I quit drinking alcohol on my own, is that safe?

Question

I was drinking almost everyday vodka or wine. One night I met a friend for drinks, i had nothing to eat all day.. i had alot of vodka, i have no memory of leaving and worst thing is i think i took the nyc subway home and have no memory of being on it... all i know is i woke up in my bed very sick and my roomate told me i looked wasted when i came in.. My cell phone and Ipod both were gone, have no idea if they were stolen. had to check to see if maybe i was sexually assaulted- i wasnt. I still have no memory of the night. The friend i was with says i was fine when i left.
This scared the crap out of me and i quit drinking- cold turkey.. Its been 6 months.. I have no desire to drink at all, the thought of it makes me sick...
But should i go to counseling orAA?

The whole thing still freaks me out and im so embarrased of it if neighbours saw me...

Answer 1

Honestly...it's NOT safe. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can show up long after you've stopped drinking. It has something to do with a hormone called Seratonin in our brain, which is responsible for keeping us in a good mood. When we drink- Seratonin levels go high and make us feel good. When these levels drop- we feel horrible. I VERY STRONGLY suggest that you go to your doctor and speak about it.

You are truly lucky you survived that drinking bout with the loss of just a cellphone and Ipod and without being sexually assaulted. Withdrawal symptoms from such heavy drinking, on an empty stomach, is called medically as Delirium Tremens. It is a life threatening condition that requires emergency treatment. Delirium Tremens can leave scars all your life by causing irreversible damage to your health.

If you cannot go to a doctor for some reason, I suggest that you wean yourself "away" from drinks gradually. The best way to do that would be by having a mild beer everyday for a few days. Stop for a week and have a beer again. Do this for at least six to eight months, before your brain is accustomed to lower levels of alcohol. That way, your body wont do that sudden and unexpected craving for lots of booze and put your health or life in danger.

There are also some medicines available to remove alcohol metabolites out of your liver. Check if you can get them and whether you can buy them across the counter.

AA etc are fine but there are a lot of members there who "slip" back to alcoholism and take away some others with them. Often, their meetings put those hoping to leave drinking, in a state of depression.

Answer 2

It really sounds like you're in a tough situation. I was a little surprised to see at the end that you were fasting-- but I like your determination. I hope you can stick to it! Being Muslim, drinking alcohol, yes is haraam, but just in terms of health-- it's so bad for you! You seem to extremely dependent on it. Because of that, quitting slowly will only prolong the entire quitting process. If you start 'cutting down' your psyche will begin to believe you can control how much you want to drink vs understanding that it's not good for you at all. Your body won't stop functioning if you quit cold turkey...it may however stop working if you don't quit at all :( If you are serious about being healthier, I suggest biting the bullet and quitting all at once. Use this month as a chance to repent...and take advantage of the 30 days as a kick start to remove alcohol from your system all together! Hopefully, God will give you the strength to be free from alcohol. Good luck...and I hope you come out strong :) Happy Ramadan!

Answer 3

You seem to have beat it - scared straight. Many people just grow out of it with age. Six months and no desire to drink, it doesn't sound like an alcoholic, sounds like a binge drinking phase.

If you feel you would benefit from counseling or AA, then feel free to go without hesitation. But I think it would be like graduating high school and because you found it was too easy, that you decide to go sit in with the kindergarten kids and learn the lords prayer all over again. Actually, I am changing my answer. Go to counseling if you feel you need to talk to someone. Don't go to AA unless you happen to start getting urges to drink, especially beyond a couple of drinks. I too believe AA is a crutch that works for some that need it, but isn't the best for everyone.

Answer 4

Either or would be okay to go to. AA is good because there are others that have been there, done that. And Understand. As for counseling, it would be good for one on one talking about what caused you to want to drink in the first place. Especially so much, so often. I am personally VERY Proud that you have quit drinking. I'm sorry you had to have such a scare to get you there-but I am glad. I wish you the best. Take care.

Answer 5

You are fortunate to get through cold turkey on your own. Maybe you should check out AA or outpatient treatment to see if you need the support to stay sober. Some times a person drinks to mask depression or other problems, and it would be good for you to see a counselor for these issues. You don't want something mean to come up and bite you on the butt after staying sober for 6 months. Congratulations to you and I hope your future is bright!

Answer 6

Do not go to AAA- it's an organization that tries to tell you that giving them money, and using tactics like those sick "born again" Evangelical" so called Christian types, will solve all your problems! I like a glass of wine every night because it's good for your heart. It may not always be alcohol that is the problem- it could be sick people- like computer hackers and Evangelist, taking away some other kind of necessary psychological need - like sex or being able to use your talents - and taking advantage of you! If you like a glass of wine- do not stop drinking and learn how to control your mind more without passing out and nail the people who are really responsible for your problems! AA = Arrogant A??????!!

Answer 7

I'm glad you quit on your own, and sometimes, it takes hitting bottom to realize what you should do. I think you're doing great, I've had many people go through what you have, blacking out, getting caught in the party scene. If you don't have cravings, do research on how to replace one habit for another (hopefully not overeating or smoking), maybe running or hiking. Point is, I've sorry you had to go through the scare of that, but it probably had to come to that, I'm just glad your safe and was not sexually assaulted.

Answer 8

safest way to go girl.
I'm traveling south America and i know I'm an alcoholic cause i just get wasted every night.scary things happen all the time.Ive seen chicks get totally trashed,tattooed then wake up days later and ask if we knew how it all went down.staying sane is not unsafe but if u crave a drop get help.i cant say AA helped me as i got sick of saying hi my names Steve I'm an blah blah.......
if uve been off the juice 4, 6 months id say a counsel session or many to help get off what u figure could have hap pend to ya when pissed will help.
i tip my cap to ya girl,stay sober and learn to live happy without the power aid.

Answer 9

WHOA...quiting on drinking us good, OF course it's safe to stop drinking, drinking cause u feel that alcoholic drinks can help u to stay alive, or the only way you can forget your problems, but the thing is not! they can causes you some diseases, the best organ that can affect on that is your liver! i congratiolation YOU...for stop drinking, just drink that those are good for your health make sure you won't miss the taste of vodka! or else you'll be a drinker again!

i'm proud of you!

Answer 10

be proud of yourself for doing something a lot of other people can't do even with help. I don't know you and I'm proud of you for taking control of your demons ( booze) I only wish that my girlfriend had the same ambition. Don't give in to any other drugs or life wrecking habits and you will see that there are plenty of other nice things to do with your life. be strong and keep up the good work.