provenzer0
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I am an alcoholic. I can't sleep without a pint of bourbon in my system. I have been for years. Now it is affecting my health. Never hurt my career or family so I never gave it much thought. But tonight, I am not drinking.
Update: 12/2/16. It has been 4.5 days. I am still dry and feeling good. I honestly couldn't have done it without the words from this site. Would have never expected it. Odd that I am afraid to let you strangers down. Going into the weekend will be my biggest battle.
throwrug
Good start rich!
pudf
You're an alcoholic that has quit drinking. WTG!
ayeseaturtles
Hi, Rich!
CapitanSuerte
Yeah man check into a facility. Alcohol withdrawals can kill you. Literally. Source: I'm a doctor.
MyDogJake
Hi Rich
ThisIsWhyIimgur
Get yourself to AA even if you think you dont need it. It cant hurt
SeanBlader
Thanks for your post Rich. My dad died when I was 12 due to alcohol, so good luck on starting your journey to get better.
L1ota
Good luck man!
SergeantTerryJeffords
Hi rich
LeGiant
Dad?
provenzer0
Yes, son.
zegerman5682
Hello Rich
Here4this
Hi Rich!
angelsichor
So hey, look, you can do it tonight. Do it tomorrow. Day by day
iAmAndreeuhh
Hi, rich! I'm a recovering alcoholic! We're all here to support you! Meetings help a lot. It's tough to get sober on your own. You got this!
Xolah
@OP Hey Rich, thanks for coming. It's good to hear from you.
SunBroforLife
Bro, be super careful with that. There are some serious side effects of cutting out liquor with such a dependency. Watch out for seizures1/2
SunBroforLife
And make sure your family knows what you are trying to do. You can do this. 2/2
Whatwhatsomethingbutt
Absolutely this. Alcohol dependency can cause serious side effects when you cut it out. Things you can't white knuckle. Find a professional.
GratuitousMastication
True, can be more dangerous than heroin withdrawals
DuckMaster9000withTurboCharge
AA Meeting
TheTastiestTampon
When your hands are shaking, and that awful flop sweat starts, that's when you need help. That's when you need your family. Good luck.
MyPatronusIsVernonDursley
Hi Rich
HitlersForeskin
If you truly are an alcoholic, will power alone will not be enough! But there is a solution! It is a bumpy yet very rewarding road
welikedancingandwelookdivine
Hi Rich, one day at a time bud.
Rikie
Great idea but dangerous way to do it. You will need a benzo taper out you could die from seizures. Go to a doctor now!
whatdoesthisthingdoanyways
If you drink that much. I don't recommend cold turkey. My ex roommate did that. He had seizures because of it. Step it down drastically
nevercomebackairlines
what made you start it? what maybe makes you stop it?
provenzer0
Mother dying then daughter getting diagnosed with a medical condition. Spiraled from there. So many factors. Thanks for asking
nevercomebackairlines
wish you the best. stay strong for those who rely on you.
BenedictAtwood
@op, half of imgur are alcoholics. Just express it in dank memes and edgy comments. Stay strong though. Pour the alcohol you have away.
provenzer0
I did ceremoniously pour out 1/2 a bottle of bourbon and inhaled the fumes last night.
BenedictAtwood
Nothing wrong with that. Shits going to get pretty undignified, pretty soon.
doodlemyster
If I may ask, how is it affecting your health?
provenzer0
Chronic gastritis. Gave me chest pain, Diarrhea constantly. Couldn't eat without pain in my upper stomach. Been on stomach medication awhile
doodlemyster
Damn dude. I'm 36 and dealing with exotic drug addiction. That's awesome of you to take an offensive against your problem. I wish you best
provenzer0
The Meds helped hide the problem. The last round of chest pain from upper stomach inflammation scared me. I am 40 and out of shape.
provenzer0
Don't want to have heart attack and leave my kids just yet. Thanks for asking.
gryffmp
Medical professional here. Quitting cold turkey is a terrible idea, especially if you're a heavy drinker. Reducing consumption is your buddy
SoooooOriginal
Have a way to get some alcohol if you get withdrawal. Google "tapering" - it's how I stopped drinking, over about half a week.
SlowThunder
Seriously bro. Don't quit cold. Unending seizures are the result
CapitanSuerte
Not to mention it can fucking kill you.
gryffmp
However, if you want to quit cold turkey, check into a detox program. You could have seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, profound electrolyte
gryffmp
inadequacies, and auditory/visual hallucinations. At the hospital, you'll get a banana bag (IV fluids with electrolytes and minerals to
gryffmp
prevent Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome). Plus, you'll get sweet, sweet Ativan (benzodiazepine) to take the edge of. In profoundly bad cases,
gryffmp
you'll get intubated and placed on a propofol drip and an Ativan drip to help you 'sleep' it off (decreased stimulation is a good thing).
Whatwhatsomethingbutt
I hope this gets higher. Too many people think it's no big deal or they can handle the shakes. It can be way worse than that.
Dinkleboop
Hi Rich. Best of luck. It will not be easy at all, and it'll hurt. You'll itch, shake, and before long your body will start holding onto 1/?
1010001010101
Dinkleboop
all the fluid it can get- until now all the calories you've been having have been liquid. Remember to drink plenty of water. If you 2/?
Dinkleboop
relapse, remember that it's not game over from there, just keep on trying. It's going to suck, but knowing that means you are better 3/4
Dinkleboop
prepared for the battle you've got coming your way. Good luck, and congratulations on deciding to get your life back on track. 4/4
pronpronpronohmy
This is excellent advice. Good luck OP.
provenzer0
Thanks for the comments of support. I feel I can do this one day at a time. Would have never expected support using this site. I got this.
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EagleFace5
Good on you @OP, truly.But also please consult your doctor,because quiting alcohol cold turkey can actually really hurt you too. U got this!
Mothergooch
Dude, get yourself a physical calendar. Mark off every night that you don't drink. Omissions will be glaring. It'll help, trust me.
MyDadSaidICouldSellThePoopTube
You don't have to do this alone...
ashleypetiva
Go to meetings. 90 meetings in 90 days. Get a sponsor. Work the steps. Get a phone list. I'll have 2 years clean on the 18.
ThatJerkYouKnow
Hey man, I'm 9 days in, and feel a ton better! I also like to put the money I'm saving in a little box to look at. Gonna be a fun Xmas!
CloakedFigure
@op you do, bro! Hang in there. It's gonna be a shit ride but the rewards are bountiful
ashleypetiva
I'm here if u need someone to talk to.
RowdyDog0816
I'm in my second month of sobriety. I had 6 years and relapsed. It's possible and you can do it. Here for you
zildjianvibes
God I need to cut down on the booze. Wake up call right here.
SkittlesandTwigs
Good for you! I believe in you! :)
furiouslumberjack
If you drink that much, cold turkey can actually kill you. Be safe or go check in somewhere. Otherwise weaning is better.
Salsaun528
You WILL get DT's and so sick you could die due to years at it The best way to quit is under medical observation and a good follow up of AA.
Salsaun528
You can beat it but your life will halt for a bit and then you'll slowly come back to more normal day to day living.
occamsblazer
Don't beat yourself up if you relapse. Just keep trying and don't give up!
CardboardEmpress
Hey Rich! A day, an hour, a minute at a time. The itch, urge or barking dog *will* come and try to push you back. You don't have to go. 1/
CardboardEmpress
I stopped drinking & gambling - two difficult things to give up. If you need a chat, I'm here in the mornings UK time. :) Be strong.
UniqueIsLatinForAsshole
Hang in there. If you start to get the shakes, go to the ER. They'll get you on an IV, some sedatives + an Rx to help you weather the storm.
UsuallySpecial
Yes, totally - just took mum through this, hospital stay for ten days. Don't try it alone, chance of death is about 5% they tell me.
AllyP
This - really important. They won't judge you. Good luck
AzzyBedlam
This. Watched my own sister, 110 lbs., gallon of vodka a day habit, crack her skull open on the bathroom floor during a seizure. I'm 1/2
AzzyBedlam
So goddamn lucky the paramedics made it in time. You've got this, definitely, but be fucking careful, man. Stay safe. 2/2
provenzer0
I am around 63 hours now without a drink. Most physical symptoms show up in the first 24-72 hours. Dr. said i should be in the clear.
ThatJerkYouKnow
Yep, glad to hear! I drank soooo hard for 10 years, some how got out of it without shakes or tremors. Just a little cold sweat. Lucky fuck.