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Cold turkey detox

Posted , 8 users are following.

a31789
a31789

My husband has been regularly consuming alcohal since the last 12 years that I know him. He only drinks in the evenings usually a bottle of vodka ( neat )only lasts 2 days. Or whisky. He smokes a packet of cigrattes a day too.

We had a fight when I tried to help him realuze that he is an alcoholic .since he has never really missed a day.

Now that caused him to withdraw from me and he is not talking to me but he has not drank a drop since the last two days.

He seems to be suffering from symptons like feeling cold , but he will not let me help him

He is not eating well at all. Just one small meal.

I worry about him and I feel he is trying to emotionally punish me but he might be suffering more.

I do not know what to do. After reading on the internet that going cold turkey may be fatal I am at my wit's end .

Please guide me !!

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • pistal666
    pistal666 a31789

    Posted

    Do nothing, step back. He will not just drop Dead, symptoms will get much worse before he does. Tell him you care, thats why you were so passionate and it ended in an argument. Two Days without a drink is good going, but have you been with him 24/7? If he is just doing it to punnish you, let him. When you say a bottle, do you mean a ltr?
    • a31789
      a31789 pistal666

      Posted

      Yes I have been with him 24/7. He was home both days.

      He stopped smoking cold turkey too so maybe this way works for him.

    • pistal666
      pistal666 a31789

      Posted

      Being sick and not being able to even hold down water is normal, but as RHGB says, try little and often. Chocolate helps, anything dairy may cause acid but Milk is a food in itself so is good. Watch out for Hallucinations, because that is a warning sign that a seziure may be lurking, but it's unlikely after 48hrs Dry. Cold and flu symptoms, normal. But it doesent have to  be uncomfortable, if he is trying to quit rather than prove a point, I would recommend a tapers off, or just have avalible a small bottle (250ml) to take the edge off things. Keep us updated. GL

    • pistal666
      pistal666

      Posted

      *not 250ml in one go wink

       

  • RHGB
    RHGB a31789

    Posted

    Yes, he will not be feeling well, having gone cold turkey. He will feel like being left alone, because he is very unwell. After day four, he should start getting better.

    He is not rying to punish you, he realises that he has a problem and being nagged is the last thing he needs. When I have done cold turkey, I feel like I am dying and want to be left alone. Soup is good, solids are hard to eat. Drinking (fluids) little and often helps.

    • a31789
      a31789 RHGB

      Posted

      Isn't going cold turkey bad?

      Is there anything I need to keep an eye on? Like symptons where he might need help and I should intervene?

    • RHGB
      RHGB a31789

      Posted

      It is not advised for dependent drinkers, but I think he is through the worst of it. Keep an eye on him. Do not nag him, just let him know you are ready to get anything, like a drink of water, a bowl of soup or whatever. Staying in bed is the best way to beat bad cold turkey, as you feel much better lying down.

      The only time you would need to worry is he he had a fit/seizure. Third day is usually better, fourth day much better and fifth day usually back to normal.

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 RHGB

      Posted

      I agree here, not trying to punish, realisation has hit home hard and fast.  No nagging defo - will push him back into it. 
  • h1954
    h1954 a31789

    Posted

    Hi, so pleased you found this forum.  I understand your worry.  Yes, cold turkey can be dangerous even fatal, that is true.  If he experiences shakes and sweating, or any confusion or hallucinations or if he has a fit  you need to get immediate medical help.  

    It is so hard when someone doesn't accept their need for help.  All you can really do is be there for them and love them through it.

    • a31789
      a31789 h1954

      Posted

      Thank you. Yes, I am so glad I found this. I hope he is able to pass through this.

      He seems to be normal. He wasnt coming out from the room but now he is up and moving around. Which has taken a load of worry off me.

      I dont think he has had a drink..but seeing him so normal...i have to check his cupboard.

    • ADEfree
      ADEfree a31789

      Posted

      Those that stop cold turkey often relapse. Even those that use a medical detox often relapse, so don't be hard on him if this happens. Sobriety (whether by abstinence or by moderation) is a journey and it's very common indeed for people to struggle with this. You might want to have a look at this page, it covers the method I used. Alcohol doesn't bother me anymore, I don't crave it. I do have a bit a couple times a month, but nowhere near the 80+ drinks per week that I was used to (if one can get used to that). Now it takes me a month to drink what I used to drink in one day:

      https://patient.info/health/sinclair-method-for-alcohol-use-disorder

    • gerimaus
      gerimaus ADEfree

      Posted

      Regrettably, while acknowledging I have a problem with drinking, I have frequently relapsed - e.g. I spend a whole week not drinking and then overdo it for a few evenings in a row.  Thus to me, that is problem drinking, even if there are days when I drink and don't overdo it.  Problem is that now, sometimes, on the second day of not drinking, I get the tingly withdrawal symptoms, together with the shakes 12 hours after a rather large binge.

      I will try that sinclair method but I don't know if anyone in my area knows about or specialises in it .. .

    • ADEfree
      ADEfree gerimaus

      Posted

      That sounds like a binge drinking style, gerimaus. The Sinclair Method also works for that, but connecting with a medical professional would be a real help. Are you in the UK?
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