I am going to self-detox from alcohol on in 3 days, what should I expect?
October 1, 2011 3:14 AM Subscribe
I am going to self-detox from alcohol on in 3 days, what should I expect?
I have been drinking up to 550 ml of 80 proof alcohol a night. My doctor recommended three 0.5-1 mg doses of chlonazepam daily for a week. I will be at my parents for at least a week to make sure I am OK. What else should I know?
I have been drinking up to 550 ml of 80 proof alcohol a night. My doctor recommended three 0.5-1 mg doses of chlonazepam daily for a week. I will be at my parents for at least a week to make sure I am OK. What else should I know?
Oh geez, man. I'm sorry. This could suck. Sounds like your doc is already aware of this, as clonazepam appears to be the benzodiazepine of choice for this stuff.
I'd say that you and your parents should already have a plan for what to do if your symptoms get seriously bad. Like a standing appointment at an in-patient rehab facility, or existing communication between your doctor and the emergency room. The latter might help you get immediate, appropriate, medical attention rather than just getting stuck in the drunk tank.
posted by valkyryn at 3:57 AM on October 1, 2011
I'd say that you and your parents should already have a plan for what to do if your symptoms get seriously bad. Like a standing appointment at an in-patient rehab facility, or existing communication between your doctor and the emergency room. The latter might help you get immediate, appropriate, medical attention rather than just getting stuck in the drunk tank.
posted by valkyryn at 3:57 AM on October 1, 2011
Some people feel a little shaky. Tired, weaker than usual. Fearful. Maybe sweaty and weepy. A bit jumpy, worried about what people think. Feeling everything you didn't feel when you were drinking is the main thing. After a couple of days, realizing how much you really were leaning on it, how long it takes to process feelings that were always easy to shrug off with a couple of drinks. Starting to feel like you're going to make it after a few days and the worst will be over.
Withdrawal from up to 440 ml os 80 proof alcohol daily is not likely to cause hallucinations or convulsions; otherwise the doctor would probably insist on hospitalization. Remind yourself that you decided to do this and, word to the wise, you don't ever have to do it again if you don't want to.
Good luck. There are millions of us who are wishing you well today.
posted by Anitanola at 5:48 AM on October 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
Withdrawal from up to 440 ml os 80 proof alcohol daily is not likely to cause hallucinations or convulsions; otherwise the doctor would probably insist on hospitalization. Remind yourself that you decided to do this and, word to the wise, you don't ever have to do it again if you don't want to.
Good luck. There are millions of us who are wishing you well today.
posted by Anitanola at 5:48 AM on October 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
Good luck. There are millions of us who are wishing you well today.
Yes, indeed. Don't know if this helps, but you might also do the following: "Breathe in, breathe out.... and don't take a drink in between."
Good luck!
posted by Mister Bijou at 5:55 AM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, indeed. Don't know if this helps, but you might also do the following: "Breathe in, breathe out.... and don't take a drink in between."
Good luck!
posted by Mister Bijou at 5:55 AM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: For us to be able to answer this question effectively, we need more information, such as: How long have you been drinking this quantity of alcohol and also, have you ever attempted a detox prior? If so, what adverse reaction did you experience? The answers to these questions will impact the range of withdrawal symptoms you may experience now.
Also, I would highly recommend that a family member be present with you at all times. If you are inclined to do so, you can ask them to periodically check on you and complete the CIWA assessment that we complete for inpatients who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal. It is a simple tool that really anyone can complete without training that examines outward signs/symptoms. If your score is trending up over time, you may wish to phone your PCP or decide to be transported to a local ED.
posted by Asherah at 6:34 AM on October 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
Also, I would highly recommend that a family member be present with you at all times. If you are inclined to do so, you can ask them to periodically check on you and complete the CIWA assessment that we complete for inpatients who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal. It is a simple tool that really anyone can complete without training that examines outward signs/symptoms. If your score is trending up over time, you may wish to phone your PCP or decide to be transported to a local ED.
posted by Asherah at 6:34 AM on October 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
My friend died trying to detox himself! Get to a Detox!!!
posted by jara1953 at 7:29 AM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jara1953 at 7:29 AM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Agree with jara, if you are a hardcore drinker, you could die from going cold turkey. Please see a professional about this and make sure someone is watching out for you while you are doing this.
posted by TheBones at 7:34 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by TheBones at 7:34 AM on October 1, 2011
My friend died trying to detox himself! Get to a Detox!!!
Please see a professional about this and make sure someone is watching out for you while you are doing this.
Did I miss something? When he said "my doctor recommended," was he referring to a friend with an English Lit Ph.D?
Sounds like he's seen a professional and you are doing a profound disservice by making this more worst-case and stressful than an actual qualified professional feels is warranted. Don't do this shit.
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:07 AM on October 1, 2011 [25 favorites]
Please see a professional about this and make sure someone is watching out for you while you are doing this.
Did I miss something? When he said "my doctor recommended," was he referring to a friend with an English Lit Ph.D?
Sounds like he's seen a professional and you are doing a profound disservice by making this more worst-case and stressful than an actual qualified professional feels is warranted. Don't do this shit.
posted by Mayor Curley at 8:07 AM on October 1, 2011 [25 favorites]
Back to say, a bit more than a pint a day (your 550 ml) for ten years is what I drank, although somewhat more at the end, and those were my symptoms withdrawing without any medication at all, at home with my mother to help me for a few days. Years later I cared for someone for several days who was withdrawing after 10 years of a quart or more a day with no medication (not my recommendation) and there were tremors and even hallucinations briefly which frightened me half to death but no seizures. I think you are playing it safe and you have help, medical advice and now a good tool to gauge your progress. Use the help you have and don't be unduly alarmed. You will feel unhappy for at least 48 hours and probably three days or so. By the time you've finished the meds, you'll definitely be finished with the physical withdrawal. Don't get more pills.
Find something social and physical to do every day at the time you used to start drinking, change playgrounds a bit, get a physical checkup and, if things are tough, find some kind of therapy.
You didn't ask for all of this additional advice but I want you to know, as I do, for an absolute fact that you can do this and it's not going to kill you or scare your parents to death. Do what you know is the right thing for you. And look us up if you like.
posted by Anitanola at 8:31 AM on October 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Find something social and physical to do every day at the time you used to start drinking, change playgrounds a bit, get a physical checkup and, if things are tough, find some kind of therapy.
You didn't ask for all of this additional advice but I want you to know, as I do, for an absolute fact that you can do this and it's not going to kill you or scare your parents to death. Do what you know is the right thing for you. And look us up if you like.
posted by Anitanola at 8:31 AM on October 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
My intake was considerably more so I went the full DT route with hallucinations etc., though not at all by plan-- I was simply so sick that I couldn't get out of bed to get more, and was by that time so isolated that there was nobody to help. This happened to me more than a few times, and the final time I very fortunately ended up in a treatment center instead of dead. Others have given good advice (especially the part about trusting your doctor and not needing to catastrophize), but you should be prepared for a couple of things that may happen once the physically difficult part has shifted to slightly more manageable.
You will likely be extremely irritable and lash out at whomever is nearby. Your family should know that this is part of the process. Not sure based on your level of intake, but my hands shook so hard for over two weeks that I struggled to hold a glass of water. If you continue to shake after the week is up, you may not want to return to normal activities because (for me, at least), it was quite embarrassing-- and I was surrounded by recovering alcoholics!
After the physical healing process gets well underway, your brain will likely start to attempt to get you to "use" something else to take the place of alcohol. This is called "cross-addiction" and can manifest as promiscuity, shopping, rage, gambling-- any of the process addictions, anyways. That is, if you can avoid substances, because without the tools to overcome these things, it's the natural route your brain will go to fill the gap.
Anitanola refers to "us", and while it saved my life, I'm no longer involved- I took what I needed from it and left the rest. Very grateful it was there when I needed it and that it always will be should I need a dose of sanity now and then. It's true as well that you'll need, at least at first, to change your "playgrounds, playthings, and playmates".
We're all strongly supporting you and should you just need to talk, please message me.
posted by mireille at 9:39 AM on October 1, 2011 [5 favorites]
You will likely be extremely irritable and lash out at whomever is nearby. Your family should know that this is part of the process. Not sure based on your level of intake, but my hands shook so hard for over two weeks that I struggled to hold a glass of water. If you continue to shake after the week is up, you may not want to return to normal activities because (for me, at least), it was quite embarrassing-- and I was surrounded by recovering alcoholics!
After the physical healing process gets well underway, your brain will likely start to attempt to get you to "use" something else to take the place of alcohol. This is called "cross-addiction" and can manifest as promiscuity, shopping, rage, gambling-- any of the process addictions, anyways. That is, if you can avoid substances, because without the tools to overcome these things, it's the natural route your brain will go to fill the gap.
Anitanola refers to "us", and while it saved my life, I'm no longer involved- I took what I needed from it and left the rest. Very grateful it was there when I needed it and that it always will be should I need a dose of sanity now and then. It's true as well that you'll need, at least at first, to change your "playgrounds, playthings, and playmates".
We're all strongly supporting you and should you just need to talk, please message me.
posted by mireille at 9:39 AM on October 1, 2011 [5 favorites]
That is a high enough daily consumption that you might worry about the physical effects being actually harmful, not just uncomfortable. Take the scrip from your doc and please consider a detox if you have insurance. A gradual withdrawal could work to alleviate any symptoms, such as say cutting down to 3 or 4 beers a day for a few weeks and then stopping cold turkey. Frankly, most people with an alcohol problem will not be successful with such a strategy and will end up drinking far more so I don't recommend that. Take the scrip.
The more important thing is to succeed. Find an AA meeting near your parent's home and attend every day. Take phone numbers, call them, better yet, get a temporary sponsor. Even if you have all sorts of prejudices and fears regarding AA (and you probably don't but some do) they can help you get started, especially if you are doing this on your own without rehab. They will also have a lot of experience with just what you are going through which will help you through your detox.
Best of luck to you.
posted by caddis at 10:17 AM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
The more important thing is to succeed. Find an AA meeting near your parent's home and attend every day. Take phone numbers, call them, better yet, get a temporary sponsor. Even if you have all sorts of prejudices and fears regarding AA (and you probably don't but some do) they can help you get started, especially if you are doing this on your own without rehab. They will also have a lot of experience with just what you are going through which will help you through your detox.
Best of luck to you.
posted by caddis at 10:17 AM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
That's a good benzo because it lasts longer than ativan. I would look into valium, too which also lasts a long time. Take care of yourself, and get that support system in place to deal with the emotional fallout.
posted by lollipopgomez at 1:31 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by lollipopgomez at 1:31 PM on October 1, 2011
Response by poster: For us to be able to answer this question effectively, we need more information, such as: How long have you been drinking this quantity of alcohol and also, have you ever attempted a detox prior? If so, what adverse reaction did you experience? The answers to these questions will impact the range of withdrawal symptoms you may experience now.
Also, I would highly recommend that a family member be present with you at all times. If you are inclined to do so, you can ask them to periodically check on you and complete the CIWA assessment that we complete for inpatients who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal. It is a simple tool that really anyone can complete without training that examines outward signs/symptoms. If your score is trending up over time, you may wish to phone your PCP or decide to be transported to a local ED.
~4 years of drinking that much, never tried detox before. My family members will be with me for the week, at least. 30 years ago I had a bad trip on acid, so not a fan of hallucinations. I will look into the CIWA stuff tonight.
posted by atomicmedia at 10:19 PM on October 1, 2011
Also, I would highly recommend that a family member be present with you at all times. If you are inclined to do so, you can ask them to periodically check on you and complete the CIWA assessment that we complete for inpatients who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal. It is a simple tool that really anyone can complete without training that examines outward signs/symptoms. If your score is trending up over time, you may wish to phone your PCP or decide to be transported to a local ED.
~4 years of drinking that much, never tried detox before. My family members will be with me for the week, at least. 30 years ago I had a bad trip on acid, so not a fan of hallucinations. I will look into the CIWA stuff tonight.
posted by atomicmedia at 10:19 PM on October 1, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you all for your experiences and answers. No insurance, so it's the parents, they are always supportive, so that should go ok. Getting me lots of juice and etc. They know if I DT or hallucinate they should get me to the ER right away. I'm still a bit afraid.
My intake was considerably more so I went the full DT route with hallucinations etc., though not at all by plan-- I was simply so sick that I couldn't get out of bed to get more, and was by that time so isolated that there was nobody to help.
I feel like in a few months that could be me, I feel isolated, agoraphobic for years, but whether the phobia is alcohol based or alcohol self-medicated I'm not really sure. Thanks for your contribution. I feel like a real addict and not myself, so I hope this goes well.
posted by atomicmedia at 10:37 PM on October 1, 2011
My intake was considerably more so I went the full DT route with hallucinations etc., though not at all by plan-- I was simply so sick that I couldn't get out of bed to get more, and was by that time so isolated that there was nobody to help.
I feel like in a few months that could be me, I feel isolated, agoraphobic for years, but whether the phobia is alcohol based or alcohol self-medicated I'm not really sure. Thanks for your contribution. I feel like a real addict and not myself, so I hope this goes well.
posted by atomicmedia at 10:37 PM on October 1, 2011
Response by poster: The more important thing is to succeed. Find an AA meeting near your parent's home and attend every day.
I do agree. I have been to AA meetings before, but not for me. I've been to AA meetings digitally for myself a year ago, so I partially know what's up. Honestly though, I think about half of the are not real addicts (including the person I went with IRL). But I agree it is better than no exterior support at all. Just my opinion, please don't take it personally.
posted by atomicmedia at 11:04 PM on October 1, 2011
I do agree. I have been to AA meetings before, but not for me. I've been to AA meetings digitally for myself a year ago, so I partially know what's up. Honestly though, I think about half of the are not real addicts (including the person I went with IRL). But I agree it is better than no exterior support at all. Just my opinion, please don't take it personally.
posted by atomicmedia at 11:04 PM on October 1, 2011
i was more of a 12-pack/day maintenance drinker & when i threw liquor into the mix i was a sweaty, glassy-eyed, isolated disaster. after a liquor binge, i'd have to ween myself off the hard stuff & get back to the maintenance beers.
it's been almost 30 years, but i remember i could. not. sleep. i was wound up--very nervous, but it manifested mostly as not being able to turn off my brain, i think--and no matter how tired i was, i could only catch a couple of hours sleep (at the most) per day, and the couple of hours sometimes came in brief minutes-long naps. i stayed keyed up for weeks afterward, although i did finally start sleeping again after about the first week.
that restlessness, along with an overwhelming 'ok what now?' feeling, is what got me to a.a. meetings. i absolutely replaced my drinking with meetings, and that went on for a couple years. (both times--i relapsed once for about a year.) i just got my 20th consecutive year this year, and i haven't been to a meeting in about a decade or so.
not pushing a.a., just saying what worked for me. whatever works for you--do it! you absolutely won't regret getting the monkey off your back.
best of luck.
posted by msconduct at 3:52 PM on October 2, 2011
it's been almost 30 years, but i remember i could. not. sleep. i was wound up--very nervous, but it manifested mostly as not being able to turn off my brain, i think--and no matter how tired i was, i could only catch a couple of hours sleep (at the most) per day, and the couple of hours sometimes came in brief minutes-long naps. i stayed keyed up for weeks afterward, although i did finally start sleeping again after about the first week.
that restlessness, along with an overwhelming 'ok what now?' feeling, is what got me to a.a. meetings. i absolutely replaced my drinking with meetings, and that went on for a couple years. (both times--i relapsed once for about a year.) i just got my 20th consecutive year this year, and i haven't been to a meeting in about a decade or so.
not pushing a.a., just saying what worked for me. whatever works for you--do it! you absolutely won't regret getting the monkey off your back.
best of luck.
posted by msconduct at 3:52 PM on October 2, 2011
Response by poster: Well, the first 30 hours went fine. It was strange remembering going to sleep. The drugs surely helped there. I'm sure I will go to AA. I am worried a bit about the 3rd-5th day, which I hear is when the withdrawals are worst.
Thanks for your stories and help.
posted by atomicmedia at 7:50 AM on October 4, 2011
Thanks for your stories and help.
posted by atomicmedia at 7:50 AM on October 4, 2011
Hang in there. Glad to hear you're doing well so far.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:39 AM on October 4, 2011
posted by rmd1023 at 8:39 AM on October 4, 2011
Response by poster: Beginning of day 3, scored a big 1 on the test, but when awoke at 5:45 was walking around like i was slightly tipsy - must be the drugs and the fact that it was pitch black outside while I was smoking. Not as energetic as I was yesterday so far. I guess so far so good, this is the longest I've been without alcohol in over 10 years.
posted by atomicmedia at 7:07 AM on October 5, 2011
posted by atomicmedia at 7:07 AM on October 5, 2011
Response by poster: Day 4, nothing much to say but sleeping a lot. zzz
posted by atomicmedia at 12:43 PM on October 6, 2011
posted by atomicmedia at 12:43 PM on October 6, 2011
Response by poster: End of Day 5 - this has got to be the most boring detox ever. I really expected it to be more traumatizing. Casualties: I made my mother cry/father angry a few times regarding my concern for their blood pressure while watching Fox News. We cut a deal that they wouldn't watch it while I was here as long as I wouldn't watch The Daily Show. :) I spent half the day cleaning my poor neglected 986, I hadn't cleansed it in over a year, I got a bit emotional about that and some music I was listening to while cleaning it. I feel thinner (must be the 1500 calories I am not drinking everyday), and some G/I problems I have been having the past year seem to be getting better. I've been out on my own a few times and never even thought about getting a drink - this feels too good.
My anxiety issues seem to have faded away, probably from the drugs (but never had to take more than the minimum dose), or possibly, because I only drank after 5 pm, I was having mini withdrawals everyday. I guess I'll find out when I lower the dose on those starting on Day 7 after i talk to the doc.
posted by atomicmedia at 12:06 AM on October 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
My anxiety issues seem to have faded away, probably from the drugs (but never had to take more than the minimum dose), or possibly, because I only drank after 5 pm, I was having mini withdrawals everyday. I guess I'll find out when I lower the dose on those starting on Day 7 after i talk to the doc.
posted by atomicmedia at 12:06 AM on October 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rmd1023 at 3:52 AM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]