What are some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawl...what is the dry out time?

Question

My husband to be has changed his life and has made changes in his life to better our future...meaning cutting out the alcohol and day long drinking binges @ the bar with his friends.

As a business owner with a multi million $$ company he realized how much better everything would be if he ran it sober. Doing 60 days in tent city in Phx AZ woke him up. Now he is going through these up and down spells. One minute he is my best friend, the next a total ***.

He admits he has urges and is fighting them hard. Tells me our relationship is the only white light to his battle. I am by his side but wonder how long does the dry out time take.

He's taken up running and tennis to help with the time and other hobbies are helping, but its the mood swings that are killing me...CAN ANYONE HELP WITH SOME ADVICE!

Answer 1

My husband had major mood swings also when he was drying out. That and he had shakiness sometimes also. Sadly he only lasted 3 months then started drinking again. I wish you luck. Hang in there!

Answer 2

Your still up the creek, but in a pretty comfortable boat. Really what you'll have to worry about most is finding out things can actually be fun while your sober. A 12-pack a day is a significant amount of alcohol - even if its light beer at approximately 4 percent. I would suggest weening yourself down, instead of quitting outright (unless you've already quit outright). Just stop drinking a beer a day, so tomorrow only have 11, the next day 10, the next day 9. You can cut more off most likely. I'd be more worried if you were drinking a fifth a night (alot more worried). Your body nontheless has grown a dependance to alcohol, and you will most likely suffer from withdrawals. These can range from a headache to the shakes. In most cases a couple advil along with hydration and a full stomach will keep your body from exhibiting these withdrawal symptoms. Two years is a long time to be downing a 12er a day - so be prepared for some significant mental challenges. Your body is going to crave beer like it would water. Everytime you see a commercial, pass a bar, see it at a restaraunt etc - you might want one or twelve. This might be the hardest hurdle to jump. I would go to a local AA meeting or two just to make sure your doing everything right, and to associate with people you have a common goal with.

Answer 3

God bless U & your husband...I'm going to be perfectly honest w/U when I tell U that there is no such thing as 'a drying out time', when it comes to alcoholism...we have moments when we are not useing, but when we pick up again we just pick up where we left off. I was an alcoholic for over 20 years, so I'm speaking from experiemce, not what someone has told me or what I've read. I lived it. But there is hope. Praise God I've been clean & sober for nearly 9 yrs. I do drink wine on occassion-no more that 2 glasses though. I don't like the loopiness anymore. :) The mood swings are normal. The body is getting use to being without it's normal pacifier. We drink when things are good, bad, & indifferent. We drink to celebrate, congratulate, & any other reason that we can come up with. Your husband needs a support system. I don't know if he'd completely object to AA meetings or not. They're good & millions have found success through them. You both could go. You for moral support & him just to see what it's about. He doesn't have to partiscipate in the discussion, just listening does alot. I personally needed more that just meetings. I needed to include Christ Jesus, because I needed a whole new mind set all together...I had absolutely no coping skills. I started drinking in my late teens; so I was quite emotional & childish in my views and unrealistic expectations, which caused major problems for me & the absence of alcohol only made my issues more vivid. Don't give up on him or yourself. The race is not given to the swift, nor the strong, but to him that endureth to the END...I'm believing God for your success & his deliverance. May he be once again the man that you fell in love with.

Answer 4

I guess the question you should be honestly asking yourself is, can you trust him not to drink EVER again? Will your thoughts be consumed of what he's doing, when your not together? What about when he's on those business meetings with the people that he was originally drinking with? What about friends and family that he has drank with?
Being in Al-Anon I've come to realize that most of the women or men will always have this in the back of their minds. Me personally, I can't live with that it's not healthy for the mind or body!
You need to understand the person you knew as an alcoholic, and the REAL person your dealing with now. He will always have this weakness, and may acquire new ones along the way. Each needing to be worked at, each needing special love and care from HIMSELF! You can only be on the sideline cheering him on.
He may also have other personality disorders going on...anti-social behavior, possible bi-polar, etc.....these things should be addressed if he's in counseling, with you there.
Remember, you need to take are of yourself, how can you be strong for him if your weak? You may want to start attending Al-Anon, to learn how to handle many of the changes he'll be going through. You'll be going NOT for him, but for YOU.
Good Luck, I suppose he's worth it!

Answer 5

He's doing one thing the program teaches, changing people, places & things. So he's working the program like he was told. He is going to have his ups & downs...Just REASSURE him you are with him & going to support him. Of course everyone is different, there's a 30 day plato, a 60 day plato & he shouldn't make ANY significant decisions for the first 2 yrs. I mean very important decisions. I honestly would suggest you attend some Alanon mtgs. & share your tho'ts w/others. You are all in the SAME boat. Just listen in the beginning if you don't feel comfortable in saying anything. You w/learn some things that w/help you tremendously. It is a fighting battle, but sure is worth it. Just glad he did get in the program. AA saved MY life, Alanon saved my sanity! He can go to his program, you go to yours. Lots of places have the mtgs. on the same nites, you go to your mtg. he goes to his. Some of the mtgs. are "open" mtgs. & you could go to some w/him. (ONLY IF he wants you to) You'd be able to see what one goes thru staying away from just that first drink. Just hang in, it's worth it...Don't take things he says personal, they are NOT directed at you. Learn & say the Serenity Prayer, it also helps. I'm glad to say I'm one who knows! I wish you ALL THE BEST! NO DRINKS!!! One is too many, 100 is not enuf. I've been sober for 20 yrs. & was an everyday Vodka drinker. The program DOES WORK. Have him go to as many mts. as he can. He drank every day, he needs mts. & as many as possible. He also should get a sponser to talk to whenever he needs, someone to talk to. Just tell him to follow the program.

Answer 6

21 days in detox is about the only chance he has. You'll find he has a hard time controlling his emotions, that was what alcohol did for him..kept him self-medicated. You'll also need to make sure ALL the alcohol is out of the house. That includes mouth washes with alcohol, and cough medicines, and too many things to list.

Good luck. It's going to be hard work for both of you.

Answer 7

Maam sobriety almost never lasts forever and if it does the issues you are describing are constant in the marriage. If your husband wants to be happy, he needs to learn how to have one or two drinks, get up and walk away from the bar. This will help him to defeat the demons that drive him to have 12 and 15 drinks in one sitting. If he doesnt those demons will always be there.

Answer 8

Ok, I understand what you are going through. He does deem credit for trying, but he needs further help. Urge him to seek therapy for this chemical dependency. Don't give up on him, however; He does WANT to change but needs a professional. ( and also spiritual guidance is with benefit as well)

Answer 9

good luck