Does all alcoholics have withdrawals if they go cold turkey?

Posted by tiredcat @tiredcat, Jan 18 1:22am

My friend, an alcoholic 30y. because of blood clot issues, his Dr. Requested that he stop drinking. He stopped Cold Turkey. It’s been 7days without alcohol. My question: why hasn’t he had any withdrawal symptoms? I read it’s very dangerous to ColdTurkey,. Symptoms can be severe. All I’ve noticed, he gets angry easily. Can they still happen?

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coachdavid | @coachdavid | Jan 18 6:01am

Not all alcohol using individuals will have a physical withdrawal syndrome. Most will experience Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), which one can Google for signs and symptoms of the syndrome. ☮️

gratefulbob | @gratefulbob | Jan 18 12:39pm

I didn't but some people do and it can be dangerous. It took several times for me to completely give up alcohol. I went both cold turkey and did a tapering schedule by drinking a single beer gradually every 12 hours until I could sleep without needing it. Eventually I got sick of hangovers and gave it up entirely. Now I can sleep well and actually have dreams again. When I used alcohol it would knock me out but I never dreamed. I feel astonishingly better after giving up alcohol completely.

adailagonzalez | @adailagonzalez | Jan 18 5:37pm

The first few days of withdraw is when he would be a the greatest risk of DTs and seizures. Afterwards it’s less likely. Anger is a typical response to withdrawal and not drinking. He would be helped if he went to some form of group therapy or 12 Step program that Sal with alcohol abuse.

tiredcat | @tiredcat | Jan 19 11:48pm

Thanks for your answer! Getting him into therapy.

minipika | @minipika | Sep 4 5:06pm

Going through the hell of watching a loved one suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder. Won't accept help from family or doctors. Fell and is in hospital for a bleeding head injury. Wants to leave ama, we can't affect their behavior at all. My question is: are there any ONLINE support groups I could vent to? I am older, still working, and a caregiver for my elderly parent, also. I really don't have the ability to go to groups in person. Thank You! I just need somewhere to vent. It's a loss, as you know, so so so painful.

ziggypop | @ziggypop | Sep 5 8:24am

Hi tiredcat, the answer is it depends. If he does not have the shakes and halucinations good for him.
Quitting is easy. Staying stopped is the hard part.

I know it's cliche' but AA for him, alanon for you is the best things you both can do.

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