Hi so I drink excessively usually binge for a number of days, eventually decide to stop for the first and second day the shakes, sweats, fear, guilt and everything else are unbearable but by the 3rd day as they begin to ease I start drinking again and the cycle continues. I recently just finished a 10 day binge drinking constant day and night from the minute I open my eyes. Eventually I stopped because I had no drink or money left. I experienced horrible feelings and wondered if this could be DTs, my shakes were so bad I couldn't hold a glass of water, I felt like my whole insides were rattling, I couldn't concentrate on one thought, constantly vomiting to the point where I thought I couldn't breathe, my heart was beating so fast and I felt like my chest was being crushed. I tried to sleep it off but I didn't know whether I was wakened or asleep. I could hear people talking in my house even though I live alone. I thought my aunty had came to visit but I didn't know if actually happened or not - turns out it didn't. I didn't know if I was dreaming or if it was real life. I was dreaming/imagining being trapped in my house with loads of people every time I tried to get out some one would stand in front of me to stop me getting away and laugh at me, it was a horrible terrifying feeling, I wanted to get home to my gran but all these people were telling me I was looking for attention and that I couldn't leave. I know it wasnt real but I don't know if I was awake when this was happening or dreaming. My whole body, clothes and hair was soaked in sweat. I was so scared that I had to call my gran to come and take me to her house. Once I got there things eased off but when I was trying to get to sleep that night the same thing happened I felt awake but asleep at the same time and was being bitten by dogs I was trying to wake out of this sleep but it was like I was in a sleep but conscious at the same time but couldnt wake up. I was just wondering if I was experiencing DTs or just alcohol withdrawals? Thanks to anyone who can help. I have been attending AA meetings for my drinking.
Hi Nicola,I am sorry to hear your sad story.My late Mother passed away at the age of 47! My life was turned upside down,as my late Dad was also a very heavy drinker.He expected me to do everything for him.Without the drink he was so nice,but a nasty person when drunk.He was scared of being left alone.He passed away & it was sad,but my Husband & I gave up our lives to care for him.There is help out there.After my late Dad died I would drink,till one day I had a panic attack! Thought I was going to die.I had put on weight,& a cousin spoke to me & I stopped drinking. Please get the help & more You will come through this regards Amanda
Sounds like what I went thru when I experienced DTs.
Does anyone have a tranqualizer you can take? Do you have a Dr you can talk to?
Drink fluids, eat soup..If you can't get on a tranqualizer..maybe get some Benadryl to help you sleep better.
Take b vitamins if you have them, c vitamins, folic acid...all important to a quicker recover.
Withdrawals are h*LL....and I hope you are feeling better today.
Hi Nicola,
Going on a lengthy binge and then stopping cold turkey can cause death.
Surely your sponsor can assist you wil some medical support during the inevitable withdrawal and DTs.
I suggest you print out a copy of what you wrote, frame it, and hang it on your bathroom mirror with a second copy above the commode. Read each one multiple times per day...think of your gran.. until you have convinced your head that alcohol is poison to you.
You were incredibly blessed this time, you lived.
kind regards
judith
I don't think Nicola has a sponsor, she just said she went to AA.
its very dangerous to go cold turkey as you say, but also very difficult to get medication. An AA sponsor would have no chance.
Very good reply Judith. Nicola is lucky to be alive. Robin
I had a similar experience! I've been drinking everyday for nearly 8 years I'm 25! Never really get drunk but always thought I was having a laugh as my family are big drinkers but always managed it! We had been on holiday and really hit it hard for 3 weeks! When I can back I stopped cold turkey and after 2 days had a panic attck in the shops! I thought I was going to die! No sleep tremors and hallucinations all started the days after! I was convinced my parents were in the house and I was hearing voices and intense panic! Safe to say by boyfriend of 3 years finished it two days later! I then carried on drinking heavily at my parents and decided to start fresh and moved to Aussie! Within two days of 'taking it easy' I had a seizure! So now have gone from 2.5 bottles of wine and whatever I can get my hands on to 5 beers. Night and trying to cut down! Absolutely terrified to stop completely incase I have another seizure! But don't want to go on medication unless I have to! Just scary being on the other side of the world trying to fix everything! How are you getting on now?
Hi Laura,
How long have you been on the 5 beer diet?
Thank you for the reply. I'm also 25 and have struggle with alcohol for the past 10 years. I always suffer from alcohol withdrawals when I try to stop drinking which are usually sweats and shaking. Once I was hospitalised because I had a bleed in my stomach because of drinking and whilst in hospital I was put on an IV drip and was given medication to prevent me from having seizures, I was also given diazepam regualry and thiamine. This meant that stopping drinking while I was there was easy because the Valium done the trick for me. But the last binge as discussed above was the worst withdrawals I've ever experienced and by the sounds of it I'm lucky to be alive. I've been going at AA meetings which I highly recommend. I literally lost all hope and didn't want to be alive any more, every time I drank I was getting into trouble with police or ending up in hospital. I lost my job, my flat, I crashed and wrote off my car whilst drunk. Bit by bit I was losing everything as well as my psychical and mental health deteriorating rapidly. I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. I'm now 2 weeks sober and have been going to an AA meeting everyday. For the first time in a very long time I have hope for my future. I've met new sober friends with years of soberiety who have genuine concern for me. These people help me believe that I can have what they have if I follow the 12 step programme and get a sponsor. They are living proof that AA is the solution to alcoholism and the ONLY solution. I highly recommend these meetings if you haven't yet been to any. They don't only help with stopping drinking but with every other aspect of life. They teach you how to live without alcohol, help with depression and anxiety. They are miraculous. Please if you haven't been to any given them a go. There's so much help for you there. I'm still very early in my soberiety but I am 100% certain that if I follow the programme consistently and give it everything I've got then I will continue to stay sober one day at a time. I wish you all the best of luck. If you make it to an AA meeting then let me know how it goes. Take care
Thank you for your advice. It will be very hard to forget what I put myself through after that binge and every time drink crosses my mind I try to remind myself of that experience. The thing with alcoholism is that when the obsession with alcohol begins to start again i begin to forget all the negative experiences and can only think about the initial euphoria of the first few drinks. My mind begins to make excuses as to why I should have a drink or it will convince me that I won't get into trouble, I will only drink for one night etc etc. Needless to say it never turns out that way. After trying for many years to stop on my own the same cycle conintually repeated itself. The first few days of being sober I'd experience the unbearable withdrawals, the shaking, the sweating, the racing heart and thoughts etc. On these days the withdrawals would be so bad that I would bet my life and soul that I would never touch a drink again but once those feelings started to ease that insanity would kick in and again I'd begin to convince myself with all the lies and excuses so I could pick up that drink again. Going to AA daily constantly reminds me of all the negative experiences, that I'm not alone, that without the first drink I can't get drunk and most importantly to stay sober one day at a time. I don't have a sponsor yet but hopefully within the next few weeks I will have a sponsor, joined a group and started the 12 step programme. I cannot express my gratitude in words for these meetings. Only a few weeks ago I didn't want to be alive, I was completely hopeless and desperate. After going to these meetings for the first time in years and I can feel happiness, I feel safe and that things are going to be okay. I have hope for my future, 8 slowly but surely getting more confidence, something I never had unless I was drunk. I feel like I have so many good things to come if I stay sober. I genuinely believe I am one drink away from death or from serious alcohol related health condition.... I KNOW that if I stay sober and follow the programme the opportunities are endless. I have never felt hope like this before. I have a feeling deep inside that I have a happy life ahead of me without having to depend on alcohol to get me through it.
Oh Nicola,
So very well said...Stick with AA, hooray for the 12 step program...your thought processes are sound and clear.
You can do this one hour at a time, one dau at a time.
Find an activity like running or biking, something that gets your heart rate up...when that damnable wee voice starts up, exhaust yourself with physical activity...count your steps, count your pedals...go fast...make your brain busy with counting so that your brain is simply too busy to think alcohol...
You go Nicola...and please kerp posting!
hugs
judith
Hi Laura,
How are you doing today?
Have you gone to AA yet?
Nicola and I are with you,
kind regards
judith
I've been doing it for about a week. Last night me and my mates went out and we had a few tbh so I'm starting again tomorrow back to 5 and work down! What do you think the reasonable amount is? Will I still get hallucinations and that when I stop completely? X
as long as you go out and drink with your mates, you will increase your risk of hallucinations when you stop.
Yeah I understand! We are in the middle of no where so last night was the first time in about 2 months having a laugh which we all needed to be honest! So tomorrow il be back on the 5 and work down! I can curb the crave as I can occupy myself I'm just bothered about after getting past that one! I don't like been drunk to be honest and even getting tipsy and not feeling like me! It's the aftermath like last time that bothers me! I can't let it affect work or my life! I'm scared to try and go to sleep incase I havnt drank enough for me not to have a fit like last time! I can deal with the insomnia and sweats! As long as I can function around work and people during the day! Il book an appointment tomorrow for gp! Does it have to go on your record as it will ruin my career over here x
Say I went down to 1 a night for hyperthecially say a month will it reduce the withdrawals a lot? The drink doesn't bother me anymore I don't want to be that person anymore! I just don't want to have to stop everything and be an invalid back at my parents! I hate having to go to the shop due to panic that I may have a fit x
Nicola your doing amazing! It's not good but nice to hear about these issues from people our age! I have a few mates who drink about 4 bottles of wine a day! I'm open to everyone about my concerns and it's crap! I thought I was just having a laugh without knowing the reprocussions! It's cost me 2 jobs my relationship and much more! We can all do this together x
Hi Nicola. I am not a health professional or clinically trained in any way. However, my husband is a recovering alcoholic and regularly attends AA He has had many relapses over the years, each relapse appears to be progressively worse. He also binge drinks. Unfortunately for him, if he reduces the amount too quickly he does suffer from dts and has had seizures. From the symptoms you have described, your behaviour and the resulting conditions, it would appear that you are getting withdrawal problems. You need to see your GP for an urgent referral to someone who can prescribe chlordiazpoxide or reduce your consumption by 10 percent a day. This is a reccomended safe amount. Hoping this helps x
in the USA it does not go on your record...it doesn't have to...it shows
I really like assistance from your gp
How about AA
I've heard it said several times that withdrawal from alcohol is a lot harder than stopping using heroin.
ive had a home detox with chlordiazepoxide (Librium), with CMHT and would recommend it. Going cold turkey requires a lot of willpower and determination. Talking to your GP and asking for some Librium would be my recommendation