I'm Attempting Cold Turkey Off Alcohol, Any Advice?

[cj3]

Long story short: Thought I was doing good, completely hit Rock Bottom, now skipping straight to the final step....God I hope I know what I'm doing

[Spider2024]

Did you try the patch? If so, how did that go?

My father smoked for 30+ years until he was forced to stop temporarily when he needed to stay in a retirement home for a few months for medical reasons (the home doubled as a rehabilitation home for seniors recovering from surgeries) so he went from 2 packs a day to 0. They gave him some sort of nicotine medicine every day so that he wouldn't even want a cigarette. When he fully recovered and came back home, he decided he wanted to quit the cigs entirely. He did the 3-part patch program where you buy the box of patches that have the number 1 on them, then the number 2 box, then the number 3 and that's supposed to gradually eliminate your nicotine cravings.

Now he did have to do about 5 or 6 of the 3 boxes because he still needed the nicotine, but eventually he no longer wanted or needed any nicotine fix at all. And he never mentions wanted a cigarette even once, it's like ancient history.

[cj3]

Jan 7, 2023 19:53:48 GMT -5 Spider2024 said:

Did you try the patch? If so, how did that go?

My father smoked for 30+ years until he was forced to stop temporarily when he needed to stay in a retirement home for a few months for medical reasons (the home doubled as a rehabilitation home for seniors recovering from surgeries) so he went from 2 packs a day to 0. They gave him some sort of nicotine medicine every day so that he wouldn't even want a cigarette. When he fully recovered and came back home, he decided he wanted to quit the cigs entirely. He did the 3-part patch program where you buy the box of patches that have the number 1 on them, then the number 2 box, then the number 3 and that's supposed to gradually eliminate your nicotine cravings.

Now he did have to do about 5 or 6 of the 3 boxes because he still needed the nicotine, but eventually he no longer wanted or needed any nicotine fix at all. And he never mentions wanted a cigarette even once, it's like ancient history.

I fixed the title and apologize for not being specific, but thank you for sharing your story

[Feyrhausen]

Jan 7, 2023 19:39:04 GMT -5 cj3 said:

Long story short: Thought I was doing good, completely hit Rock Bottom, now skipping straight to the final step....God I hope I know what I'm doing

How much did you drink? Are you physically dependent on alcohol? You could be looking at some very harmful withdrawal.

That was my problem. I wanted to quit but the physical addiction was too strong. It took me a hospital detox to get me off safely.

[Spider2024]

Good luck. Alcohol can be a real bitch, needless to say.

[Fade]

Jan 7, 2023 20:08:29 GMT -5 Feyrhausen said:

Jan 7, 2023 19:39:04 GMT -5 cj3 said:

Long story short: Thought I was doing good, completely hit Rock Bottom, now skipping straight to the final step....God I hope I know what I'm doing

How much did you drink? Are you physically dependent on alcohol? You could be looking at some very harmful withdrawal.

That was my problem. I wanted to quit but the physical addiction was too strong. It took me a hospital detox to get me off safely.

Sigh..yeah. If you have a doctor or means to hospital..I’d definitely touch base with them if you could, pal, otherwise..

Shit’s going to be rough. And you know that. But in the worst moments, know you’re better off without it. I know it took me a couple of months (like, 3-4..) before it, and the lack of it, left my mind and body so-to-speak.

Exercise. Movies. New ventures, hobbies, literally anything pal. I never went to AA but it works wonders for so many, so, look up if there are any near you maybe?..

Take it a day at a time. You should be proud that you’re at this point friend. If you have anyone around you, talk, update them on how you’re feeling. It is a poison. I knew that before I drank, during my college days, and when I got excessive. It’s widely accepted, used and promoted but that doesn’t change its poison. I’m not judging (I still smoke cigarettes) but it’s a fact.

And, and I truly believe this with all individuals, you are the best you Sober, bud. Know that.

If you ever want to vent, or whatever, feel free to PM. And good luck.

[Feyrhausen]

Jan 7, 2023 20:27:41 GMT -5 Fade said:

Jan 7, 2023 20:08:29 GMT -5 Feyrhausen said:

How much did you drink? Are you physically dependent on alcohol? You could be looking at some very harmful withdrawal.

That was my problem. I wanted to quit but the physical addiction was too strong. It took me a hospital detox to get me off safely.

Sigh..yeah. If you have a doctor or means to hospital..I’d definitely touch base with them if you could, pal, otherwise..

Shit’s going to be rough. And you know that. But in the worst moments, know you’re better off without it. I know it took me a couple of months (like, 3-4..) before it, and the lack of it, left my mind and body so-to-speak.

Exercise. Movies. New ventures, hobbies, literally anything pal. I never went to AA but it works wonders for so many, so, look up if there are any near you maybe?..

Take it a day at a time. You should be proud that you’re at this point friend. If you have anyone around you, talk, update them on how you’re feeling. It is a poison. I knew that before I drank, during my college days, and when I got excessive. It’s widely accepted, used and promoted but that doesn’t change its poison. I’m not judging (I still smoke cigarettes) but it’s a fact.

And, and I truly believe this with all individuals, you are the best you Sober, bud. Know that.

If you ever want to vent, or whatever, feel free to PM. And good luck.

Also remember its not easy but it can be done. I was drinking a half gallon of whiskey a day. Now 7 years without a drink.

[Fade]

Jan 7, 2023 20:32:01 GMT -5 Feyrhausen said:

Jan 7, 2023 20:27:41 GMT -5 Fade said:

Sigh..yeah. If you have a doctor or means to hospital..I’d definitely touch base with them if you could, pal, otherwise..

Shit’s going to be rough. And you know that. But in the worst moments, know you’re better off without it. I know it took me a couple of months (like, 3-4..) before it, and the lack of it, left my mind and body so-to-speak.

Exercise. Movies. New ventures, hobbies, literally anything pal. I never went to AA but it works wonders for so many, so, look up if there are any near you maybe?..

Take it a day at a time. You should be proud that you’re at this point friend. If you have anyone around you, talk, update them on how you’re feeling. It is a poison. I knew that before I drank, during my college days, and when I got excessive. It’s widely accepted, used and promoted but that doesn’t change its poison. I’m not judging (I still smoke cigarettes) but it’s a fact.

And, and I truly believe this with all individuals, you are the best you Sober, bud. Know that.

If you ever want to vent, or whatever, feel free to PM. And good luck.

Also remember its not easy but it can be done. I was drinking a half gallon of whiskey a day. Now 7 years without a drink.

Just passed 5 years, myself. I was doing the same. It absolutely can be done OP.

[KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!!]

Definitely consult a physician before you go cold turkey. Depending on your level of addiction you could end up seriously harming yourself if you just stop. Just one possibility that I know of is a life altering seizure so you don’t want to open yourself up to such risks.

Don’t let consulting a physician put you off quitting either. Just prioritize meeting with one as soon as possible. If you’re embarrassed to reach out remember that you already hit what you considered your rock bottom. The good thing is you can only go up.

Other than that I’m glad you made this decision if you believe it’s right for you. Hopefully you have a support system but if not hopefully posters keep giving words of encouragement Stay strong

[Urethra Franklin]

I would never say I had a drinking problem per se, but I drank more than I should have.

The day before my birthday, I decided that I was gonna quit drinking for a year. So I just stopped. I would drink soda water when I went out to bars with friends or occasionally have a non-alcoholic beer.

That was nearly nine years ago now. I’m really thankful I decided to do that because I think I’ve benefitted greatly from it, to say nothing of the money you save.

Obviously, I don’t know what your situation is like in terms of health (please consult a doctor if you think you need to first), but it can be done.

Best of luck going forward and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Take it a day at a time.

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Have you consulted a physician first? If you've built up a dependency then going cold turkey could be very dangerous to your health.

[tirtefaa]

Jan 7, 2023 23:46:24 GMT -5 KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! said:

Definitely consult a physician before you go cold turkey. Depending on your level of addiction you could end up seriously harming yourself if you just stop. Just one possibility that I know of is a life altering seizure so you don’t want to open yourself up to such risks.

Isn't this how Kevin Nash's son died?

Yeah, quitting cold turkey can be problematic due to dependency. Definitely don't make this decision without consulting first.

[Alice Syndrome]

Addiction displacement. Find something else to occupy your brain.

Either something like learning to cook, or drinking something healthier, even knitting or something.

Trent Reznor basically managed to quit heroin by getting addicted to weightlifting, which evidently worked.

[Triangle Lancer]

Jan 8, 2023 11:27:04 GMT -5 Alice Syndrome said:

Addiction displacement. Find something else to occupy your brain.

Either something like learning to cook, or drinking something healthier, even knitting or something.

Trent Reznor basically managed to quit heroin by getting addicted to weightlifting, which evidently worked.

This right here. It works.