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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Brady on May 11, 2004, at 20:13:05
I am fairly young and I have been drinking, at least, a bottle of wine a night for about 4 years. I am interested in the valium, self detox, but I am terrified!!! I keep drinking because I am afraid of the withdrawals and sleeplessness. If anyone who has successfully done this, even for a short time could offer some info/advice I would appreciate it.
Posted by Tony P on May 13, 2004, at 18:50:33
In reply to I'm Scared, posted by Brady on May 11, 2004, at 20:13:05
Self-detox can be done: I've done it that way, in a treatment centre or detox house, and also white-knuckled it.
In some ways self-detox with a substitute like valium is HARDER than "cold-turkey", even though it feels a lot easier (i.e. more comfortable), because it demands more continual self-discipline (something we drinkers and other addicts usually lack!). It also takes longer; the worst of alcohol withdrawal is over in a few days for most people, whereas the progressive detox may take weeks. It is definitely more difficult than doing it in an detox or treatment centre, for similar reasons. It's also a great relief to just hand the whole problem over to someone else!
If you decide to try it yourself, here are some suggestions from my experience (these are my suggestions only, I am not a professional in this area):
1. Don't do it alone. Presumably you will be seeing a doctor once a month or more, but you also need someone who knows something about alcohol and drug addiction whom you can phone any time.
2. Make a plan (with the help of your MD or other professional) and STICK TO IT. You're going to have to almost immediately replace the alcohol with a substantial dose of Valium (but no overlap!), how much depends on the severity of your withdrawal, then gradually taper the Valium.
3. If you are on a lot of Valium (30-60 mg/day) for more than a week or two, you will almost certainly need to program a very gradual withdrawal. In a clinical or detox setting, where they can check your pulse and BP etc., they bring people down from Valium at rates of the order of 5 mg every 4-5 days; don't do this at home! My MD suggested a program which averaged out to cutting down by 1.25 mg. every week. That was especially gradual, as I'd been taking it for months. He had me cutting out 2.5 mg on alternate days for a week, then every day for a week, then another 2.5 mg on alternate days the next week, and so on. You may be able to do it faster if you start tapering within a week or so of starting, but slower is better than too fast - you'll just trigger the craving all over again.
4. The exact plan doesn't matter so much as a) going slow; b) sticking to it religiously, no matter how you feel. Think of it as though you had to take your heart medicine or antibiotic 3 x a day or whatever; just do it automatically, according to program. Taking pills based on how you're feeling at the moment is a no-no (although hard to resist) because it triggers the whole addictive mind-set all over again, and you will make it harder for yourself in the long run.
5. Keep a drug log of what you are taking, and/or get a 7x4 weekly pillbox from the drugstore to put your daily doses in. Your memory will likely be unreliable for a few weeks or longer, and the last thing you need is an overdose. A missed dose is almost as bad, because then you may experience greater anxiety and want to "top up" to get over it quickly. I have used both the pill box and the log together when detoxing.
6. DO NOT mix alcohol and Valium under any circumstances. They can be deadly in combination. You risk taking multiple doses because of memory gaps, and you don't know what your personal tolerance is until it may be too late. And it throws your whole program off course.
Oddly enough, I was just talking about some of these issues with a counsellor and also a fellow alcoholic/addict who has been studying drug interactions at university recently. I love how things often seem to happen at just the right time, when I'm open to them!
Feel free to email me at tonyp@shaw.ca if you want to discuss this off-board.
Good luck,
Tony
> I am fairly young and I have been drinking, at least, a bottle of wine a night for about 4 years. I am interested in the valium, self detox, but I am terrified!!! I keep drinking because I am afraid of the withdrawals and sleeplessness. If anyone who has successfully done this, even for a short time could offer some info/advice I would appreciate it.
Posted by Impermanence on May 13, 2004, at 22:45:07
In reply to Re: I'm Scared » Brady, posted by Tony P on May 13, 2004, at 18:50:33
I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict and my heart bleeds for you my friend..
During one of my worst withdrawals (2 liters of vodka and 12 pints of lager every day for a few months) I was in such a state I drank aftershave to kill the panic, puked my ring up and was rushed into hospital and injected with something that brought be down like a ton of bricks.
I was then givin 2mg of Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) for sleeping and 10mg of Diazepam three times daly for a week and it worked a treat (The Rohypnol knocked me out like a punch from tyson btw). The easy part is doping up on benzos for the withdrawal, the hard part is when you feel better after a week or so and the evel poison whispers in your mind "why did you give me up again ehh, why?" so be on your guard if, no WHEN you get off the shit.The fear coming off alcohol is worse than any other drug I've abused, even coming off smoking smack for a few months was a peice of cake compared to alcohol. Every day is a battle for me.
I pray you will do this Brady, believe in yourself, you have the power inside you if you really want to. I done it and so can you.I really will think of you the next time I pray.
Good Luck xxx
Posted by Caper on May 14, 2004, at 22:09:43
In reply to I'm Scared, posted by Brady on May 11, 2004, at 20:13:05
Brady,
I hope whatever I babble out makes some sense to you and is helpful. I'm in a very early stage of recovery from alcohol myself. Maybe my story will help you.
I'm 31 and have been addicted to alcohol (I started with wine too) for about a year and 4 months. It started with about a bottle a night, but within 4 or 5 months was up to four bottles, and within 9 months I was drinking as many as 6 bottles a day. I couldn't go more than three hours or so without it. (Later I had the "bright idea" to switch to vodka- cheaper, easier to conceal from my family, and didn't make me gain weight like wine did.)
I tried to taper my usage, just slowly drink less but it did not work at all. Finally I gave in and confessed to my family and mental health professionals- I just couldn't take it any longer. I was sick when I drank and sicker when I tried not to drink.
Since October of last year I've been detoxed in different places several times. Right now I've got about 2 weeks sobriety. My longest ever was 4 weeks.
Anyway, detox may not be something you want to do on your own. First of all, there can be bad medical complications, but secondly, one of the things that helps keep me sober (when I am, that is) is the fact that my family and friends KNOW now about my problem, so it makes it harder to obtain the alcohol, conceal it, and drink it without anyone noticing the effects on my personality. I hate it when I slip up and disappoint them, hate the disgust some of them show when I relapse and that's a powerful motivator. Also, you need to have someone in whom you can confide when you feel yourself "slipping"- my term for starting to crave and plan ways to get it.
My first bit of advice would be to confide in your regular doctor if you have one. If you don't, call a local community mental health service. They can give you advice on whether it is possible or advisable for you to attempt detox on your own. Be prepared though- many will not even consider giving detox medications like librium or ativan to an alcoholic, for fear you will mix them (with potentially fatal consequences).
Next, don't be afraid of going to an in-patient detox. Not only will you be monitored medically, and made a little more comfortable while your body adjusts to the lack of alcohol, but you will also get the social support of others in your situation, plus referrals to places that can help you once you are discharged. Recovery does not end at discharge- that is really just the beginning.
With all of my failed detox attempts, I hope I don't sound like a total hypocrit for giving advice. I've heard time and again that it often takes more than one detox for it to really change your habits. I'm hoping and praying this last one WAS the last for me, but I'm not pretending to have all the answers. All I can do is encourage you, tell you what I know about both "medical" and "self" detoxes, and maybe help you with your fears of detox or of admitting your problem. I just hate the thought of you getting worse.
Anyway, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers Brady and I wish you the best of luck. If you'd like detailed information on just what detox was like for me (in several places) feel free to e-mail me at Caper@playful.com I'll answer any question I can. If insurance is a problem, there are ways around that too.
Hope this helps a little. Good luck!
Caper
> I am fairly young and I have been drinking, at least, a bottle of wine a night for about 4 years. I am interested in the valium, self detox, but I am terrified!!! I keep drinking because I am afraid of the withdrawals and sleeplessness. If anyone who has successfully done this, even for a short time could offer some info/advice I would appreciate it.
Posted by catmint on May 19, 2004, at 1:19:52
In reply to Re: I'm Scared, posted by Impermanence on May 13, 2004, at 22:45:07
Impermanence,
That was an amazing post, thanks for sharing your story,YOu helped me by reading it.
Posted by Brady on May 19, 2004, at 17:41:59
In reply to I'm Scared, posted by Brady on May 11, 2004, at 20:13:05
I just wanted to say thank you to all who posted. I not only found everything extremely helpful and informative, but I also found a support for something that sometimes feels very lonely. (I know that there's many out there!) It makes me feel a lot better knowing that without even knowing any of you that there are always good people willing to help...and if that's not a reason to make sure I stick around longer...I'll find another! Thanks again. Good luck to all of you!
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