tingling, I feel many weird sensations on my chest like pressure, or sometimes electric shocks. Do you guys think it is due to alcohol tapering symptoms? Thanks.
Currently on day two with nausea, diarrhea and mild shakes. Horrible dreams too. I know in a few more days things will be lots better.
Great article, summarizes the method, symptoms of withdrawal and possible solutions. At nearly 61, after drinking for 30 years, towards end 250 ml every night, I left cold turkey one fine day. It has been 21 days, there has really no urge to drink even socially. No withdrawal symptoms except less appetite and constipation, which may be inter related due to decreased intake of food.
I do however suffer from forgetfulness, fogginess, generalized disorientation, confusion and a few such symptoms, which I was thinking may be age related, due to long alcohol abuse as well as due to a seizure and resultant brain hemorrhage (when sober) episode that I have closer year and a half.
I feel it is more of mental make up and less of physical, firstly to indulge and then to leave. For example, one day, in place of alcohol, I poured a small drink of water, then soda; drank up a few pegs, have my dinner with no difference. I did not feel I missed out on my drink quota for the day, the reason I say, it is mental!
Leaving drinking and staying sober is doable, just forget about drinking and get involved in other things! God bless you all who are on your way to stay sober! With best wishes!
I was a heavy drinker for 20 years (8-10ounces per day). I am approaching my third month of sobriety. I go to the gym 5 days a week, have been for the past year. I feel like I could sleep all day and it is very hard to focus. Is this ever going away? I feel like I have aged 10 years…
I’m itching still… 90 days sober. It’s not as bad, but it’s driving me mad. Could it be liver disease?
Have your liver enzymes tested? I have fatty liver and they go up and down some. Also got tested for HEP as doc was worried. That was NEG.
I have been drinking on average a six pack a day for about 3-4 years. I cut back and pretty much stopped drinking everyday for about 2 weeks now. I am suffering from nausea and mild headaches. It is uncomfortable sometimes.
I have been a occasional to heavy drinker my whole teenage (occasional) to (heavy) adult life with a spike to 12 heavy beers a night (4.9 percent) so 16 standard drinks a night for the past 10 to 12 years. I am a 34 year old female that weighs 54 kilos and is 5’4″ tall. My father was an alcoholic, consuming a few bottles of wine a night and I grew up watching that.
I recently had an epiphany and tried to quit taper dramatically only to have a full blown seizure. I am not epileptic and had no knowledge of this symptom of long term alcoholic abuse when going cold turkey. Luckily my best mate was present and although drunk, knew what to do and cleared the area for me, checking airways etc. After reading up on google (my constant companion these days, thanks anxiety…).
I realized a taper would work much better for me. I was trying to taper… and was doing well and had gotten from 12 to 8 in two weeks. However yesterday was Australia day here and I drank way too much resulting in me getting so drunk that I lost my my visa card, my sh*t and my best mate all in on swoop. When I discovered that my wallet was missing, I literally threw a toddler tantrum on the street, inclusive of smacking my head on the pavement and screaming.
My best mate walked off, he is still not talking to me. I now have more than just a hangover to deal with. Anyway I have been getting liver and kidney pains, anxiety, sleeplessness and then weird dreams, sweats and shivers, horrible depression and suicidal thoughts, feelings of hopelessness and general unease, pains and tightness in the chest, heart palpitations, confusion, panic attacks, crying fits, fatigue, a stuffy nose, twinges of pain in the gut and groin area, FIA attitude, urges to do horrible things, but what is most disconcerting is a disconnect from everyone else…
I’m walking around and I don’t feel human anymore. I’m sitting here tonight with only 3 beers under me. It really feels like poison now and it has for days..I don’t really want to drink on a daily basis anymore but Im so scared about a seizure. I’ve have been really careful about my alcohol reduction over the past two weeks, reducing by a 3 beers, but Australia Day sorta messed it up for me.
I thought I could hack it but I got way carried away. I call environment and peer pressure. It’s hard on a holiday that encourages drinking. I WAS being productive and making jam that morning. I made a beautiful apple and blackcurrant jam. I should of stayed home but I ended up on a roll with what I was justifying as “before beers” and was telling myself that I was not going to drink heaps out.
That turned out to be bullsh*t, didn’t it? Anyway, this article is BRILLIANT. The comments are BRILLIANT. I have gotten a lot of great advice and am going to be bookmaking this for future reference. Any advice anyone could give me regarding my recovery would be greatly appreciated, but I am just blown away that I found a comment thread that might actually help me. Thank you!
I am in only my 2nd day of being sober and am so scared of relapsing. I have tried quitting several times but every day stressors of being a single mom and a care taker for my elderly mom has made it so difficult. I too have stopped for 2 to 3 weeks at at time but go right back to drinking since I feel like it is the only thing to help me forget about my problems, but they are there the next morning along with a terrible hangover.
I actually just started yoga and working out at home and I am hoping to get the courage to start AA. Wish me luck everyone and thanks for all the encouraging comments and I pray we all can one day get sober for good!!
I am on day 13. I started drinking daily approx 6years ago. I never really got drunk an disorderly because mostly I was using it to cope and a couple to a few glasses of wine made me sleepy and gave me permission to duck out and disappear. In those 6 years I had a lot I wanted to run from – terrible self-esteem, a difficult marriage, the death of a beloved sibling and my own breast cancer.
The drinking was placated by everyone including health care providers… I know compared to some of these stories that no one is thinking 3 glasses of wine s a big deal. But it was everyday – every day. If I missed a day I made up for it the next day. Always the same amount of bottles in the recycling – the recycling I tried to hide. I have been experiencing a low grade, but constant headaches – it is very worrying to me – not because the pain is overwhelming…
From reading this I think maybe it is a symptom of withdrawal and then maybe it is my cancer back- and this makes me want to hide again and numb the pain- I am trying to be brave and not go there. I read here about the itchiness to and I have been so itchy – head and neck mostly, but it wasn’t something I would have thought could be a symptom.
I think because no one, including me, thought that my drinking is was a problem – or at least not much of one – then probably it wouldn’t be much of a problem to stop. I am shocked. I am struggling.
I have been drinking heavily since January 2008. My husband and I upped our alcohol consumption from a 12 pack of Bud Light to 24 pack and on a good night about 36 beers. Just recently (21 days ago) he decided to quit. I have been wanting to but I needed his support as well. I have experienced a lower heart rate.
Mind you I quit smoking cigarettes and I am vaping at the time but plan to quit this as well. My doctor wants to see if I can wean myself off blood pressure medicine due to the drop. The other is my skin is tight, tingling and itchy. It is rather aggravating. I hope this will eventually stop as I am prone to hives.
I feel much better about myself. Lifestyle change has been the biggest issue and I tire faster but sleep very well. Overall, I am happy about our decision. I wonder all the time how I managed to get myself to this point. Something I said I would never do with two alcoholic parents.
I’ve been drinking daily for the last four months. I started drinking heavily after a traumatic experience that has left me with anxiety and depression. I’m in my mid 30’s and female. I started off drinking a bottle of wine every night, more on weekends. I get anxiety prior to any social outing (including work) so I usually slam a Heineken or chug a glass of wine just to get ready as the traumatic event affected the way I look.
I always feel like crap as soon as the buzz wears off and crave more to keep the buzz going. I sit in my car during my lunch break and drink some more.
My tolerance has increased so much I started buying a box of wine every other day. I recently saw a photo of myself and my face is huge now due to the weight gain and alcohol consumption. I decided yesterday I don’t want to do this anymore.
I was going to quit cold turkey until I saw this article. I started tapering yesterday, I only had 2 large glasses of wine before bed vs 10. I will do the same tonight. Only symptom so far is a headache and temperature fluctuations. Yesterday I was ice cold, today I’m cold but my face is all hot and red. Alcohol should be illegal.
33 year old male: I’ve been drinking heavy everyday for the past 6 years at least from what I can actually remember… I’ve decided to taper after a few days of doing cold turkey…worst feeling I have ever had puking all morning, shakes so bad ANXIETY THROUGH THE ROOF! Today I went to the Dr and got calazapone to help for the first 30 days and started a med called Pristiq. I must say right now I’m feeling way better and I see a light at the end of the tunnel… it won’t be easy but it’s do-able.
I’m at the point where I am scared to sober up, my symptoms are so bad that I feel my hangover is going to kill me… I sleep maybe 3 hours in the night now and constantly have to wake up and have a few drinks to feel better. I need help and I don’t know where to start :(.
I drink gatorade in the middle of the night. If your body is dehydrated, the feeling of that will cause you to wake up. I am only 5 days sober, I just woke up one day and saw myself in the mirror. I am almost 42, the wrinkles around my eyes, the bags. By the 3rd day of no drinking the sadness, the crying, the depression of all the damage I’ve done to others, why I’ve never been able to hold on to a relationship, blaming others for my own faults.
Last night the feeling of anger, today the crying again. But, I do know this, I don’t want to drink. I live with an alcoholic who is still continuing to drink, which makes things worse. Watching them stay up all night and realizing we have nothing in common except alcohol. Whatever your lifestyle is at the moment, must change. Only you have to want that change. Best of luck.
I’ve been there. Trust me, a medical detox can and will help you. It’s really miserable and extremely dangerous to quit on your own; it can be fatal. Please reach out to an alcohol detox facility in your area. Best wishes to you!
Hi there. Thanks for the info and to the other readers who have commented. Day 8 for me after a good 14yrs of binge drinking (red wine) two and a half bottles a session. I would have drank everyday but for the fact I worked nights where I never drank on those nights but at my worst I would drink as soon as I got home in the morning if I wasn’t working that night… sleep it off then drink that night.
Then finally I woke up last week feeling so seedy and having many things I had to do that day plus work that night and I thought “thats it… I’ve finally had enough.” I have mostly suffered sweats, fatigue, nausea, headaches and loss of appetite. What helped me was to try and figure out when and why I started (drinking) and I did by writing down my life’s events thus far.
Common sense tells me I need to apologize to certain people which I have done at this point on paper (in person eventually) including apologizing to myself for the self-abuse. I did that yesterday saving grace was the power went out for hours so I grabbed pen and paper and wrote then cried for along time… something I never do. Today I feel lighter and brighter and when four o’clock this afternoon (my own personal time to start drinking) came around I was happily meditating.
(Thank goodness I had been practicing that for a couple of months already). If you don’t know how, use YouTube. They have a range of meditations including guided ones. Well it’s one day at a time (moreover hour by hour), but I know why I started drinking and I’ve forgiven myself for that so now I can stop numbing it out. Actually that’s incorrect. The numbing out became secondary to the craving for the alcohol itself.
I wish all the readers who have posted here every success in their new journey of sobriety… Thank you for sharing.
It’s been three weeks since my last drink (New Years Eve). I just woke up on the first and said NO MORE. There was no reason other then I was drinking a pint of rum everyday for 30 years and I didn’t want to anymore! As far as all of the problems I expected to have, all that I am suffering from is feeling tired a lot of the time!
Hopefully as time progresses I will be able to get more sleep and wake to feel refreshed instead of like a book was just dropped on my head! I am retired so I have a lot of time on my hands, trying to exercise a little more and working in the yard, gardening or cooking more! I am waiting for the first 30 days and then I am going to jump for joy! Right now I am asking God for daily help and so far I have had NO cravings or any interest in drinking!
I was involved with AA many many years ago and did NOT like it! I just didn’t fit in at THAT time. I am thinking of giving it another try. I was wondering if anyone out there that reads this has any of the same things happen to them that has happened to me! I know I am going to continue on this sober journey! I want this for me! I would love to live to a hundred (59) now! Wishing all of you sober good times!
I have been a heavy drinker for 10 years off and on… heavy consistently for two years. I stopped once for a week 6 months ago and didn’t have bad withdrawal symptoms… then started again. I began tapering 3 days ago and the tapering feels like it is what makes me feel sick… I had one day of no alcohol (2 days ago) and felt like I had a bad case of the flu.
I then started reading this chain and drank 3 shooters yesterday and 2 shooters today…no flu, but today I feel nauseated from the 2 shooters. Should I just go cold turkey starting tomorrow, or taper to 1 shooter? I am lightheaded and have insomnia, but no joint aches or flu-skin feelings. Thanks – and best wishes to all of us working on this!
I have quit drinking a few times and it’s never pleasant to say the least. I suppose I should start by saying I am a highly functioning serious alcoholic. The equivalent of twenty beers was a very normal day; not a heavy one. Heavy days were thirty-forty+. My friends would always ask if I even got drunk (I have a very calm demeanor). I would always start the day with four-five beers before I did anything.
I would take a mixed drink with me to run errands afterwards, I would take a strong vodka Gatorade with me to work, hit the bar afterwards, and go back to my place with friends to really get going afterwards. It was all bad and very taxing on my body, but I kept it going for about ten years; with three breaks during that time period.
The only time I have stopped is when responsibilities have faltered and I have done so cold turkey each time. So, there’s my addiction level. Now, for my advice for anyone who is about to attempt to quit: First off, if you aren’t ready to quit than don’t bother. No amount of social support, time off, rehab clinics, medication, spirituality, plan, regret, etc. will work if you are not ready.
If you really are heavily thinking about quitting and you’re serious, get prepared. Read every website on withdrawal, such as this one, that you can get your hands on. Memorize and understand every single withdrawal symptom so you can be mentally ready when they hit so you don’t freak out; believe me it only makes it worse. It’s hard not to panic when your heart is beating out of your chest and seconds feel like hours, but it always subsides.
One thing that always helped me calm down was thinking about exactly why I was doing it and knowing 100% that it would go away. Do not advertise that you are quitting. Don’t put that garbage up on social media, you’re only inviting attention that you won’t want during the process. If you feel the need to tell anyone, pick one or two people and leave it at that. Most people only have two days off, some only one.
My process works with two days off. I go to work the first day because that is when symptoms are the most mild. Once I’m off I go home, put my phone on silent, surround myself with water and just lie down. Let the fatigue grab you and let your body rest. Drink small amounts every time you’re thirsty because you will be incredibly thirsty all the time.
It won’t even feel like you’ve drank anything but that’s normal in my case. You will have crazy dreams, headaches, and you’ll constantly wake up covered in sweat. Once again, it’s all normal. Exercise self talk during these periods. Reaffirm to yourself that this is how this process works, you aren’t dying, and remember why you’re doing it again.
If you’re getting depressed, get up and move around a bit. Fatigue will hit you so fast you’ll be able to lie back down and pass out quickly. Remember that while you’re held up in your cave, SHOWER! Showers will never, ever feel so good and you should never ignore cleanliness for any reason; ever. One thing I always do when I start to get anxious is clean. It’s not a strenuous activity, you are making a positive improvement to your living space, and you can go to the extremes with it if you’d like.
Just remember not to start anything too major because if you stop halfway through, there is a big chance you could become demoralized looking at it later and that is something you don’t need. I have said many a times to myself, “I feel horrible, but at least I have this” while looking at my clean apartment. It’s a way of controlling a situation that you feel powerless in. Don’t be afraid of the confusion or the crazy vivid dreams that do not make sense.
None of your dreams will make any sense for a while. This is not the term for it, but I call it ‘Memory reorganization’. I like to believe that you have spent so many nights drinking yourself to sleep that you have not processed things correctly, now memories spanning months-to-years are coming back crashing together now that they are uninhibited by alcohol and you’re finally consistently entering R.E.M. That’s my two cents at least.
They get better after about a week. Just try to shrug them off when you wake up and cope with the headache that is already there. This might sound strange, but monitor your urine. I remember the first time I went on the wagon I had drank well over a gallon of water and I managed to make about a cup of very dark urine. I thought, “Damn, how dehydrated am I?! This is what I’ve done to myself?!”
It gave me extra motivation to keep going. Once your urine is consistently normal you should notice that your headaches go away. The biggest sign to me that things were back to normal is when I could wake up after sleeping for at least six hours and my urine wasn’t dark at all. Also you’ll notice the color coming back to your face. Lastly, please know the difference between tremors and delirium tremors.
Everyone gets tremors but very, very few people get delirium tremors. I have had DT’s and I should have called someone when I started to hallucinate but I did not. I survived but that was such a very, very foolish decision. If you have them, do not panic but call someone immediately. My stubbornness could have left me seriously hurt. I apologize if this seems unorganized because it’s more of a on the fly rant and not a well structured post.
Thank you to anyone reading this and I hope that any of this helps just one person. Stay strong and remember that everything passes. Once it does, you will have so much more energy, focus, and you will have more confidence in yourself after enduring such a trial.
Meechell. Awesome advice… thanks.
I agree with you on sleeping. When sleeping your body should go through several stages of sleep. When you drink yourself to sleep, you only go through one stage.
Merch, thank you. Great advice and delivery, I feel galvanized after reading your post. I’m 5 days in, been watching myself, itching/sleeplessness all of that. Worried about the urine, good to know it improves. Biggest thing is been aware of my drinking self that tries to trick me into going and getting a bottle of vodka! Am on to that bastard now and am prepared for the tricks. See you and thanks.
Great thoughts and comments. Some advice from a life-long alcoholic: tapering doesn’t work, it just makes your body crave alcohol. If you want to quit, go see your doctor and be painfully honest about your addiction. He/she can put you on a five day script of benzos that will taper you off. You have to get the alcohol out of your body.
Another great option is Gabapentin. It takes the edge off your withdrawal symptoms, including seizures. It is also not addictive. If any of you have doctors that have you on benzos long-term, they don’t know what they’re doing. Benzo addiction/withdrawal is worse than alcohol, especially if you’re doing the two together. Good luck!
Can’t stress enough that nutrition and supplementation can be a big help. Try green tea or capsules. Try GABA supplements, L- Theanine, etc. Have helped me tremendously. It is important to know the biochemical reasons behind withdrawal symptoms and try and address them with natural substances first. All of the forgoing depends on, and is subject to what your MD, your nutritionist, or your naturopath advises. Don’t be a passive victim – attack past destructive behaviors with present and future health supporting behaviors. Autosuggestion can also help. Try a “multimedia” approach. Good luck to all!
Hi, thank you so much for posting this it has helped me a lot. However I am still very worried about my withdrawal symptoms. I’m 39 years old and have abused alcohol on and off for the past 19 years. Over the past 7 years I have drank between 1-1.5 bottles of wine every night. At the time I didn’t think I had a problem, it literally became a habit to open a bottle after I got home from work to help me wind down after a stressful day.
I think underneath it all I knew I had a problem but couldn’t quite face it. I decided to stop drinking 15 days ago but feel like absolute crap! My short term memory is dreadful which is quite frankly scaring me as I can’t remember half the things I need to do anymore. My job is quite stressful and I need to be on the ball but I’m definitely under performing.
Insomnia is ridiculous then when I do sleep I’m having awful nightmares, even though I’m tired most of the time. I’m dizzy and generally feel spaced out 75% of the time, my vision is also mildly like double vision @ times. I’m irritable and cry almost every day for the smallest of things. I’m snappy with my husband who doesn’t understand I’m withdrawing from alcohol as I managed to convince him that of course it’s ‘normal’ to drink a bottle + of wine every night…
Of course I don’t have a problem darling! I feel anxious but can’t understand why as I’m usually pretty confident which is slowly slipping away from me. The nausea comes and goes but my appetite has remained the same. It’s the confusion, short term memory issues, feeling spaced out and dizzy parts that I’m worried about the most. Keep thinking I may have a brain tumor or early onset dementia.
Does anyone else have the symptoms? Does anyone know how much longer they will last? Really need some advice before I lose my job and husband. I have been to my GP who diagnosed me with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo which I’m pretty sure I don’t have. Out of my mind with worry
They told me I had BPPV, too, about a month ago when the ‘dizzies’ began. I had no idea I was having a symptom of alcohol withdrawal. It’s been 17 days without a drop for me, and though the symptoms are awful, I do see a light at the end of the tunnel… How long they last is different for everyone, there’s no cookie-cutter detox for all…
The itching, rash and headaches/brain fog have been the worst for me… Also, not sleeping… Just keep forging forward… NOT drinking, though uncomfortable, will ultimately be much better than going back to being a slave to the alcohol. Good luck!
Zoe, I completely understand what you are saying…I too have drank too long and been in denial…all my friends drink too…lots of wine, dinner parties and cocktails at home every night. I thought I would quit drinking in an attempt to lose some weight and started experiencing high anxiety, some weird vision issues (I went and got my eyes checked!) and fatigue the first week.
I found this site while searching for connections for anxiety and lactate/lactic acid build up thinking that my recent foray into swimming was somehow causing my panic/anxiety issues. Wow… had no clue that what I thought was a tolerable level of drinking (I didn’t drink to get drunk) could have such withdrawal symptoms… I actually thought I could quit drinking for a few months to lose weight and then occasionally enjoy a glass of wine or cocktails again in moderation.
The thought of never drinking again does give me some anxiety but so does getting old, dying or change of any kind. I too have been experiencing the case of the stupids… spacing out… needing people to repeat things to me and I’m at the beginning of week 4. I guess I need to rethink drinking again. I’m getting older and clearly my body isn’t going to tolerate that level of drinking forever anyway.
On a good note I’ve lost weight and am on track to reach my goal and I’m happy I found this site because it sure opened my eyes up. I really had no clue I was in withdrawal.
I’d be interested to know how you got on. I’m suffering similar symptoms at the moment. Constant dizziness, swimming vision, lack of concentration and my coordination feels slightly off. Very disconcerting, but I’m sure it will pass in time. Six days in I had my first (half) decent night sleep last night so hoping I’m over the worst.
Thanks for that article. I started drinking when I was around 21 years old. Was fun at first, just started out as plain old partying. I wasn’t unhappy either. I was with a big who I was deeply in love with and boy did he take good care of me. He bought me all my clothes, food, including my booze for a good while. He had no idea what he was in for.
I drank for those two years straight until he saw dishes piled up to the ceiling after coming home from working on probably 10 cars all greasy. Haha. He couldn’t even wash his hands off! Needless to say he had enough and broke up with me. I had to go through our apartment and find all the jack Daniels 5th bottles I had been hiding around the house.
I continued to drink on for four more years. The codependency and “love” I had for this man was too strong. I numbed myself. I drank either a half pint or a pint of jack Daniels a night just to get through my days. Make a long story short, I have a new man now that motivated and helped me to stop drinking. I was 138 pounds the last time I weighed myself drinking. I now weigh 104 pounds. I know I am malnourished, most definitely.
I have been sober now for 2 years and 8 months and I don’t know how to say I feel about it. My mind is not happy. I deal with severe depression, and anxiety/panic attacks. Feeling of doom. Not to mention I had to come back to live at my fathers who is a horrible alcoholic and doesn’t support or help my recovery in any way. He is very sick himself but I have no where else to go.
My boyfriend and I are stuck until we can financially get out of here. I have never been a “suicidal” person, so thinking about it for the firsts time scared the sh*t out of me. This is a definite process. I would like to go to aa meetings, but I don’t have much support around that understands how serious this disease is. Im hoping things get much better soon.
Hi! It’s awful when there’s a lot of alcoholism in the family and they are not supportive of us stopping. I have that. I think it makes them feel threatened. I hope you manage to find an AA meeting and go. I haven’t gone to any (although did go to Al-Anon years ago when my Dad was alive; he died 7 years ago of liver failure) but I think they can be helpful and provide support. I am on Day 3 and doing well – very very tired but otherwise I’d say my dominant emotion is relief! Wishing us all well!
I used to suffer from extreme eczema when I was young, and then it came back in my Uni days when we all ran amuck: SEX AND DRUGS AND ROCK’N ROLL. The itchy agony of eczema all over my body was horrendous. The reason I mentioned the eczema horror, is because the itchiness I am experiencing now much worse than eczema itch, and I didn’t think that I would opt for bad pain rather than this stabbing twitching itchiness.
I am a chronic alcoholic, I would start drinking in the morning before I could do little things like doing some washing or having a shower. Mostly I did neither. I was absolutely debilitated. Most of my friends drink, and when they found out I had liver disease they were shocked. Because, you see, after about ten standard drinks I was ready to finally walk out my front door. no one knew that I’d already imbibed approx. ten drinks already.
And it’s like, 10am. Mind you some of my friends knew I was on a steep decline. Takes one to know one and ya can’t bullsh*t a bullsh*tter. So I’d have a couple at the pub – I don’t slur my speech and I’m good on my feet. I’ve been off alcohol now for two weeks but I get worse every day. In the past after I’ve detoxed for a few days, I bounce back and re-gain my appetite and get things done.
BUT, the sh*t has hit the fan. Two weeks ago my stomach swelled up over the space of 48 hours, and I knew I was stuffed. I have no cravings now. My liver test results were off the charts. A CT scan showed that my liver was grossly enlarged and I was suffering from ascites, and scar tissue. My Doctor told me point-blank that if I didn’t stop drinking IMMEDIATELY, I may not make it to new year.
It scared the shit out of me. I have two beautiful daughters and I don’t want to die. Alcohol is an absolutely evil poison, especially for those of us that may have a particular gene or constitution that predisposes us to alcohol addiction. Many variables I guess. It’s late but I’m not going to try and sleep because of these itchy (I need a word better than ‘itchy’). It is torture.
Hey! I am dealing with the itchy as well. I find it helpful to take a hot bath before I go to bed and wear clothes that are loose and not with itchy material. I hope this helps. Might want to try some anti-itch creams as well and massage your legs and arms to get the blood flowing. I am sure exercise would help get that blood flowing as well. Good luck! Keep it up!
Last Drink Jan 1st/2nd. Been sweating a lot every night, waking up every other hour. Jan 5th and 6th now and I am having these crazy dreams. For instance I was waiting for my friend (who I drink with a lot) and couldn’t find him, all of a sudden I’m being chased by a lunatic lady with a knife who chased me and I couldn’t find my friend. I never found him and was eventually brutally stabbed then…
Awoke covered in sweat just thinking how vivid it was. I’m not sure if the dream is relevant but I don’t go more than 2 days without a decent buzz, and haven’t had dreams like this since a long time ago so I figured it must be related. I have been drinking about 3/4 of a 750ml min to 3/4 of a handle every Fri, Sat, and Sunday afternoon. Then weekdays immediately after work at 5 pm until midnight. Forcing myself to work hungover everyday and repeat for 8 years.
I have gone 4 days 2 weeks ago and had bad sleeps, but usually I don’t pass 2-3 days without drinking before. It seems silly, but I’m proud to be at 5 days. I sure hope the sweating and nightmares don’t continue for much longer. The dreams are vivid and very detailed, and the sweats are not fun. I am moody and snappy with everything and everyone and I’m usually carefree with everyone.
I know I am being a jerk almost right after ending the conversation, sometimes halfway through. I wish I had a sleep aid or a benzo as suggested but I don’t have a doctor so I really don’t know what to do. as it is now 4:34 in the morning and I can no longer sleep at night and my days feel like a disaster. I really want to fight this.
You may want to try Valerian capsules, or capsules that have that and passiflora and or other sleep inducing herbs. Lavender capsules might also help. Camomile tea might also help.
I have been drinking wine for many years. For the past year I have been drinking a bottle, sometimes more per day. I’m done. I want my life back. Today is my second day. Last night I didn’t sleep well and had nightmares. I just came across this site and read about the fact that you should taper of first before going cold turkey so that is what I will do. I really want to do this but the correct way. Has anyone started cold turkey and then decide to taper off instead? How did that work for you? I’m in my sixties so I need to be pretty careful…
Reading some of these comments – gives me hope. At 47, I’ve been drinking for at least the last 15 years. What started off as a bottle of wine between us on weekend nights, became a bottle each, then extended out to every night. I’ve supplemented that with Whisky, and really anything else that’s in the house. I’ve always found an excuse to drink – have a good day at work – take a drink to celebrate, rubbish day at work – and a drink to cheer us up.
I’m now overweight, have little energy, and couldn’t do much at the weekends as there was the fear that any plans may delay, or prevent the start of my drinking. From bottles of wine, to boxes, so that I could hide the amount I’m consuming – of course, mainly from myself. I experience bad sleep – I usually wake at about 4 am, my heart beating out of my chest, sweat covering my body, and a banging headache.
In the day, the pain in my right side I try to ignore – but suspect it’s connected to my liver complaining about the constant abuse. So – I’ve now been sober for 5 days… I’m irritable, moody, and have a rage in me that keeps bursting out at anyone. I really hope that I can make it through this time and stay dry, and like I said – reading these comments really gives me hope.
Just finishing day 2. So glad I found this article! I tried tapering off and that would work OK, but only for a few days. There’s only hard liquor in the house and I can’t drink it. If there was beer here, I would probably drink. Problem don’t solved, just don’t buy it! I already drink tons of water and exercise daily, but I know each day is different. Just plan on taking one day at a time! Best wishes to all of you!
I’m 29 and in the military. I’m still single with no kids. The amount of free time I have and the high stress of work are easy reasons for me to drink. I am on my first day of being sober as I write this. All the symptoms in the above article are true. Though I have not had any seizures, I’ve had/have everything else. It really sucks. Thing is I don’t even want another drink because I feel so sh*tty.
But I know as soon as I feel better the craving will return. I don’t want to do this anymore. I am frightened if I continue it will affect my job. Thank you everyone for sharing. I can’t wait until I get past the days / weeks part.
After many years of daily drinking (a bottle or more of wine, or several strong vodka drinks) I joined AA and have been sober for 6 weeks. Fatigue has been my worst problem. At first I thought it was related to the poor quality of my sleep, but I’m sleeping better but still exhausted! It helps to know that this is a common withdrawal symptom. I’m also spacey. Hopefully this will pass in time. So tired!
Heather, It’ll get better just give it some time. I know it’s tough, I will be at 6 months this Tuesday but for me the symptoms are about 50% as what they used to be. I really did over do it for several years though. Hang in there and you will get better. Remember everyone’s different so seek medical help if you need it. 3 weeks was the starting point for me feeling gradually better.
Hi everyone out there. This article has really helped me a great deal during my sober period…that I was almost reading it everyday. Unlike many write-ups on the internet that are quite misleading…writing that alcohol withdrawal symptoms would have subsided within 2 weeks of abstinence or thereabout…that is not true and very misleading. I will like to share my experience as well, who knows!
It might help someone going through alcohol withdrawal symptoms. I drank an average of 5 glasses of beer everyday for about 5 years plus. If I had the slightest idea what I was doing to my body, may be I would have stopped a long time ago. I finally decided to stop 5 months ago. It was really awful!! I thought I wanted to die… I was feeling unreal, I was sick internally and outwardly because I looked pale, I had panic attacks, throat spams, burning sensations from my chest to my back at times radiating to my stomach and butt, muscle pain, insomnia, dizziness, headaches, I got both cold and hot flashes in my legs and feet, I had distorted view, heart palpitations and high blood pressure.
I was anaemic….just name it! Yes, I remember serious fatigue…I hallucinated briefly. The symptoms at times was like one was about to have a heart attack! When I was going through this period, I prayed for forgiveness from God many times for abusing my body with alcohol up to this level, He forgave me and removed my guilt and gave me hope of recovering well. I depended on him to make me go through the period safely and give me a good health
So many articles on the internet too helped me recover like this particular one. I took a lot of vitamins, B1, B2, B12, B6, folic acid, B3 in large doses and I also infuse my body with raw vegetables and fruits especially raw and fresh juices such as; onion juice, ginger, garlic, carrot, beet root and top, cucumber, turmeric, vegetable salad. I also took plenty of water and coconut water to keep me hydrated. This is necessary to help your body recover quickly and for any possible damage to the organs.
I also used some medications from the doctor for the heart palpitations and high blood pressure. Because of the way I felt during the sober period, although, the cravings for alcohol came at times, I just discarded the thought! never thought twice whether to have any drink… I have vowed NEVER to drink anymore. God will continue to help me. However, try to take one day at a time during this period that can be so disturbing and scary.
You really need the support of people during the sober period to go through it successfully. Also, give your body some rest it requires at this time. I am on the fourth month, the symptoms have quite subsided, but I still get some of it at times but not as strong as before. Remember, the withdrawal symptoms come in roller clusters. Don’t expect your body to adjust within a few days after depressing it with alcohol for years. So don’t be discouraged as you go through the sober period. If your case is serous, please do not hesitate to see a doctor.
Last advice, after going through this, DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL, IT KILLS FASTER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. God bless you all.
Bossy, My situation mirrors yours almost exactly (6 drinks a night for 5 years). Your post resonated with me and will help me to continue to move forward. I am at 3 months without a drink and really had no symptoms other than restless leg syndrome until 2 days ago when the anxiety, depression, weakness, and chills came back with a vengeance.
It was really quite disturbing to feel that bad almost overnight after feeling pretty good for a couple months. I have visited this sight before and came back again to confirm that withdrawal symptoms take much longer to go away than so called experts will tell you. I too have prayed for forgiveness for damaging my body and mind the way I did and will continue to do so along with exercise which, when not overdone, seems to significantly help.
I need someone’s reassurance that this eventually goes away. I believe I’m on day 3 and I’m scared it’s never going to go away and I’m worried I’ve gone crazy from drinking. I’ve always gone out drinking but somewhere along the way I started drinking by myself and I knew it was getting out of hand. This week I definitely messed up again and now I’m shaking, I can’t see correctly and my heart is pounding. I’m unsure if I should try tapering off or stopping, anyone have an opinion on that?
I’m new here and yes I have the same problems… I’ll write more just wasn’t sure if anyone might see this.
Your situation resonates with me greatly. I too have been drinking quite heavily and regularly since I was a teen and am almost 40 now. When I was just out of college I fell into a depression but did not seek treatment. A few years later, it happened again and I reached out. Started AD’s but, like many do, stopped once I felt better.
I played this game drinking the whole time, until I got married 13 years ago and decided my wife deserved the best I could give her so I stayed on them. I even stopped drinking for a year. All was good. Naturally, I started dabbling with the booze again. Fast forward 11 years. Still married, work is good, making money, drinking two to three nights a week but in excess (8-12 beers). I decided to try to go off my meds and relapsed hard. Very scary, stopped drinking for several months until I got well, then you guessed it, started up again.
So here I am now almost three years later. Honestly, my drinking has ramped up but I never really thought about it. A week ago today I woke up after a hard night out extremely foggy and anxious. Those old feelings were coming back and I am shit scared. I have not fallen into a depressive episode so long as I’ve been faithful with my AD’s. So this leaves me wondering, did the meds stop working or did the booze finally catch up to me? Either way, I am off it for one week now.
I am suffering low mood, anxiety, fogginess and poor sleep. It’s hard to tell if this is all alcohol withdrawal related or if my funky brain is acting up again. I really want to stay away from alcohol this time for good. My health has deteriorated quite a.bit these last few years and I have my want to find myself with chronic illness. Anyway, thanks for posting and listening. Any advice or.suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Been sober five days, and begin 2month outpatient program tomorrow. The first 2-3 days my withdrawal symptoms were pretty bad. I have been drinking anywhere from 2-4 bottles of wine a day or the equivalent for the last two years, but drinking heavily on other boozes for well over a decade daily… Plenty of fluids (3L of water plus tea, soups etc.), and eating good food, as well as vitamins has helped tremendously.
Today I feel night and day. I know it is just the beginning but it sure is encouraging. At this moment I cannot imagine going back. I have found tea with cayenne, turmeric and lemon has helped with cravings A LOT. A good support system, and distractions are clutch. I can’t wait for tomorrow and the next day and the next etc. Sleeping still sucks, but I try not to fight it. Being tired the next day beats the hell out of shaking, sweating, nausea, etc.
I drank a lot every day for over 20 yrs. 8+ beers every day. In the past 2 yrs added Bourbon and would have an occasional shot… Some nights a lot of shots. 5 days ago I woke up and decided I was going to go 30 days without. In 5 days I have had no cravings.
I have a half case of beer in my fridge. I’ve been to 3 bars with friends and had absolutely zero cravings. The only struggle I am feeling right now is not being able to go to sleep until very late. I have always been very athletic and exercise regularly. I also eat fairly clean for the most part.
Can someone please help is this all normal or am I going crazy!! I’ve drank really heavy and sometimes just heavy for about 20 years maybe four times a week and obviously more at parties!!! I kind of had a health scare luckily no real damage to liver so I just decided to quit. I had no idea on how to quit so just went cold turkey didn’t feel that bad at first, but it’s day 25 and I don’t feel normal. I’ve had insomnia and my appetite is still weird I haven’t had cravings I just don’t feel like my normal self am I losing it or is this normal!! Thanks to whoever is listing out there.