My husband had a seizure today after quitting drinking cold turkey
My husband was inspired to stop drinking because I quit drinking. I admit I have had a few setbacks, so I need a badge reset... but I want to post this for awareness. He suffered a seizure that was over a minute long and turned blue at one point. It was the most terrifying experience of my life. I don't know much about seizures, and was fully prepared to administer cpr. He went to the ER and got all the necessary scans and blood work done. He had elevated liver enzymes and was extremely dehydrated. He got an IV of fluids and Ativan. He did not stay overnight- that was suggested, but he has some Ativan pills to take at home. I just wanted to post this because it was one of the absolute scariest few minutes of my life. He could've been driving, or walking, and he could've died as a result. He drank almost an equivalent of a fifth of vodka a day . I actually work so much I did not know he was going cold turkey - he said he wanted to cut back, but I didn't know that he was just planning on suddenly stopping. as soon as he became conscious, I was aware of why this happened thanks to this sub. He was still out of it and I explained to the doctor why I thought he had a seizure. I want to thank everyone for their stories and their support. The dangers of quitting cold are very real. If you want to stop drinking, PLEASE see a doctor and do it safely. I just wanted to post this to warn everyone of the very real dangers of detoxing. I thought my husband might die right before my eyes. Do not be ashamed to admit you have a problem and seek help on how to do this safely.
Posted Mar 21, 2017, 3:05 AM UTC
I wish I could upvote this more. It needs to be right up as one of the top posts so people can see how easily they could die from withdrawals.
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Benzos. Another legal (but not otc) drug which can kill you from withdrawal
And start of withdrawal can take a while. Scary shit.
And will prevent the seizures of alcohol withdrawal
And yet, compared to tobacco, alcohol is still taxed relatively lightly, has much freer advertising restrictions, etc.
How and why we tolerate this as a society, I haven't yet understood.
I have found that it is important for me to both understand that I have a problem, and that alcohol in a lot of ways is an integral part of a healthy social culture. I remind myself of both of these things to try and avoid becoming jaded about the situation. If I remind myself that this problem is my own, and it's not that everybody else is necessarily brain washed, but just like to have a good time and can control themselves better than I can, it helps put things into perspective without hating everybody and everything due to my own faults.
Except I really wonder about that.
Alcohol, in causing us to lose our inhibitions, not only causes the fun kinds of effects from light consumption, but can also cause people to be much more likely to beat their partners (or children..), drive in ways that puts everyone else near them on the roads at risk, and over time, excessive consumption damages key bodily functions.
In addition, the withdrawal effects can also be deadly.
Tobacco causes less problems in this context, and yet it is much more tightly taxed and regulated, so when I compare these two, I do not understand why, given the above, that alcohol is not taxed, regulated, and socially discouraged just as much.
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We tried not tolerating alcohol before - it was called Prohibition. Really, really bad idea. It brought about organized crime and NASCAR.
Nowhere in my post did I suggest re-implementing prohibition.
I'm trying to understand why a vice that causes so much death and illness isn't restricted to exactly the same level as tobacco, which, for instance, does not cause drunk driving.
And then we continued another prohibition that's just now starting to end...
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One of the big reasons I'm scared to quit. The cumulative hangover will literally kill me.
It's NOT a bad hangover, it's a fucking grand-mal seizure. And it could fucking kill you!
I sort of blame the media and education system for this. Everybody knows that quitting opiates cold turkey can be an extremely painful process. But it's not dangerous, the detox process won't directly kill you. For some reason, alcohol withdrawal isn't talked about as much despite it being more dangerous.
Alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening and it doesn't matter how much you drink per day, you should consult a professional and find a regimen to avoid complications.
I think you're right, I was 48, BA and MA, well-read etc ..., and I had no idea what was going on--I lived by the Grace of God, but had no idea that withdraw from alcohol could kill me. It still amazes me how booze is looked upon in our society--look at Sessions, the new attorney general--"Pot is as bad as heroin," while he's knocking back a couple of bourbons. Sorry if I seem angry, been spend too much time on r/politics, need a little r/awwwww...good luck to you.
I'm aware, hence the scared. That was an archer reference
I see your Archer reference ;)
for real, though, it's worth it if you get help detoxing and/or tapering off. just don't quit cold turkey by yourself. delirium tremens is a monster.
Go to the doctor if you can. They'll guide you through tapering safely.
I had the same fears. It is one of the reasons I went to a hospital detox. I'm thankful I did as many medical problems including seizures popped up. For me I felt that if I was drinking enough to have physical withdrawals then I needed further treatment.
I went to a rehab and found a program and a fellowship. It has saved my life. So has SD. If I hadn't seen posts like this one I may have never gotten it right.
I won't drink with you today!
Congrats on your control! I'll be seeking doc help soon, I don't want to quit just to learn how to moderate. However, that requires cutting the dependency first and bunch of other mental stuff I'm working up to. I just fear I'm nearly fucked beyond help in some areas and I don't want to hear a doctor say it. Probably just anxiety, but the struggle is real