1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Alcohol Consumption

Tapering off, and withdrawal questions....

Posted , 11 users are following.

Pinkfloyd
Pinkfloyd

Hi all, I'm new to this particular forum and thought I would introduce myself. I've posted a few times in the Sertraline section but I've recently reached a kind of breaking point with my drinking. 

A bit of backgroung first. I've been drinking every night for about 3-4 years (not great with dates). It started off as a bottle of wine a night, then a load of beer, then not so much, then more, then not so much and... You know how it goes.

Recently (in the last week) I've cut it down to 4 little bottles of beer per night (330ml, 5% stuff). I've tried to taper off before, with little success, but this time after seeing a counsellor and really exploring why I drink I feel better equipped mentally to follow through with this idea. 

My problem is this... Obviously the thought of the potential withdrawal is paralysingly frightening (as it has been for most of you, I'm guessing), and because of my severe anxiety I am super aware of every little thing my body feels. It's hard for me to distinguish between anxiety symptoms, and withdrawal symptoms. For example: shakiness, headaches, confusion and general 'out of it' feelings... 

I don't want to just say to myself 'oh it's just anxiety, I have nothing to worry about' (WHICH IS WHAT IVE BEEN TRAINING MY MIND TO DO) if the symptoms COULD be signs of severe withdrawal. Has anyone on here ever dealt with this combination of things? 

I don't really know what I was hoping to accomplish from this post (my minds a little scrambled right now). I think I just need this forum as a distraction and for some hope right now. 

3 likes, 44 replies

44 Replies

Next
  • joel66
    joel66 Pinkfloyd

    Posted

    Hey Pink, Im new here as well! Let me tell you that I too have serious anxiety, I'm a worry wart about everything. 

    Do you have tremors? I have anxiety but my hands and body don't flap like an alcoholic having withdrawl. Youtube search "Alcohol Withdrawl Tremors" you'll see exactly what they are talking about. If you notice anything likke that happening contact a hospital, or if youre really concerned im positive that there is a government funded detox somewhere in your Country, which will HAPPILY take you through those few days for a safe detox to get your right! Cheers!! Happy you're quitting.

    • Pinkfloyd
      Pinkfloyd joel66

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply joel. It's always good to.hear from someone else who suffers with anxiety.

      I wouldn't say I have tremors as such, I haven't watched the video yet though. There is a slight trembling in my hands but nothing major. I've always had unsteady hands anyway haha.

      Unfortunately I'm.not good at taking pills and.i can't afford to take time off work.

      Hope you're doing okay bud.

    • laura08496
      laura08496 Pinkfloyd

      Posted

      i couldn't tell you much about withdrawls. but i can tell you i've seen many others go through it. it must be very confusing not knowing if its anxiety or what. and you are working!? thats amazing. shine on you crazy diamond. i hope people here can help you and give you some kind of relief with their expiriences and advice. one thing i can tell you. you are going in the right direction. good luck and god bless!
  • Robin2015
    Robin2015 Pinkfloyd

    Posted

    LOVE YOUR NAME!! Wish I had thought of it!! Joel replies really well and I will join him and agree that these are worring times and DO see your GP if you have the courage to be 100% honest and perhaps take medication IF you feel really really bad and stressed about it. I have no experience in medication since I never took any when I stopped but most people her have lots of experience and can give much better advice than myself. I also think that you are controlling your drinking much better and that is great. I wait to hear what your plans are but more people will reply later today when they wake up! Best of luck from Robin
    • rachel24065
      rachel24065 Robin2015

      Posted

      Hi Robin,

      I am also trying to stop without medication and am interested on how you did it and how long it took? So far I have cut out vodka and am just drinking wine. My plan is to have 3 glasses of wine (3 x 187ml bottles) per night this week then reduce by 1 the following weeks until I'm down to none. Do you think this is achievable? I never really get DT's, maybe once in a blue moon, and when I've stopped before for 3-4 days I've felt fine, it was just the craving kicked in. Any advice would be appreciated!

      Regards

    • Pinkfloyd
      Pinkfloyd Robin2015

      Posted

      Hi Robin. I have mentioned my drinking to my doctors several times over the last 4 months, and I was pretty honest with them (always have been). Their advice was simply to cut down. So surely they wouldn't have said that if they felt I was in danger of the more serious withdrawals? I don't know.

      I think a lot of it is my anxiety exacerbating the withdrawal symptoms, as they are kinda interchangeable. Especially since I have panic disorder, I get physical symptoms all the time.

      Thanks for.your reply Robin, hope you're doing well smile

    • RHGB
      RHGB Pinkfloyd

      Posted

      'So surely they wouldn't have said that if they felt I was in danger of the more serious withdrawals?'

      GPs don't have much interest in people with alcohol problems, they see it as a lack of willpower rather than a disease. So don't take it as read that because your GP has dimissed it, that he has analysed you for withdrawal risk.

      However, you are drinking about 2.5 pints a night, which should not cause you any problems.

      Be aware that SSRIs can add to alcohol issues, conversely, they actually help some reduce their drinking. It really depends on the gene type.

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 rachel24065

      Posted

      Great reply for certain and I just stopped from one day to another since i was drinking pure vodka non stop and an accident or health problem starting soon..had hit rock bottom!! Had too much to live for and stopped 31st Dec 2012 and none since then...best of luck and you have a GREAT plan since off vodka and down to very little wine....you can do it!! Robin
  • ADEfree
    ADEfree Pinkfloyd

    Posted

    How much were you drinking before, Pinkfloyd?
    • Pinkfloyd
      Pinkfloyd ADEfree

      Posted

      Hi mate. For the last year it has varied between 3 and 5 pints of 4/5% lager every night. Not a huuuge amount but still... I'm now on day 4 of my taper (having 3 little bottles tonight).

      Tomorrow and the next day it will. be 2 bottles, then 1, then none.

    • ADEfree
      ADEfree Pinkfloyd

      Posted

      So, taking the high number and assuming 4% ABV, that would be about 80 UK units of alcohol per week or about 56 US units. 5% ABV would be another 25% on top of those numbers. 

      You might be taking it down a bit fast, maybe start dropping a half pint every other day. When you've tapered in the past and gone back to drinking, did you end up drinking more than before?

      How long have you been taking the Sertraline, btw? 

       

    • RHGB
      RHGB ADEfree

      Posted

      A bit less than that. UK 63 units, assuming 4.5% beer and an avg of four pints a night.
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 RHGB

      Posted

      Blimy,that's only 6 bottles of wine,nothing really
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree RHGB

      Posted

      That's probably a more likely number, RHGB. I was assuming 5 per night of 4%. 
    • RHGB
      RHGB nicole36330

      Posted

      Not for a hardened seasoned drinker like yourself, no.  razz
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 RHGB

      Posted

      I was at one point drinking 20 to 30 units a daysad
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330

      Posted

      Every day,I do sometimes still drink 20 units but usually only 10 now
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 ADEfree

      Posted

      Yes ADE,religiously but still drinking to much but less than before
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree nicole36330

      Posted

      Cool. Stick with it, you'll get there. 

      Are you working the mindful aspect? I'm 17 weeks in and going between 2.5 - 4 per night. Having a sip then keeping it out of my hand (better yet, out of sight) really helps me stretch them out. 

    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 ADEfree

      Posted

      Trouble with me is I start in the day,stop for a while then start again later on
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 ADEfree

      Posted

      I'm taking Nalmefene and the guidelines are just one a day
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree nicole36330

      Posted

      Do you find yourself drinking 12 hours after the first pill? 
    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd nicole36330

      Posted

      Nicole,

      Please chase up when you can expect your counselling to start, as that will help you get the best out of the medication, and help you better set goals that are achievable and help you reach those goals.

      It is much better for you to work towards ensuring that you are not exceeding that 12 hour period, which from your previous posts on the forum, I don't believe you are anyway, right?

      And you are correct - guidelines are just one tablet a day.  If you feel you need to change this in any way, please refer back to the prescibing physician.

    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 RHGB

      Posted

      I've been taking Nalmefene for 6 weeks now
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree nicole36330

      Posted

      As Joanna says, do your best to shy away from that and make sure it gets into your diary so you can coordinate with your healthcare team to adjust if needs be. 

      You're still early in yet, don't be taken aback by the fluctuation in your numbers, that happens more often than not. I'd say well done and keep it up, Nicole!

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.