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What is the worst day of alcohol withdrawal after stopping cold turkey?

I stopped drinking 3 days ago. I drank pretty much every night for 5 years. I decided to stop cold turkey after a particularly bad night.

I feel like ****, the only thing I've been able to "eat" is protein powder mixed with water, my hands are trembling, I have hot and cold flashes, severe anxiety, fast heart rate, pretty nasty insomnia and a slight fever.

I was just wondering if anyone else has done this and when the affects start to decline. I'm willing to do pretty much anything except start drinking again, and have a doctors appointment in 4 days, which will be one week from when I took my last drink. That's the earliest I could get in and can't afford the ER.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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20884447 tn?1565173770
This is different for every person. It really depends on how long a person has been drinking and how much they drink on a regular basis. For example, a person that’s been heavily drinking for 30 years may have a longer withdrawal experience than someone who has been binge drinking on the weekends throughout their four years of college. In either case, withdrawal from alcohol can be extremely dangerous. And, people have even died from the effects of withdrawing from alcohol. So, if you’re attempting to quit drinking on your own, think again. Get the help you need through a detox facility. This way, you can be medically monitored to ensure your safety while experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.
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Avatar universal
It usually takes 7 days for the withdrawal symptoms to subside. The symptoms usually start to lessen after 3-5 days. Taking Benzodiazepines will lessen the shakes and anxiety that goes with going `cold turkey." It can be quite dangerous to go `cold turkey," id highly recommend not to. You should really see your Dr or go to your local hospital emergency clinic to have treatment with benzodiazepines such as Librium or Valium, other medications and vitamins. The benzos will lessen any risks associated from alcohol withdrawal and greatly reduce the tremors and anxiety you are experiencing. I wish you good luck and I hope that you manage to abstain from alcohol in the future. Let me know how you get on with it. I know its tough from personal experience.
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1 Comments
Older thread but good advice.  How are you Seamus1983?  
5204799 tn?1365456784
hello....because this was an older question.....from what i understand how this forum works..it may be advantageous for you to start a new thread of your own to ask your question as i will get more attention that way and thus more answers to help you.
just go to "post a question" and ask again. that way more folks will see you and be able to help you! i hope you feel better soon!
Paige
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Avatar universal
I just got out of detox after three days. Did fine, now I am experinceing internal shakes, vision problems, dizziness,  and palpitations.   Looking g for advice.
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495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
Please get into the doctor and tell him what is going on.  WD'ing from alcohol can be very dangerous.        sara
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Avatar universal
Hey I want first to congradulate you on your decision. I drank for  many many years. I got sober many times also.  I think my most comfortable alcohol withdrawal was when I went to detox for 3-4 days then directly into rehab for at least 30 days. That approach is about as successful as the urgent care or doc with a SMALL script for the first 3-4 days of whatever they give now maybe valium.  But if you already have several days I would head to the first A.A meeting you can get to. then 2-3 A.A meetings a day. Have you ever been to a meeting?
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Avatar universal
i dont know much about alcohol withdrawal, but it really does sound like you should go to urgent care sooner than later. good luck
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917008 tn?1251223979
Although Ga Guy is quite right about benzo w/d's, you really need a short-term (Valium) tapering run on this drug or Klonopin. It's standard OP, especially for the first 72hrs -- most folks are out of seizure territory at this point.

The reason I'm advocating (short-term and as prescribed) Valium is that it will take the edge off the whole mess, including w/d's and straighten out your sleep a bit for now. Usually, sleep issues can last quite a while, but you can get something else, e.g., Imovane or Ambien short-term and then melatonin and any herbal stuff that works.

You should really get to your dr. or a clinic Friday -- I know about the agony you're going through.

Good luck.
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222369 tn?1274474635
Is there any way you can get into an urgent care doctor tomorrow? Depending on your consumption, you're at a very high risk of certain heart problems as well as seizures from the withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal isn't life threatening, but alcohol and benzo withdrawal is. Please, try and get to a doctor ASAP. There's meds they can put you on short term to make the withdrawal less dangerous.
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495284 tn?1333894042
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