Brand new. Just signed up today. Not sure how I'm going to get through withdrawal
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Hi Lisa! Welcome
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Hi Lisa! Congratulations on today! You got this! I’m 7 years sober and I began with the help of my provider. He prescribed Campral. It helps with withdrawal. Worked for me very well. Best wishes and much love on your journey.
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By withdrawal if you mean the DTs ?
I never had those. Probably because I was a binge drinker. I’d go several days regularly without alcohol and then succumb to a bender. So it wasn’t an everyday physical craving with me, I had them, but I’d deny myself to try to prove I wasn’t addicted.
As far as the constant cravings I’d consume a lot of caffeine and sugar. I reasoned it was better than drinking alcohol, but still a crutch. I had to give up caffeine 3 years ago because of a heart issue, but I still have sugar cravings in that I consume large quantities of chocolate. Now I’m overweight. I guess short term it’s ok to replace your addiction with sweets and caffeine, but beware. It’s another trap that’s detrimental to your health. I try to drink a lot of liquids, just try to make them non sugary and non caffeine.
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Medical detox may be necessary for alcohol or benzos.
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Are you currently withdrawing for the first time after significant amount of time drinking? Can I please urge you to seek medical assistance? If you can get yourself to google detoxes near you, please do so. If you have decent insurance, many will come get you. If not, go to your local hospital to dry out under supervision.
At the very least, please do not do this alone and make sure someone is around in case things take a turn for the worse.
Thinking of you and routing for you!
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Omar speaks the truth
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Hot showers are the best
Be careful!!!! If you don’t feel right, go to the ER. It all depends how much you drink. Withdrawal almost killed me. I had major brain swelling.
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Be prepared before they start. If you’ve already stopped using/drinking and you’re going to do this at home make an Uber Eats order.
Gatorade, Imodium, pepto, easy snack etc. Things that you won’t want to get up and get when it hits. If you seek medical help, be honest with them so they’ll know what you need. There are medications to limit the withdrawals, and Zofran for nausea. Avoid places where alcohol is available.
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Hi Lisa, I have 10 years of sobriety. Please read Omar's words written. They are 100% correct! I needed medical assistance and I've been sober since. 
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Hi Lisa, proud of you for asking for help! Please consider involving a professional whether in/out patient, ER, Urgent Care, General Provider. It can be done discretely if that’s what your situation requires but it’s so much safer to have someone watching over you physically. Withdrawal symptoms and complications look different in all of us, and can be quit severe. Personally I have been told to look out for tremors all the way to seizures.
You’re in the right mindset! And I’m cheering you on.
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I finally got the courage to talk with my doctor and she gave me prescription that really really helped. Some people do need supervision for a period of time depending on several things and I went in to my appointment ready to be told I needed to go to a clinic if need be. For me, what was my alternative? Keep living as I was, which I had honestly faced meant continue slowly declining. Going to my doctor was the best move I have made. It DOES get better! You CAN do it!
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Hi Lisa,
I’ve had five withdrawals and every time I felt so horrible. I went to the local hospital’s emergency department. One withdrawal at the VA hospital.
The doctors all said that it’s a good thing I did for my safety. I was given an IV for hydration and to administer drugs. I was given Phenobarbital and Zofran. They also gave me some thiamine (B1) and Potassium. Severe withdrawals can deplete your electrolytes which are very important for your heart.
Every time I went I was not judged and treated very well while I felt a lot of guilt and shame. One RN told me to give myself some mercy.
Please don’t hesitate to go if you don’t feel safe.
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It’s so different for everybody. But listen to your body and be prepared. You can do it.
I strongly recommend you go to the Emergency Room and tell them you have stopped drinking alcohol and are worried about seizures or DTs. They will give you medicine that makes you feel more relaxed and you won’t get that anxious jittery feeling.
Don’t try to detox on your own as you could have a seizure. Best to have it done in a hospital or detox center.
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Epsom salt baths can help. If you are really hurt up I'd consider medical detox to make sure you don't have any seizures. When I decided to stop drinking and benzos I also had to stop coffee because all my nerves were ramping up and caffeine or any stimulant just makes it worse. You got this and when you get passed the worst part you will feel amazing.
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For me, sincere distraction is the only way.
Walk, meditation (get good meditation music!), Guitar, watch sports, play video games, call sometime for no reason, get hooked on a book... I would have to just throw myself into something without thinking and then I realized I wasn't thinking about alcohol in that moment. The moments keep coming but hopefully they'll eventually be very minimal if I retrain my brain.
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withdrawls i faced: 2 fifth daily whiskey, 24/7 heroin for a decade, followed in the end years adding meth, coke in 40cc whiskey instead of water...i was terrified of the withdrawls incoming...but i was truly at my end: physically, spiritually and mentally.
this is what carried me thru withdrawls: desperation to change (aa, steps...basically stuff unknown to me then), vigorous exercise, violent video games, tons of social activities, MAX HEALTHY FOOD, guitar, vaping as a hobby (started brewing my own juice, tapering nicotine), addressing medical/health damage of the past, HELPING OTHERS/volunteering/talking to anyone of belonging to the fellowship. these formed the core of my first two years. work and restored family came next.
practicals:
heroin withdrawls - cook in the sun, suffer hot baths...force the suffering of overheating...then pamper in the cold to sleep (use cotton for plugging ears if directly in AC to minimize weakening of immunity). obtain cotton/hemp/bamboo sheets/cloths and avoid anything polyester (burns more to the touch). rotating these will quickly reduce the fever/hot flashing.
meth withdrawl - depleted seretonin/dopamine banks love nothing more than sun (vitamin D), omega 3s/good fatty foods (fish), sleep and stimulating activities.
alcohol DT: most DT pains stems from heavy digestive tract/organ damages. slippery elm tea, cbd, vox nomica are all excellent in restoring digestion/gaining appetite. douse in probiotics regular. stomach will crave fizzy things in pairing with food (avoid bad soda, but good stuff like keifer grain sodas/kombucha (beware brands with small % alcohol).
i am 5 years sober later living an absolutely wild dream beyond fantasy with no signs of withdrawl or major past damage. if i stay steady to program every day, and i intend to...ill be 6 years this december. stay strong, be brave, honest and willing, you will triumph and one day look back at withdrawl as a notch on the belt.
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Please 
get medical help, courage to change the the things you can and the wisdom to know the difference.
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