Alcohol withdrawel symptoms! Am i reaching the Danger zone?

Question

I have been a heavy alcoholic drinker for around 4 years & rarely missed a night drinking, my recent alcohol intake as reached a peak of 70-120 units per week. I decided 3 days ago to abstain & go cold turkey, it is now 70 hours since i last had a drink & all i have experienced so far is fatigue but just started to feel nauseas. Am i out of the danger zone of risk of DT's? (delerium tremens) ? Thanks

Answer 1

DT's are not that common. They usually occur after 3 or 4 days after abstinence but can occasionally occur up to a week. Alcohol withdrawal delirium (DT's) usually occurs in people who have been heavy, daily drinkers for a long period of time. Physical health problems can increase the risk. The highest risk for withdrawal seizures is in the first 48 hours. Alcohol withdrawal can also cause autonomic hyperactivity (increase heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature). This can be dangerous especially in people with cardiovascular problems. The most dramatic symptoms usually subside in a week. After drinking for so long you should really talk to your doctor about the best way to withdrawal. He/she will make a determination on the best way for you to withdrawn. This can be life-threatening so it's nothing to monkey around with. There are medications, such as benzodiazepines, that can greatly control and ease the withdrawal symptoms. It's great that you're trying to get sober. I wish you the best!

Answer 2

The symptoms usually peak twenty four to forty eight hours after a person stops drinking. You should just be cautious and remember women succumb to alchohol related diseases far quicker then men do. You should be safe now from DT's but there are also a whole set of Post Acute Withdrawal syptoms that you can be affected by. Call your local AA chapter in the telephone and see if you can get to a meeting. You don't have to live like that any longer. I sense that you are feeling defeated and the people that have already been victorious over alchoholism will be the ones to help you fight the disease as well. Best of luck.

Answer 3

As a previous heavy drinker you are not quite out of the woods just yet. Make sure you are drinking LOTS of water. A heavy drinker who suddenly decides to quit cold turkey you will experience some physical withdrawal symptoms -- which can range from the mildly annoying to severe and even life-threatening. You are still at risk at this point. The struggle to fight the withdrawal symptoms can become a dangerous battle, one that can actually become life threatening. Whatever you do, DON"T drink. It will only make things worse for you. Not to mention the guilt. Withdrawal symptoms might be as "mild" as merely getting the shakes, or the sweats -- or perhaps nausea, headache, anxiety, a rapid heart beat, and increased blood pressure. Although these symptoms are uncomfortable and irritating, they are not necessarily dangerous. But they are often accompanied by the "craving" for more alcohol, making the decision to continue abstinence much more difficult to make. However, within six to 48 hours after not drinking, hallucinations may develop. These usually are visual hallucinations but they can also involve sounds and smells. They can last for a few hours up to weeks at a time. Also within this time frame after quitting, convulsions or seizures can occur, which is the point at which alcohol withdrawal can become dangerous, if not medically treated. The symptoms may progress to delirium tremens (DT's) after three to five days without alcohol. The symptoms of DT's include profound confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, hyperactivity, and extreme cardiovascular disturbances. Once DT's begin, there is no known medical treatment to stop them. Grand mal seizures, heart attacks and stroke can occur during the DT's, all of which can be fatal. Typically, for those who are mildly dependent doses of vitamins (Thiamin) and a proper diet will prevent most of the mild withdrawal symptoms from occurring. For the severely dependent, medication can be administered, but only by a physician. One approach is to substitute Valium for alcohol and gradually reduce the dosage until the patient is drug free.

If you are a heavy drinker and want to quit, consult a trained medical professional, and be honest about your usual alcohol intake. The psychological withdrawal is enough to deal with, without also having to fight the physical symptoms.

You don't have to do it "on your own" to prove anything to anyone. Help is available, take advantage of it.

I have been where you are. It is no fun. Get some treatment before things get worse for you physically. Being a heavy drinker to suddenly quiting is couragious, but you don't have to do it all on your own. Good luck.

Answer 4

With your intake, Cold Turkey withdrawal is bound to give you some side effects--but I wouldn't start drinking again!
Keep abstinent from alcohol, but really push clear liquids on yourself, especially water. Try to get outdoors and walk just enough to break a slight sweat, as this will enhance the exit of the alcohol , as well as the by products of alcohol, from your system.
You may want to consider going to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting or two to get a perspective on what constitutes problem drinking, or at least get a couple of books on the subject.
I wish you well.
Good luck.

Answer 5

I don't know but I wish you the best of luck. I knew someone that died from seizures induced by alcohol withdrawal. Not a good way to go.

Answer 6

Congratulations on quitting! You are doing a great thing for yourself and for your body! You might want to consider seeing a physician as he/she can help you should you have any complications. There is also AA -- a great place to meet other people who can support you in your desire to stay sober.