This is going to be the article I once searched for when I wanted to know how long the alcohol withdrawal timeline was supposed to last, and what steps I could take to begin the process of body repair after quitting drinking.
I would alternate between my bed and my couch, trying to distract myself from the shakes, nausea, and cold sweats. How long would these miserable symptoms last? I read some articles that said the alcohol withdrawal timeline only lasted for three days, and others that told me that my symptoms would last for months.
I was beyond frustrated, because I didn’t just want to know how long my symptoms would last. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to actively manage them. Ultimately, I wanted to know how to build my health back from scratch.
That was years ago, and I’ve spent a lot of time compiling the answers to these questions for anyone who happens to find themselves in my former shoes.
We will begin with some dark (and complex) subjects. But we will proceed all the way to the light at the end of the tunnel. Understanding your condition is a crucial first step towards beating alcoholism forever.
Contents
- Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – Symptoms And Duration
- Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?
- Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – Why Do Repeated Alcohol Withdrawal Episodes Get Worse?
- Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – How To Ease Symptoms
- Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – Preventing Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
- Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – For Men
- Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – How I Used Pride As A Weapon Against Relapse
- Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline & Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – Conclusion
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – Symptoms And Duration
While some people who are psychologically dependent on alcohol experience no withdrawal symptoms, most alcoholics experience withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours after they quit drinking. I will describe the mild, moderate, and severe alcohol withdrawal timelines.
I will then address the following topics:
It’s important to note that, because we are all biochemically different, not everyone has the same symptoms or alcohol withdrawal timelines. Moreover, both the symptoms and timeline depend on the severity of alcohol dependence.
With that said, the following chart is a general snapshot of the alcohol withdrawal timeline. In the following sections I will clarify and expand upon this timeline.
Mild Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms feel like exaggerated (and extended) hangover symptoms. About eight hours after the last drink, you may feel:
- A general sense of unease
- Trouble sleeping
- Shaky hands
- Mild sweating
- Confusion
- Stomach discomfort
- Fatigue
- Mild depression
- Symptoms generally peak and go away within 24 hours
A person who suffers from mild withdrawal symptoms and escalates their drinking is likely to experience moderate withdrawal symptoms in the future.
Moderate Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
Moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include any of the above, with the addition of a few others that can make you feel like you’re on the verge of losing your mind:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased sweating
- Heightened anxiety
- Mood swings
- A very real sense of impending doom
- Hypersensitive reflex responses
- Agitation
- Symptoms generally peak and taper off within 48 hours
Alcohol cravings, anxiety, and/or depression can continue for weeks if they are not addressed with support, drugs, or nutritional supplementation.
A person with moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms who continues to drink will increase the likelihood of experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the future.
Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline
People who are severely dependent on alcohol have often been drinking large amounts daily for many months or years. Quitting alcohol can produce symptoms only a few hours after the last drink.
Severely dependent people who quit cold turkey can expect to experience:
- High fever
- Uncontrollable negative thoughts
- Nightmares while half-asleep
- Brain zaps
- Full body twitching
- Visual, auditory, and/or tactile hallucinations
- Full body seizures, usually within 1-2 days of the last drink
- Delirium Tremens – confusion/hallucinations that can last up to a week (untreated)
(Before I quit drinking, I unwisely decided to try to quit cold turkey. I couldn’t believe that I had downed an entire handle of vodka the night before, and so I took the day off of work and decided to tough it out. I experienced every symptom on the list above except for seizures. I downed an entire bottle of bitters in order to end the madness. I had to keep drinking until I sought professional help.)
People with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms are likely to experience psychological difficulties for months afterward. I fell into this category.
If you have any symptoms of severe alcohol withdrawal, you are experiencing a medical emergency that can be fatal. Consult a doctor immediately. He or she will likely prescribe a benzodiazepine that will calm down your hyperactive brain, prevent seizures and help to restore normal blood pressure. You may be required to detox under medical supervision.
There are fine lines and gray areas between each of these three stages of alcohol dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to use an honest assessment about how much and how long you’ve been drinking to determine the stage of your symptoms.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal?
Alcohol is a depressant that mimics GABA, which is the primary “inhibitory” or calming neurotransmitter in our brains. The alcoholic brain decreases its long-term GABA production because it has learned to rely on alcohol for the same effect.
To make matters worse, alcohol suppresses glutamate, which is an “excitatory” neurotransmitter. Glutamate has the opposite effect as GABA, making our brains hyperactive and our experience of the world hypersensitive.
When an alcoholic stops drinking suddenly, two important things happen:
- Glutamate rebounds to high levels within 3-8 hours
- GABA does not return to normal levels (this can take weeks)
Many of the symptoms above are caused by a lack of GABA and an excess of glutamate.
Alcoholism is a complex condition, and many other biochemical processes are involved in alcohol withdrawal symptoms. But in case you’ve been suspecting that you’re doomed or you’re losing your mind, it can be very helpful to be aware of the GABA/glutamate mechanism.
The following graphic may help you to grasp a fuller picture of the biochemistry involved:
Alcoholism is not a sinister curse; it is a biochemical disorder that can be conquered.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – Why Do Repeated Alcohol Withdrawal Episodes Get Worse?
Kindling is a phenomenon of brain chemistry for alcoholics. It basically means that episodes of withdrawal tend to get worse over time.
Due to kindling, I’ve experienced almost every symptom listed in all of the stages of alcohol withdrawal above.
In high school, I had a few scattered hangovers. These progressed to mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms when my tolerance increased in college. By the time I finished college, I experienced moderate symptoms if I went a few days without drinking.
In my mid-twenties, I could not take a week off of drinking without suffering some gray area between moderate and severe withdrawal symptoms. I had to call in sick to work whenever I wanted a “dry period” to begin. Eventually, my symptoms got so severe that I was left with no option but to get help.
The worsening of symptoms from episode to episode baffled me. Why couldn’t I go back to having simple hangovers or mild withdrawal symptoms?
The answer is that I had progressively greased the pathways of alcohol withdrawal in my own brain. With each alternating period of drinking, withdrawal, and dry time, my brain’s compensatory manipulation of GABA and glutamate became more exacerbated.
Moreover, scientists have found that each alcohol withdrawal experience permanently alters specific processes within our brains. (It is not necessary to understand these processes to grasp the concept of kindling.)
Studies in primates have found that animals with past withdrawal episodes suffered from more extreme symptoms in later episodes, even when they were given less alcohol than they had consumed in the past. (source)
Yet the average heavy drinker doesn’t decrease the amount of alcohol consumed over time. It’s no secret that alcoholics build a frighteningly high tolerance for alcohol. This fact also adds to the severity of future withdrawal episodes.
So, why do alcoholics tend to escalate their drinking over time? One reason they drink more is because more alcohol is needed to fill in for GABA, which becomes ever more scarce in their brains. Additionally, more alcohol is needed to suppress glutamate, which as mentioned before, causes feelings of stress that set in a few hours after drinking sessions end.
And so the alcoholic begins drinking more during each session and waiting less time in between sessions. Alcohol withdrawal episodes can go from “mild” to “severe” within the span of a few months. There are a few other reasons that alcohol withdrawal can get worse over time:
- Longer duration of drinking causes more brain and organ damage (detox becomes more physically difficult)
- Psychological dependence increases along with physical dependence (quitting alcohol becomes more mentally difficult)
It’s not uncommon for an alcoholic who swore never to drink in the morning to reluctantly begin taking a shot or two to ease withdrawal symptoms before work. It seems like a blur in retrospect, but luckily after reaching this point, I decided that it was time to let go of my pride and get help.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline – How To Ease Symptoms
Since alcoholism is a biochemical disorder, there are a number of biochemical remedies that can help alleviate your symptoms and begin the process of body repair after quitting drinking.
To learn about how the above can help you feel better during or after alcohol withdrawal, be sure to read these two articles:
Since I previously discussed the role of GABA in alcohol withdrawal, I should note that GABA can be taken in oral form. Some people may be helped by this supplement, but studies have not shown that it’s effective at crossing the blood-brain barrier. (source) I have never felt any effect from taking GABA supplements. If a GABA supplement comes out that changes my mind, I will write about it.
Properly managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms will drastically improve your quality of life and, as a result, your odds of avoiding relapse.
Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms should be monitored by medical professionals. For mild or moderate withdrawal symptoms, you may be able to detox at home. Beyond supplementation, here are some tips based on my past experiences with home detox:
Years ago, I successfully used epsom salt baths, contrast showers, diet changes and exercise to begin dry periods that would last a week or two.
But I never read anything about the biochemistry of alcohol tolerance, kindling, or the alcohol withdrawal timeline. As a result, I would inevitably drink again at a party. After a week or two of summoning all of my willpower to drink “socially,” I’d still end up with worse alcohol withdrawal symptoms than I’d had before.
Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – Preventing Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Once you reach the end of your particular alcohol withdrawal timeline, you will have finished detoxing. You should congratulate yourself. The strategies listed above will continue to help you feel human again if you’ve been drinking for a long time. Beating alcoholism is now within your power.
If your alcohol withdrawal symptoms were mild, pause to realize that you’re ahead of the curve. These symptoms don’t disappear or get better if you repeat them in the future. I wish someone had told me about kindling before I decided to drink and withdraw, again and again.
The next step is to fully repair your body and brain so that you can feel as good all the time as you thought alcohol would make you feel.
It can be done, and I’m living proof. The teetotal lifestyle is extraordinary.
With the right nutritional and lifestyle strategies, you can minimize the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). This condition affects a majority of alcoholics because brain chemical balance does not return automatically once drinking stops.
Anxiety, depression, insomnia and alcohol cravings are the most common symptoms of PAWS. Here are some things you can do to address them:
If you check off all five of these categories, you have no reason to worry about those gloomy relapse statistics. You’ll be well on your way to repairing your body and rewiring your brain!
Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – For Men
Alcohol inhibits testosterone production severely. If you’re a man, this situation can and should be reversed as quickly as possible. Testosterone is a powerful natural antidepressant and maintaining high levels goes a long way in ensuring an optimal state of mind. (source)
I can personally vouch for the following lifestyle strategies, which will synergistically help you repair your virility and T-levels once you quit drinking:
I know many women who incorporate the above guidelines into their lifestyles, and they tend to be very happy and healthy as well.
I’ve also found the following supplements helpful for increasing my subjective sense of well-being naturally (links are to the brands I use):
The truth is, I’ve never come across a “T-booster” that actually increases testosterone. Popular supplements like tribulus terrestris did not do anything for me. If your T-levels are clinically low, a blood test can help you decide whether testosterone-replacement therapy might be a good idea.
Yet the three supplements above are my holy trio for increasing energy levels and getting through long days. My dad is also a new superfan of maca powder; at the age of 70, he still does a few hundred pushups each day.
Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – How I Used Pride As A Weapon Against Relapse
There are some who retreat entirely to the spiritual realm after battling addiction. I became more spiritually centered after I quit drinking, but I also wanted to achieve a total personal transformation. I didn’t want to do this so that I could get “likes” on Instagram. I wanted to do it for myself.
I now see my health, and my physique, as an extension of my will – and even my creativity. I would not do well in a bodybuilding competition, but that’s not my goal. My physical transformation is symbolic of those deeper spiritual epiphanies, and a reminder that anything is possible as long as I refuse to waste my time on earth.
Alcohol wrought havoc on my appearance and self-esteem. My gut health was a disaster, my skin was dry and flaky, and my teeth were yellow from nights passed out on the couch without brushing. I just didn’t feel like the best version of myself at all.
The following lifestyle tips may seem trivial. But they helped me go the extra mile to repair my body and pride naturally:
When you look and feel your best, you’re in a position to use your well-earned pride as a powerful weapon against relapse. No need to overanalyze – it’s as simple as that.
Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline & Body Repair After Quitting Drinking – Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the alcohol withdrawal timeline and the process of body repair after quitting drinking. I have a habit of condensing too much information on any given page. Perhaps this is because I’m always reading, always experimenting for myself, and always writing down what I’m learning.
I find a tremendous amount of fulfillment in the idea that something I’ve learned can help others break free from the same horrible state of body and mind that once tortured me.
Honestly, this new zest for life keeps me on track more than any single remedy I discuss. It seems like a chicken and egg question: Which came first, my renewed passion for life, or the lifestyle strategies and basic nutrient repair that made it possible?
The answer is that I didn’t feel particularly good about anything until I made proactive changes in my nutritional regimen, lifestyle, and internal assumptions.
Self-improvement never ends. We either make progress and grow, or we stagnate and die.
For information, motivation, and strategies on how to experience your own personal transformation after quitting drinking, check out my eBook, Drinking Sucks! and my in-depth online course, Total Alcohol Recovery 2.0.
If you have any questions about the alcohol withdrawal timeline or body repair after quitting drinking, please leave them in the comment box below.
Just quit drinking after around 7 years of alcohol addiction, I’m currently in the middle of day 3: it’ll be 72 hours at about twelve tonight. I got hammered Monday night and took a seizure the next day, decided that enough is enough and called an ambulance. Spent the night in hospital and was given Librium, discharged on Wednesday. I’m feeling better already, but I’m very paranoid about having another seizure or getting the DTs. I spoke to a nurse at my local drug and alcohol centre, and was told that the chances of me having a seizure now were low but to be on my guard in case I do begin to go into delirium tremens. I’d really like a second opinion on when I might be out of the woods, I know this article addresses that but can never hear too many points of view. I’m a 25 year old male, eat a decent diet, take Thiamine and vitamins, get exercise now that I’m sober, and have not as of yet had any hallucinations or anything else. I had the DTs last time I quit, to the point that I had to be placed in a secluded room in the hospital with a security guard outside to make sure I didn’t wander off somewhere. If somebody could let me know from their experience when normality begins again it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.
Congrats on quitting drinking Nezza. Years ago, I was in a very similar position as you are now.
It’s up to medical professionals to make sure that you’re out of the woods in terms of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Usually, they prescribe anti-seizure medications with high rates of effectiveness, and wean you off of them slowly.
Now you have a long process ahead of you. Will you frame it as a terrifying burden, or as an enlightening, character-building quest for self-discovery?
For now, you don’t need to know all the answers. Silver lining optimism and openness to change is a great start. You have already seen all that alcohol has to offer you. This site exists to show you that life can be (and you can feel) incredible after you beat alcohol addiction.
Thank you so much for this article. It’s been 3 days, tapering a 3/4 handle of vodka a day for 13 years to just 5 beers today, to prevent seizures, as I do not have health insurance and live alone. Finally, today, I have no shakes, was able to eat and take vitamins, and sleep without sweating. I have been watching inspirational videos about this and just read your article and I think I can safely go to sleep. Thanks!!!
Thanks for your comment, Brandie – and keep it up!! Alcohol is toxic garbage and you will never need it again after you taper down completely.
I tapered down for 2 yrs and when I finally stopped completely I had all the bad effects to an extreme! .everyone thought I was crazy I was manic for a couple months and very sick! Like your article says my sugar levels were a mess! What a blessing to have this information and I pray many to come across this article to truly help them add to their body what is has lost and what it needs!! Good food and vitamins exercise and sleep! Honestly I could have not succeeded without prayer 🙂 it was a joy to read this I wish I would of saw this 3 yrs ago when I stopped drinking! But to the ones that are weening themselves be prepared and only GOOD COMES when u walk thru the difficult time of your body detox and the part of your brain repairing itself of the chemical I’m balance!! It is the best feeling to be sober and NOT WANT 🙂 YOU CAN DO IT!!
I must add that your not just physically detoxing but spiritually too! This is important to know! Your thoughts our so excessive during detox and what helped me was to journal , write it all down, when I look back at what I wrote each year it’s amazing to see your progress! And to learn is such a privilege in our life, it’s never to late to start, to search for TRUTH ! Like he said you always want to keep enduring even when we’re old! Till we take our last breathe! Your Spirit is always wanting Good food to stay alive and shine! Where is your oil for your lamp? God’s Word I’m not religious but wanted to share some truth 🙂
Great stuff Athena, for sharing your experience!
Thanks for the article! I am a 30 year old female and drank very heavily for a 2-3 years (1/2 a handle every few days, more on weekends) but switched to beer a year or two ago since I can get it for free. The switch was easy and I started feeling better after but I still am drinking too much (6 pack a night, more on weekends.) After the weekends I sometimes feel a slight dull pain in my liver which I know isn’t good.
Anyway, I woke up today and decided to really cut down more, perhaps completely. I also decided last month that I would like to get pregnant and recently read in a study that it is around 66% harder for heavy drinkers to conceive. Not only for that, but I would like to cut down for my own health (absolutely stopping if I get pregnant.) I usually only have moderate physical withdrawals for a day or two after a binge weekend if I completely stop.
How long do you think it takes for a “full” detox after stopping completely? Maybe that question is impossible to answer. I didn’t understand if your graph was measured in days or hours… I know there are psychological withdrawal symptoms people have for a long time, but I guess I’m talking about physical detox?
Thanks again, very informative! 🙂
Thanks for your comment Steph! The graph that you’re alluding to has days on the x-axis.
The length of time your body will require to heal depends on many factors – the amount you drank, length of time you were addicted to alcohol, general health, genetics, environment, external stressors (work), etc. However, you can VASTLY decrease the amount of time it will take to “physically detox” by using the right supplements, eating well, drinking plenty of water, getting sufficient sleep, getting regular exercise, eliminating unnecessary stressors, and avoiding negative people.
I’ve included links in the above to articles that address those pieces of advice, which seem like common sense, yet whose specifics elude even the best of us during recovery.
If you do all of the above, you should begin to feel good within a month or two. Maybe less, maybe more.
Compare that to the YEARS that it takes for most people (who never learn about nutrition or lifestyle strategies) to feel normal after quitting drinking. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, as long as you have the resolve to learn about the tools that can help you heal more quickly. And of course, with supplements, everyone’s body is different and there is a harmless yet sometimes frustrating process of trial and error.
Best of luck to you Steph!!
Thanks for the reply, Chris! I will check out all the links you posted. Already feeling a lot better today and I am making sure to keep up on my vitamins, etc. Your site is an excellent resource!
Awesome, thanks Steph!
Its true , all your research on the vitamins and supplements to take as well as the benzos it will make withdrawal so much easier less painful . Even after repeated cycles of abuse ,withdrawal , abstinence the kindling effect is absolutely something we all should just be terrified about . Thank you for the articles and research I will be checking back to see what else I can learn and be free from this horrific grip.
You can break the cycle; this knowledge will empower you. Good luck Chris!
Great read Chris I recently withdrew from alcohol for the fifth time in six years, 3 months ago. All other times felt fine after a week or so after detox, but this time I am getting tremors now and then still 4 months after, is this normal.
Hi Jon, this is normal due to the kindling effect. Withdrawal episodes tend to get worse over time, and this can apply to post-acute withdrawal as well. You may want to check out some supplements for alcohol recovery, especially ones like magnesium and DLPA, which can aid with relaxation and normalize brain chemistry.
If you still need further help, you may want to see a doctor to talk about medications like gabapentin.
Stay strong and good luck to you!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or alcohol recovery programs.
This is one of the best searches for Alcohol withdrawals. Really loved reading it
I drank for about 9 years excessively . 750 ml of whiskey almost everyday. I have finally decided to quit. It’s my fifth day for the first time. Feeling depressed and torn apart. Have started exercise and basketball for about an hour . Either of the two.But still having sleep disorders and I wake up suddenly of fear. But I am at it and not going close to the bottle. Thanks man…. This website is a miracle and a life saver.
Keep it up Kashif, and thanks for the kind words! Congrats on deciding to change your life. Early recovery feels tough, but life gets easier – if you’re proactive.
Chris I just went through another withdrawal and I am on day 5 after a 5 day binge. I am still not feeling the best, I am so interested in a few things in your article. I am very healthy eat good and do yoga at least 5 days a week (and instruct it. ) With all of that being said I still will go on a binge and I am so wanting to never ever do that again. Any good suggestions?
Hi Jimia, this is a topic that I cover in my eBook extensively. Sounds like you’re suffering from kindling – each withdrawal episode will be worse than the last one. Use this as motivation to quit once and for all, drinking really sucks once you get far away enough from it to gain perspective!
Don’t forget to repair your biochemistry. I wish I could suggest a one-size-fits-all solution, but there is no such thing. It will be a personal journey for you. Embrace it, make the most of it, and start to see alcohol as the worthless toxin that it really is!
You can have fun without it.
Loved reading this article. Im about 3 to 4 weeks sober. Used diazapam in first week and half. Felt on top of world but last 2 weeks i can get out of bed early but am so tired, depresed and struggling with everyday chores i dont want to watch tv which is what i did while an alcoholic so find im walking around lost. I have to nap everyday. This will be at least my 6th time stopping drinking over the last 6 years several i went to rehab for. I lasted 4 months last time as doing IVF and when that failed i crumbled and hit the bottle again. My age now makes it almoat impossible to go through this in Australia (my sister stuffed my last chance at using my own eggs as she was using meth and i was looking after her children for 3 year). I dont remember things, have nightmares about drinking and generally dont sleep. I was a heavy drinker of at least 2 bottles plus of wine a night. Im guessing im going through PAWS but on all other abstinences i have never felt so bad. Im on antidepressants and have been forever. Last time i stopped drinking i had the support of my dad as i asked him to come help me and we smashed out a veggie garden redid other parts of my garden and i was pumped every day. I love gardening but the weather where i am is 40 plus degrees and its hard to spend allot of time outside. Ichanged my diet to organic, lost 15kg took many vitamins as i was working to create the best body for ivf.. This time im the opposite. The only thing i now enjoy is spending money and my other half is going to get sick of that soon. I don’t remember things that were said to me a few hours ago. Sometimes my head feels drunk whilst obviously im not. I feel desperate any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for sharing your experience Mandy, you know what it feels like to eat well and take useful supplements for alcohol recovery – so don’t give up and use these tools to build yourself back up again! I’m familiar with alcohol withdrawal insomnia and memory loss. These articles can help you determine what you will need to start feeling better.
For further guidance, I recount my whole experience of recovery in my eBook, Drinking Sucks! You can also peruse any of the articles on here, but that eBook consolidates a lot of information (and I hope, inspiration) in a very concise way.
Hi Mandy, try to walk. No quick walking, but far & long. Start with 3-4km a day. Just plain terrain, no high mountains. Make a distance longer in time. It’s optimal walk 5-7km ať one walk. This is the best excercise for a start and fór a rest of your life.
Hi Chris,
Really interesting article and a refreshing change from the confusing scare mongering sites you can come across online. I have been looking for something like this for a long time.
I am a 29 yr old female who works out alot and eats a healthy diet. I also do yoga and don’t really get anxiety or depressed anymore which is a result of letting go of other negativity. Over what is probably 10 years of drinking I have never suffered beyond mild withdrawal symptoms. I find some days it is easy to drink between 1-2 bottles of wine and other days easy to go without or think about alcohol all together.
Despite the units I am racking up I wasn’t overly concerned about the damage I was doing as it isn’t very visible and can always be concealed with make up if needed. However I am finding it increasingly difficult to sleep when I don’t drink and recognise from what you have written the underlying link to the wine and how much more damage it is doing internally than I realised.. Nights without alcohol are a struggle, to the point i dread going to bed. Also What was once 1 glass can now be 4 glasses before it has an affect. (Again all which has been explained in a really helpful and non accusatory way in your article).
Over the past year I have become very aware of the need to cut down as my tolerance builds. From reading the above I am now newly concerned about symptoms of withdrawal worsening and falling into the kindling process.
A further complication is That my friends all drink a lot and I work in the alcohol industry.
I guess my question is would you say there is a safe balance to drinking for someone like me? And a possibility that sleep issues can be resolved without having To give up alcohol?
I know you say that it is not possible for those in the moderate to high withdrawal stage, but do you think from what I have described about myself there may be a possibility that there is a safe balance?
Being that person having a shot in the morning seems impossible and terrifying but the thought of never being able to have a glass of wine seems pretty extreme as well.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you very much in advance for taking the time to read this and reply..
Fantastic comment EC, thanks for sharing your experience!
Tolerance can build for anyone over time, regardless of innate propensity for alcohol addiction. I’m sure it would be tough to take a break from drinking because you work in the alcohol industry. However, if it’s possible, I’d recommend taking a break for a set period of time to allow your system (and tolerance) to reset. If a break is not possible, see if you can cut back to 1 drink rather than 4. The cost of doing so will simply be that the pleasurable effect will be much muted, for some time.
The silver lining is that if you succeed in taking a break or cutting down to 1 drink per occasion, then you will have answered your own question about whether a safe balance is possible. You will have achieved it, despite some initial boredom perhaps. If you cannot achieve it, then at least you already know much more about the scientific basis of mild/moderate alcohol addiction than those scaremongering websites (mostly owned by rehab centers) care to tell you, and so you will be ahead of the curve.
As for sleep and restoring your health, I think that you could find supplementation to be extremely useful. I was VERY skeptical that supplements did anything until they basically saved my life. I was in more dire straits than you, but I would guess that you would benefit from taking amino acids like 5HTP for sleep, and a solid multivitamin like Legion Triumph (also helps with sleep). L-theanine is an amino acid that reduces glutamate activity. Passion flower and lemon balm are herbs that have been shown to stimulate GABA receptors. These supplements may help you considerably, and they are available on Amazon in capsule form. Eating healthy is definitely necessary, but alcohol is a hell of a toxin and more concentrated forms of nutrients are required to mitigate the damage it causes over time.
I discuss a number of supplements for sleep in my article on alcohol withdrawal insomnia. Sleep Support is a great supplement but it will be out of stock until Friday, I believe.
Good luck to you and thanks for your kind words!
I’m now 17 days. I’ve had very high blood pressure (170’s systolic) this past week, a lot of fear and light headedness the whole time. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and have felt much better today. God bless all of you in your battle. There is so much more to live for than drinking alcohol.
Wow, that is awesome. Congratulations on 17 days Matt!!
Your doctor might be able to prescribe short term meds for BP if it doesn’t go down, and the supplements discussed on this site can help you feel better even sooner by repairing your deficiencies naturally. Everyone is different, so you just have to figure out which ones work for you.
What a great article full of useful information! I’m a 38 yo male. I started drinking in my early 20s due to social phobia and general anxiety. Drank 1-2 bottles of wine a day and binged on weekends. For the past 6 or so years I’ve mainly only drank on weekends, becoming a binge drinker, drinking between 20-70 units of alcohol from Friday to Sunday. I would wake up and drink due to how terrible I felt, trying to mask the shaking and stave off the hopelessness and depression that would hit me. On a few occasions I would vomit due to how much I had consumed in a short period.
I did outpatient treatments including psychology sessions twice. Didn’t work for me (I think this article would be of great benefit to be given at the beginning of treatment). Tried Naltrexone. No luck. Last year I went to hospital twice due to having suicidal ideations while drunk (the alcohol almost gave me the courage to act on thoughts I always had). I broke my forearm last year slipping on rocks while drunk. 2 months ago I broke it again running and tripping over while drunk. But something has happened this time. I was taking the pain killer Targin (opioid based) and this made me feel good so I cut back greatly on drinking. Then I realised I was getting addicted to the pain killers. So I stopped taking them. I last drank 18 days ago and I didn’t like it at all. I last had pain killers 14 days ago. For some reason I have no cravings for anything, alcohol or pain meds. I keep expecting that craving to drink hit me, but so far it hasn’t. I feel great, better than I have in years. I feel my mind and body healing themselves and each day I’m waking up fresh and eager to see how I have improved from the day before. I take propanolol (for blood pressure but which helps slow the heart and stop physical anxiety symptoms) and also take Quetiapine (for depression, but which also helps you sleep) and think these stopped me from having a lot of the withdrawal symptoms listed above (also due to weaning off alcohol while I was on pain meds)
I was actually going to start drinking again at Christmas (with the intention of only drinking in moderation) but after reading this article, and writing my history down, I’m feeling inspired to remain sober, and continue to heal and feel great! Thank you so much for the article Chris and I will be reading your others for more inspiration. All the best to everyone in your journeys 🙂
Awesome comment Paul!! Very interesting on many levels. Once I understood how kindling works in the brain, and saw how it had applied to my own experiences, I found that it was much easier to postpone and eventually disregard any delusional plans I had for drinking “moderately” in the future.
Propranolol is a great tool for situational purposes, since it is not addictive nor euphoria-inducing. I still use it a few times per year for situational purposes, but I have found that minor diet changes (cutting sugar, increasing good fats), meditation (calming the amygdala), and exercise (rewiring the brain) combine to produce a VERY powerful antidepressant/anti-anxiety effect.
These three strategies, combined with giving your system the nutrient building blocks it needs to repair itself over time, can drastically improve your sense of well-being over time.
Interesting that taking a painkiller may have altered your neural pathway associated with drinking. This is speculative of course, but I have seen the same thing happen with kratom, which is much safer than painkillers. Unfortunately kratom looks like it will be banned soon. Doesn’t sound like you need it anyway though.
Keep it up man! I can assure you that life is 10,000 times better without alcohol, even though the brain can play tricks for some time.
My name is Melissa. I’ve drank for more than 25 years. Majorly and daily for 15 atleast. Have drank in am for more than 1 and stopped that when god put it in my heart a year ago. But drinking after work got worse. This year my blood pressure went sky high. I decided to slow down. Stop here and there for a few days to detox. But started having high anxiety. Racing heart. For three weeks every night I thought I was going to die cause drink or not my Bo would suddenly go extremely high. Went to hospital sever times. Never thought it was from drinking and want told that but by one doctor. That was in Jan after I drank a case by myself. So I thought I was just dehydrated. How could it be withdrawals when I go to sleep by 9pm and don’t drink until 3 to 4 pm next day. Have had bad nightmares sleep interruptions and panic attacks. Dehydrated almost everytime I went. I didn’t drink for 7 days then drank on thanksgiving. And next day. But on 25th my anxiety was bad. I still didn’t associate it with drinking. Until I googled serotonin and drinking. Then I looked up alchohol withdrawals. All this after a nightmare at 2am woke me. I haven’t drank for 11 days today. 2 days ago I went to hospital and had slight chest pains all day. That night I got very high anxiety and went about 1130 pm. I told them at hospital I thought it was withdrawals and was told eventually about 3 am they couldn’t find anything and to go see a cardiac specialist. But 9 days after drinking I wouldn’t be still having effects of it. I went to hospital on 26 of nov for same symptoms today is Dec 6 and told them that. I still believe it was from it. I’ve been taking two super be vitamins daily 1 in am 1 in pm since 26th nov. Also 2 potassium in am and 2 in pm along with Bo pills they gave me this summer in August. Finally starting to feel more healthy. Still get slight anxiety but hasn’t been as bad. Any suggestions to help. I understand it will take time to feel completely better but I have drank since I wad 13. In now 45. I didn’t ever get shakes or confusion or seizures but its been a scary summer for me health wise. But I never mentally craved a drank. Just something I was use to doing after work from boredom mostly I think. But I have talked to god everyday about it and begged him to not let me die. I have absolutely no intentions on putting myself through this ever again. But would just like the anxiety to go away.
Thanks for sharing this Melissa. Protracted alcohol withdrawal symptoms are common, but most doctors don’t know much about them. Magnesium can be very helpful for heart palpitations and a strong multivitamin like Legion Triumph might help. Your body must be severely nutrient depleted after all of those years of drinking! Best of luck to you!
I just poured about $50 of high shelf gin that I just bought down the drain, a bottle if Vermouth and a pack of Fever Tree tonic water. I had 4 Martini’s tonight and I just can’t do this anymore. I don’t drink everyday but I drink a few times a week and I want to stop. My husband died two years ago and the first year I was OK but this this second year the depression and isolation made me reach for the bottle! This of course only makes the depression worse! I have hot to start a new life and drinking is not going to help me do that. I always feel so guilty after I drink. No more!
Congratulations on seeing the light CL! Isolation is a big killer in recovery. You will find many articles on this site that can help you start your new life, regain your health, and stay on track. $50 is a lot of money for something that poisons the body and worsens depression!
I sent a comment days ago. I guess no advice for me? Or is my habit to complex for one from you
I responded – it’s above CL’s comment.
Sorry didn’t see it. I strongly don’t recommend anyone to continue or even go back to drinking if they are lucky enough first time to stop. My withdrawals have bbeen really bad this time. The kindling effect has really work its toll on my body both physically and mentally. The lack of sleep. The nightmares, panic attacks, racing heart, high anxiety lasting for days straight,overwhelming feelings as if your going to die at times, agitation,blurred visions from time to time,dehydration , blood pressure that has jumped up suddenly ranging from 150/103 to 198/110, and so much more. In retrospect its so not worth it. Good luck to all who quit. As for me I never want another drink. I promise you the after effects of years of thinking your just hanging out having a few with your buddies can lead to extremely high tolerance and serious withdrawals . just wish I could go back for a reform. Good luck to everyone. As for this website it tells alot of great info. But I promise you when you get to the state I am in it gets all to real. Really quick. If I have a drink my blood pressure goes up. If I don’t everything else goes wrong. God bless
You can get past this Melissa; I know it’s easier said than done.
You can obtain anti-anxiety prescriptions from your doctor if you need them, use supplements to rebuild your physiology, get support from friends/family/free meetings, constantly visualize who you WILL be without alcohol, and above all be patient with yourself.
Your terrifyingly accurate description above should be incorporated into your internal definition of alcohol. These are the effects of drinking for a huge number of us. As you note, there is no point in pretending alcohol’s effects are limited to euphoria or good times spent with buddies. The buddies will still be there without the alcohol, if they are real friends. Alcohol has nothing to offer except hellishness. A 20 minute buzz from a drink is never worth days of agony, and there are much better ways to achieve a buzz that can make you forget all about drinking.
Drinking sucks! There’s so much more to life than this poison.
I am 30 . I was drinking weekly once a week(heavily on friday nights) for the past 6 years . Last year I started feeling chest pain in the last rib (Lower chest pain) . I quit drinking and no longer feel chest pain .
I just want to pass the message and hope it helps some one.
Thanks for sharing this Kumar, I had the same thing for years and it was probably pancreatitis. Binges can inflame internal organs.
The magnesium has done wonders. Feeling much better. Sleeping better. Anxiety has went way down. Nightmares are few. Still no drinking. Don’t ever want to go back to that. Feel like a different person. Thanks much for the advice.
That’s fantastic Melissa!! You and I have had the same experience with magnesium. Keep it up!
This article is excellent, Scott.
Thank you.
I am on my 26th day sobre taking the recommended suplements and vitamines yet i have developed a sever asthma in the last few days…..
Could that be part of the detox process?
Thanks for this comment Valerie!
As for your breathing issues, definitely consult your doctor. If you’ve been off of alcohol for 26 days then I doubt it has anything to do with detox, though it’s possible. It’s best to get your lungs checked. I’ve had asthma my whole life and luckily no flare ups since I was a kid.
Assuming that you resolve this issue, you’re definitely on the right track – keep it up!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2760420/
Scott, i just found this. Its a clinical study by Mayo which establishes a strong connection between acute respiratory failure and excessive alcohol consumption:….the culprit would be an insufficient amount of Gluthatium.
Check it out
Interesting stuff – thanks for sharing this Valerie. If you’ve been suffering from ARD, definitely talk to your doctor.
Glutathione is an antioxidant produced in the liver, and levels of this compound are depleted by chronic alcohol exposure. Alcohol Support contains N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) which is the precursor to glutathione. Alcohol Support may therefore decrease the risk of acute respiratory distress, and you can also obtain NAC as a standalone supplement from Amazon.
I gave my dad pure NAC (bought from Amazon) for a bad cold once and it cleared his lungs very quickly. Perhaps irrelevant, but I have noticed that taking NAC seems to strengthen the stimulating effects of kratom. It seems to make our bodies process compounds more quickly.
Hope you get this symptom under control!
Thanks Chris for a well researched article which you wrote from your heart. I am also trying to detox.
Thanks for commenting Ajay, you can do it!!
I’ve been drinking heavy since I was 18 I’m now 30. In used to get black out drunk and fell asleep on neighbours lawns at that early age, obviusly embarrassing. I’m now semi under control but am still a functional alcoholic (not good). I tend to drink 6-21 tall cans of beers depending if I have places to go. I saw my doctor and it was confirmed I have liver disease but also caused by my weight. I weighed 252. Stopped eating fatty foods and cut down the beers. I’m at 228 now an doctor is pleased. During this weight loss process I went for 3 blood tests and 2 ultra sounds on my liver. My liver srunkby 5 cms and my liver tests improved from 1355 to 412. I recommended taking MILK THISTLE 3 times a day it does wonders for liver. But I changed my diet to eating turmeric, garlic, vitamin B, drinking green tea etc…. All anti inflammatory foods and my doctor was happy. Dandelion root is wonderful too. But I’m not saying to continue drinking because this helps. It’s just buying you time!
Thanks for sharing this McLean, sounds like you’ve made some awesome changes! Milk thistle is fantastic for the liver, as are the anti-inflammatory foods you mentioned. You’re absolutely right that these things just buy you time unless you quit.
Hi Chris.
Great stuff mate . I agree that withdrawals get worse. At 32 I started exercising withdrawals a year ago. Took breaks through drinking, went back to drinking , withdrawals again ; took breaks and the cycle continues . I haven’t drank for 3 months due to the last time I withdrew , hallinications ; visual and audible, nightmares , nausea , suicidal thoughts .
I was in a great place a couple months ago. By those emotional feelings have came back. Assuming that is PAWS. I am still experiencing body remotes which are worrying me because my mind goes straight to MS or Parkinson’s .
Will these tremors go away in time? Really worried . Thanks Chris .
Hey Jon, I’ve experienced everything you’ve mentioned. These symptoms will go away if you repair your body and brain. Supplementation is the most underrated strategy for recovery. This is something I discuss in my eBook and in enormous detail in my online course, Total Alcohol Recovery 2.0. Good luck buddy!
I drank heavily from the age of 12. By the age of 15 I was a dropout that worked for a local landscaping outfit which funded a 30 pack of Busch every 1-2 days. Fast forward 20 years I finally decided to quit. 7 months and 6 days today. Some days are easier than others but the last few days I have fealt like death. Doing supplements and hot/cold showers. Any idea how long this lasts?
Wow great job so far Sam, that’s a solid amount of time. There is a lot of individual variation in terms of the timeline for PAWS, but the right combination of supplements should help you to feel noticeably better within a month. Getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercise all help tremendously. My online course and/or my eBook might also help you get to the next level and feel better.
Good luck to you!
Thanks!
This is just one of the best sites that I have seen. I have 97 clean and sober. First time in 5 years!
This site is like a ‘bible” for me.
Thank you!
That’s awesome stuff Gordon, great job on 97 and keep it up!! Really glad this site has helped you, there are plenty more articles on the way so keep checking back.
I’ve been doing research to help support the sobriety decision of someone very dear to me (who is not as much of a reader/researcher as I am). This is the only detailed article I was able to find that details the process from a layperson’s perspective. As a questioner, the sources are also very helpful. I will be sharing this article. Thank you.
P.s. Have you come across the physiological cause of increased high blood pressure (for those already hypertensive pre-sobriety? This was the info I was seeking when I came across your article.
Hi Pat, glad this article helped you! You ask a VERY good question – the science is still out on exactly why alcoholics have high blood pressure. There seem to be a number of different mechanisms – including increased stress chemicals (cortisol and glutamate) causing the heart to beat faster, and impaired production of nitric oxide due to inflammation in artery walls (caused by alcohol).
This study is the best source for this topic that I have found. Eventually, I will try to put out an article on this subject. Importantly, the study notes that exercise is the most effective antidote to hypertension caused by alcohol. Hope this helps!
My boyfriend is an alcoholic and quit drinking two months ago now but he had been drinking heavily for 15 years. His mood swings are off the chart along with paranoia, and assumptions and scenarios completely made up in his head. I make sure that he eats right and drinks a lot of water, he wants to start going to work out which is good but I can’t handle the psychological effects of it too well, I’m trying to be understanding and supportive but mostly I take the brunt of all of it and it’s hard. I’ve tried suggesting that he go to the doctor and maybe try medication temporarily but he won’t listen going on about he doesn’t need it and he’s fine but he really isn’t. Is there any suggestions on what to do here because I’m struggling with it on a massive scale.
Hi Elysabeth, that must be rough and unfortunately it’s very common. As implied in this article, supplementation was the cornerstone of my recovery from alcohol addiction. Before using things like L-glutamine for alcohol cravings, DLPA to feel better during the day, and a number of the ingredients found in Alcohol Support and Sleep Support, I felt varying degrees of hopeless.
I’ve had a lot of private coaching clients report that they feel like different people after taking Alcohol Support and Sleep Support for a few weeks.
Exercise and eating right are necessary too and super important for maintaining health. But they are not always sufficient to repair the massive brain chemical imbalances caused by alcohol addiction. There are certainly medications that may be able to help.
There’s a lot on this site that can help his situation – but only if he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get better. That’s not something you can force upon him, so I feel for you. Best of luck to you both!
Hi, what works on me… Long distance walk, no hard working excercise, which drain the huge amount of energy. 4km for start, then more… 5-7 in one walk. Walk with friend if you can, but walk alone is also great, mind is clearer, oxygen is miracle! Our main psychiatrist for abusing drugs Dr. Karel Nešpor also recccomends walking as a treatment. After time, great is short heavy weight lifting, feg. squats with kettlbell 24kg etc. Walking, nature, fresh air… These are powerfull wizards. I wish You the best. Regards, Jan, Czech Republic
Chris: God bless you for this article! I am going on my 14th day alcohol-free, and although it may not seem like much to some people, to me it’s a major accomplishment each day. I feel better, look better, and after going thru rehab twiice in the past, something finally “clicked” in my brain! I finally know I deserve a better life!! I think back to when I was at my lowest with my 9mm pointed at my head and think of how far I have come. If I can do it, anyone can!! For me, daily exercise helps as well as cutting out processed sugars. I needed to read your article today because friends wanted me to drink socially for Mardi Gras but I said no. Bless you and thank you!!
Awesome stuff Jeff, thanks for sharing this!! You’ll feel better and better, the longer you recondition your brain away from alcohol. Exercise is huge. Keep it up!
Hi I am 40 days alcohol free. Had been drinking a bottle of wine a night for a long time. I’m 55. I felt fine for the first few weeks but am now experiencing forgetfulness, clumsiness, irritability and low mood. I do eat very healthily, work out and have started taking supplements, turmeric and maca. Headaches started a few days ago. Was feeling like going to see my doctor but thought I’d email you first.
Great job on 40 days Nicky! The supplements in this article may be able to help you; I experienced everything you just described. In particular, DLPA and magnesium helped with brain fog and low mood. Good luck to you!
Still not drinking since nov 25th. As I stated in earlier response I drank daily for better than 20 years. Magnesium has helped tremendously. Take a super b also. My blood pressure stays around 105-115/65-77 most of time. Had to cut bp Med in half. But still need it. Feel awesome. Haven’t been sober for so long I forgot what it was like to be completely alcohol free. God has lifted the chains off me. Use to drink to relax but now I just am relaxed. But I won’t lie. I had it rough for a bit. But the mg really helped. Thanks so much. Its not always great days due to paws. But god gets me threw them and even the rough days are now bearable. Hope allwho are at even the fewest days sober keep going. As I said i had it rough at first. But it is worth it. My worst started after about a week to two weeks after stopping. Mentally I didn’t want anything but my body had a bad time with it. Went to hospital a few times thinking I was about it die. It was just anxiety and panic attacks. The mg took a major edge off of those symptoms. Thanks Chris. It really has been a blessing finding this site. Thanks for taking your time to answer the questions people have. Its truly a blessing. God bless you
That’s so awesome Melissa, thank you for checking back here! Magnesium helped me a lot in early recovery. I slowly discovered the other supplements, some of which continue to help me feel optimized when I need them. For everyone it is an individual journey. Keep it up!!
One of my trips to hospital in Dlowdue to waking up and heart starting racing at 133 BM I found out my thyroid is low. Been trying to find something to help. Have found a couple things that claim helps. Kelp evening prime rose and ashwanganda. What do think would be the best to try. Or is there something better suited for that problem.?
Thanks for sharing Melissa, thyroid issues are very common – that does sound scary though. I am not a doctor or an expert in thyroid health, but I am a huge fan of ashwagandha. This herb supports the thyroid and has a natural anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effect. After prolonged periods of stress, I often take ashwagandha for a few weeks at a time. Best of luck to you.
Great informational read. I’m on day 30 of no alcohol after many years of drinking wine almost daily.
Still want to sleep in most mornings and fighting occasional headaches (like today). But, your article explained a lot what I am battling and I am going to explore all of your links in it.
Thanks for Sharing!
Thanks Tammi, and congrats on day 30! There’s a lot of info on this site that can help you beat grogginess and headaches. There’s an element of trial and error; every individual’s journey is her own. Keep it up!
After many years of drinking a bottle of wine a night my body started telling me ENOUGH! Alcohol was no longer making me feel good.
I tapered for a couple of days to manage withdrawal symptoms. After 2 weeks I began to feel healthy and had renewed energy, faith and joy. The last night I planned to have a glass or two of wine and totally blew it. A bottle and a half later I went to bed. This morning I feel wretched.
After just one night will I experience all of the withdrawal symptoms again?
Hi Catherine, I’ve been in your shoes many times. Whether you experience withdrawal symptoms will depend on a lot of factors – in my experience, the amount that I drank, how much sleep I’d gotten, and my nutrition all figured into this equation.
Most importantly, don’t beat yourself up. In the end, there’s no failure, just feedback, and you have a powerful new reminder of how much drinking sucks. Best of luck to you.
I started seeing a therapist last fall. I had some anxiety issues, but did not attribute it to drinking. At some point, I mentioned that I wanted to respect alcohol like I did a few years ago. Then I was a casual drinker, drinking socially, no more than one or two drinks. Slowly, I started to drink to feel good once or twice a week. Then I started doing shots to fall asleep. Eventually, I was drinking about 10 drinks a night. Before I knew it, I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms daily and at work. This was from 2011-2017.
Finally, I started counting the number of drinks I had and started to decrease the amount. First with shots of vodka, then with wine and beer. About two weeks ago, I decided to see how I would feel if I did not have any alcohol. Surprisingly, I did not have the symptoms I previously experienced – fast, pounding heart rate, anxiety and the feeling of impending doom. So I decided to see if I could sleep without any alcohol. Needless to say, I was a wreck. Using Benadryl worked, but made me groggy the next day. Eventually, I developed better sleep hygiene and now sleep through the night without waking with a start. It’s been two weeks since I made the decision to not drink, though I had one drink socially Saturday night. The only symptom I have right now is a constant headache. Thanks for your support on this website.
Thanks for sharing Billy, I too saw a therapist for “anxiety” before I knew connected the dots with drinking and withdrawal. Glad this site has been helpful for you!
Thank you, Chris. As this is my first experience really quitting, this headache (fairly constant for about 3 days now), is starting to worry me. Is this to be expected within the first week of detox? I never got headaches after drinking, and never experienced hangovers (thanks, Grandpa, for the awesome genes), and this is all so new for me.
I apologize if this is a repost.
Because this is my first time quitting drinking, I don’t have any experience with the withdrawal. I’m the guy who has never had a hangover, nor have I had next day headaches (thanks to my Grandpa’s genes!). The only symptoms I have are the lack of sexual interest and headache. I’ve not had a drink in over a week, and have had a mild, persistent headache (constant and every day) for 3 days now. I’m concerned about this and am wondering if it is part of the process. Thank you.
No problem man, if I were you I’d definitely drink a ton of water and look into a potent multivitamin like Legion Triumph along with magnesium citrate. I had occasional dizziness and headaches after I quit drinking, and those two supplements helped me feel better by a mile. You can read more about other supplements in this article.
Alcohol Support is also great stuff. There’s some inevitable trial and error here to see what works for you. Best of luck to you!
hey Chris,
Can definitely attest to kindling… I’ve quit numerous times only to fall back in with my “normal friends” who drink whenever we get together. Unfortunatly I don’t want to be the outcast, no fun guy who used to always be leading the party so I take a few sips… Which leads to drunk fun… With leads to 4 day binges. I usually detox cold turkey slowly tapering off but can’t stand the kindling anymore. I Just don’t know how to go through life being the stick in the mud and not joining in on the “fun” and being the party pooper when my family and friends get together… Birthdays, weddings etc.. I can’t beat it and AA is not an option for me… Not religious or spiritual AT ALL. don’t believe in any of that stuff.
oh… And I do work out and played sports my whole life… Rugby in college and later
I know this feeling well Scotty, but you can definitely beat it. It requires some biochemical repair (varying, depending on your level of addiction) and some serious mental reconditioning. I remember bringing a 6 pack of root beers to a party once during my “dry phases” and the host poured them out and handed me a “real” beer. Social pressure can definitely be tough. You might like my article on going teetotal or my eBook, in which I outline a vision for life that transcends alcohol.
Fast forward several years, everyone knows I don’t drink because I’m not apologetic or sheepish about it. Questions receive answers like: “I used to drink too much, so I quit” – never “I can’t drink because I’m an alcoholic” or “I wish I could drink, but I can’t.” (I don’t like the label “alcoholic” and I can’t remember the last time I secretly wanted to drink.)
I don’t spend a lot of time with very heavy drinkers anymore. I have too much to get done in my life, so I keep a close circle of friends who I vibe the best with. None of them care at all that I don’t drink; most are blown away by my transformation. When I do join the larger group, as I did recently for a friend’s birthday party, people are happy to see me and no one cares that I’m drinking club soda (actually, I brought my own kava powder and chilled out).
Re-envisioning your life this way can be done. But it requires believing that it can be done, removing association with all negative people or the worst of the old crew, figuring out who your real friends are, and making new ones if necessary. Never been a fan of “sober friends” or “sober fun” – the world should not revolve around alcohol or its absence, and my 3 best friends have been the same people for a decade or more. Good luck buddy.
A friend of mine quit drinking about 6 weeks ago do to a medical emergency. He is 70 and has been an alcoholic for 50 years. He is doing fine as far as not wanting to drink BUT, he is not in his right mind. He told me the other day he needed matching baseball caps for both of his heads. While he drank, he was very articulate and well spoken. Now he has to really think before he talks, and again, is not himself. I can’t trust him to take his medication, even though I put it in specific dates and a pill box, and then doesn’t remember things. Is there a supplement to help his memory? He thinks I am mad at him, but feel there is something medically wrong with his behavior. I’ve read numerous articles on quitting, but this seems to be taking too long.
Hi Satina, it’s possible that he has a severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency from all those years of drinking. Thiamine deficiency can result in confusion, severe memory loss, and even insanity. If I were him, I would be taking a supplement high in thiamine and other B-vitamins such as Alcohol Support, along with Legion Triumph or at the very least, a B-vitamin complex.
It can take years for the body and brain to repair itself from alcohol addiction. I met people in AA who had quit drinking 10 years ago and still suffered from memory loss, anxiety, and other preventable symptoms of PAWS. I would be a mess if I had not discovered proper supplementation. Best of luck!
Great article. I am in my early 30s, but I drank near daily for a decade plus. I am still in my first two months of recovery, but doing surprising well after a few tough weeks. I am very interested in supplements to help stabilize my mind and body. However, there are so many it can be quite confusing. I am very curious to see which 2-5 supplements you consider most important, and find yourself still taking several years into sobriety? I am mostly curious about long term supplements, not ones to aid in withdrawal. Any insight you provide would be much appreciated. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Joe! Currently the only supplement I take on an ongoing basis is called The Triangle, which is a high end nutrient system. It contains every important vitamin/mineral, omega-3 fish oil, superfood extracts, and nitric oxide, which helps me enjoy better recovery from workouts. If this product did not exist, I would take Legion Triumph and a very high quality fish oil.
At the same time, I have kept all of the supplements that I used after I quit drinking and I use most of them occasionally. Passionflower for insomnia, L-theanine for stress, DLPA if I’m feeling sluggish a few days in a row. I recently bought Calm Support to use before stressful situations or travel.
Most importantly, there’s a difference between supplements used for mood support during withdrawal and supplements that repair the brain and body yet only need to be used short-term. I honestly think that many people who quit drinking years ago would benefit enormously from 1-3 months of magnesium citrate, B vitamins, DLPA, and L-Tyrosine – to name a few. The brain does not simply repair itself after withdrawal ends, which explains why so many people who quit years ago still have mood issues, depression, and anxiety.
There are a bunch of supplements, and so there’s no easy answer – this is a subject I cover in great detail in my online course.
Best of luck to you!
Hi Chris,
I’m going to be intentionally vague about my own situation — I’m just not there yet. But, I felt the need to reach out to you and say that this information is the best thing I have ever read, considering the topic. It is hopeful, rather than total doom and judgment. From a physical and emotional standpoint of what to expect, I learned so much here. I was open to the information because of the number of times I said to myself , “Yes, yes — I totally get that!” Or, “OMG, is THAT what that was??!!” (Brain Zap. I had to Google it.)
The best part is that there is hope and that you have been selfless enough to provide the map of the road you took to get there. I had a lump in my throat a few times — you know how it is when you read something that confirms your suspicions and, at the same time, lets you know that you are not alone? Hands raised to testify. 🙂
Thank you. Thank you, Thank you. When I am ready to let out my secret, I will promptly order your book to be delivered to my home address.
Thank you Zulabug! Very glad you could relate – this kind of response is the reason I started Fit Recovery.
As for the book, I’m working on some paperback projects – but for now Drinking Sucks! is available as an eBook. I will send an email to my list when I have a hard copy out. Good luck to you!
Thank you! ❤️
I reached the point where I drank a bottle of wine every day, and occasionally somewhat more than a bottle. Both parents were alcoholics, so I was aware I was at risk. I finally said “Enough!” and quit almost three weeks ago. I was very fortunate in that I did not experience any withdrawal symptoms. I’ve already lost 7 pounds, and am taking care to eat better. I’m hoping my high blood pressure will come down, and that gut health will improve. I have not yet gone out to eat with friends since getting sober, but I told them I’d quit, so no peer pressure. (Though it would be on me, not them!) I’ve also found that changing a few habits has helped me get through the weeks, too. I’m feeling good and am proud of myself for making it this far; now to continue the good work!
That’s awesome Jennifer, keep it up!!