Day 2 of the rest of my life.
For the last 10 years I have been abusing my body with alcohol. I have tried stopping in a few occasions but I’ve only gone like a few months at a time. As years have gone by, I’ve seen my life destroyed by alcohol, every aspect of my life is falling apart and I sat there and allowed it. My children my partner and my friends and parents are all being affected by my choices and I must change. Last month after a lengthy battle with alcohol my best friend passed away, in his bed alone at 38 years old. That sent me on a complete downward spiral where I was drinking a lot more and arguing with everyone. I felt like I have no fight left in me and I would probably go the same way. Despite friends and family trying to encourage and support me, I just couldn’t find the strength to fight. On Thursday I got into a big alcohol fuelled argument with my partner and said some very mean things that I know I didn’t mean. But when you put something out, you can’t take it back. This for me felt like enough. I have been scared to go cold turkey because I know how hard and painful it is, but the time is now. I’m on my second day of no weed or alcohol and I’ll tell you last night was absolutely hell. However I am extremely proud of myself for making this decision and I know this journey is going to be hard, but I also know it’ll be worth it. With regards to cold turkey, I am really going through it, are there any tips or meds that can help the withdrawal symptoms? Thanks
Welcome back🙏
Welcome back !!!
Thank you, feels good
Welcome back Karl. If you’re having a hard time with withdrawal symptoms I strongly suggest getting medical advice from a medical professional. I’m a nurse working in a detox but I don’t know you, or your physical and mental health, your drinking and smoking history, your current mental and physical state, your blood pressure, your heart rate, your liver status (as in has any blood work been done?), and more. So I can’t advise you much except to take good care of yourself, take it very easy, stay hydrated, don’t eat too much (in case you ate really poorly recently), and the only medicine I’d advise you to take right now is vitamin B1 (thiamin). 100 mg a day. Take care my friend. Success.
PS And of course I advise you not to go it alone, which you are already doing by coming here. Good work. Keep going.
Thank you I will get the Thiamine as well as a few other things I’ve been advised to get.
Much appreciated.
Congratulations on making this decisions. First days will be hard, but it will get easier. Take it one day at a time!
I know, I have cold turkey before. But this time just feels harder. But yes 1day at a time. Thank you
Hi,
First of all its amazing your making a decision to quit alcohol for good. The journey of recovery is something truly special and you and your family will be blessed with the gifts that recovery gives.
I would avoid however going full cold turkey when it comes to alcohol. Depending on how much you have been drinking up until now, your body goes into severe withdrawels and the biggest risk is seizures. Normally, if you are planning to stop its recommended to do this in a safe manner. Here in Ireland we are usually pescribed Librium (which is a benzo) which stops the seizures and palpations. Im not sure how they reccomend doing this in the states but i know for sure that you really shouldnt just stop without some kind of medical intervention.
I really wish you well, my prayers are with you.
proud of you bro 
you got this 
Electrolytes and water .you got this!!
Just got some, thank you
Thank you sister, I definitely feel the same 
Thanks Matt, In the past when I’ve gone cold turkey I sought advice and they gave me Thiamine and Vit B compound and it helped then. I have all those things they gave me then and more. I do feel like shit but I’m not getting the palpitations or tremors so I feel these symptoms will soon go away.
I’m on day 1 of cold turkey and the withdrawals are terrible. I was drinking daily, a minimum of 2 bottles of wine. We recently had a friend pass away from liver failure at the age of 40. I don’t want that to be me so here we go. I did seek medical help and have meds to help with the withdrawals and cravings. Day 1 of the rest of my life.
Your going to need fo immerse yourself in this deal and ride out the rough waters and you’ll find peace… try to eat, sleep and drink plenty of water, first few days can be tough but definitely doable.
Can I give you a little something to keep in your back pocket, “This too shall pass” pull it out and use it when needed it will pass, in a few minutes, a few hours or however long but it will pass. Keep it safe, use when needed and when you’re done with it give it to someone else.
It might not feel like it, but you are off to a great start!
Hey Karen, well done on making this decision.
I was really struggling with cold turkey but I am now 9 days in and it was the best decision i have ever made. The first few days I couldn’t eat I just drank tea and water and tried sleeping most of the day. I’m not sure if you are in a position where you can isolate but that’s pretty much how I got to day 5 and after that I was able to function a bit better. The main focus for me was concentrating on my breathing because there were times I thought I might have a anxiety attack or seizure so I just kept my heart rate low by breathing exercises. Also the hot water bottle kept me going. I never took any meds other than thiamine but if the ones you have are helping them keep it up. I’m not sure if you are having cravings but for me, I like you lost a dear friend last month due to alcohol so I have a genuine hatred towards the stuff so I could never really think about drinking it. I was in a safe environment so nothing really triggered me but if you do get triggered just remember that shit killed your friend and it’s now trying to kill you. If I could eradicate it from the world I would but I can only take it out of my world. You are in the right place to start your new life and trust me by the end of next week you will feel like a different person. Stay strong 
Thank you. Congrats on making it to day 9. I have been laying in bed all day drinking water, Gatorade and broth. It’s good to hear that it will get better. Just trying to take it one day at a time. I don’t really crave alcohol but generally when I felt this way, I would drink to take the symptoms away. Luckily I work from home and my boss is a good friend who has gone through this process too. She’s been a great support and is very understanding. I appreciate how encouraging and supportive everyone is on here.