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Detox Alone with Librium, risks?

Posted , 6 users are following.

stephen52709
stephen52709

Hey, I recently saw my doctor in regards to being dependent on alcohol and wanting to stop, I'd heard not to stop without seeing the doctor first. My consumption is usually evenings (or days at weekends), maybe 150-180 units a week on average but it really varies and occassionally the day off usually due to a hang over or wanting to try and take a break.

The doctor has perscribed Librium 5mg and given me a plan which starts taking 3 in the morning, lunch, 'tea' and night time and over a period of 12 days reducing until on that last day I take one just at night. I had told him my family were going to support me and supervise me.

Afterwards my family did not want to do this due to their own reasons which means I'll be alone and unsupervised when doing the detox (They said they will visit often). I really want to go through with this but was hoping to get a second opinion on any risks to doing this alone - I can't say I've experienced withdrawel to any severe degree, no shakes etc but I haven't stopped for more than 2 days in the past.

Thanks in advance!

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • candis33631
    candis33631 stephen52709

    Posted

    Oh stephen I am definitly an alcoholic.  Been one since I was 15 years old.  I was put on antabuse when I was 22 by my mom and dad instead of treatment alot died on it 100 xs.  I am 54 now and still struggle.  I do get long periods of not drinking and releaspe.  This relaspse has lasted a longer period but I am getting back on track.  Been going to AA for 23 years.  It has been good and bad.  Bad if you are an abused child cause alot of people took advantage of my weakness.  I have been raped, stranguled, and lost alot of money from con people but all in all I am still better off going to aa.

     

  • haggis1966
    haggis1966 stephen52709

    Posted

    Hi Stephen

    I went through librium detox at home over 8 days. Starting on 3 tablets reducing down to one on day 8. Started detox 1st March completed 8th March - no side effects other than fatigue. I am ssh o was given high potency vitamin b & c injections over 5 days by nurse at home or clinic.

    The first day of detox the two nurses arrived at my house to carry out blood pressure check, breathalise me (you can have your l a st alcoholic drink night before) then leave me medication and loads of documentation on detox, diet, sleep etc.

    Th e y left me with enough g h Librium for that day, thiamine, vitamin b complex, and a drug called CAMPRAL. This drug helps with cravings and it works !

    I saw a poster in a doc surgery for an nhs alcohol and drug referral organization. It was self referral so I called, got an appointment and went along to meet two specialist nurses.

    I'm now 24 days after detox and feel good, no cravings thanks to campral. Ask GP to refer you to detox or discuss campral following self detox.

    You can do this detox yourself it would be better is you had support. I've d o n e it secretly without anyone knowing and I'm married! Drunks are such sneaky people,! I'm here and you will find others supportive here, just do it log on when you need help. Do it Stephen it's early day's for me but I feel good.

    • stephen52709
      stephen52709 haggis1966

      Posted

      Hi haggis

      It's good to hear you are 24 days in and feeling good and the cravings are gone. I'm 11 days in myself now, no longer need the Librium I don't think but I will have to take one more 5mg pill (Doctors orders).

      I'm taking it one day at a time, still get a craving from time to time, but do something else to take my mind off it.

      Thanks

  • stephen52709
    stephen52709

    Posted

    Hey. I've been inspired to post since viewing Sue's thread just recently about a 2 day slip up. I'm afraid not long after my detox and 2 weeks sobriety at one point I felt I had conquered alcoholism (naive due to age) and took that first drink. I've been drinking for the last 2 - 3 weeks, with the occassional day off and realise I'm back in the same situation.

    When I do take a day off without medication, I find it terribly difficult to sleep which interferes with work, but drinking also interferes with work - so it's a catch 22.

    I plan to attend a meeting tomorrow, the guys local have been asking about me, so yeah just an update. Wanna get this sorted out! Some words of encouragement could be good?

    The thing is, I cannot do another detox the same way, I will lose my job if I do that again. Not sure if I need it after a couple of weeks?

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 stephen52709

      Posted

      Consider Nalmefene. Google 'The Sinclair Method' and see how it works. Watch the video 'One Little Pill' which you can purchase online from Vimeo.

      Don't kid yourself about the sleep issue. Alcohol causes sleep disturbance, although it appears that the reason you are currently struggling to sleep on days off from alcohol is that you are suffering withdrawal symptoms. If you are off alcohol for long enough, your sleep pattern will improve greatly.

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