Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery

[kent]

Here's a little more info - this time regarding Delirium Tremens (DT's). This condition came to mind when ex SIL told my he was "drinking" and "smoking" but had nothing in his hand - just the imaginary drink and imaginary cigarette - sigh!

From: www.cordingleyneurology.com/deliriumtremens.html

Delirium Tremens (DTs):
The Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
from Hell

Gary E Cordingley, MD, PhD

Most people have heard of DTs, but how many really know what they are? This is definitely a condition you'd rather read about than discover the hard way.

Imagine that you're walking along a city sidewalk. You round a corner and suddenly—there in front of you—is a giant grizzly bear. What happens next? You get an adrenaline rush, your heart races, your blood pressure shoots up, you shake like a leaf, your pupils get large as saucers, your hairs stand on end, you break into a sweat, and you run like heck. Do you have a strong mental picture of this? Good. Hold that thought; we'll come back to it.

Delirium tremens, also known as the DTs, is the most serious.....

[kent]

For those "lurking" and not participating in the discussion, or for those that might be in denial.....

This begs the question of who has alcohol dependence in the first place. More than one set of yardsticks exist, but the "CAGE" questionnaire provides a simple and effective screen in which the letters of the word correspond to each of four questions:

C – Have you ever felt you should CUT down on your drinking?
A – Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking?
G – Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about your drinking?
E – Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get
rid of a hangover (EYE-opener)?

A "yes" answer to one of the four questions raises the possibility of alcohol dependence. A "yes" answer to two of the questions makes alcohol dependence likely, and help should be requested.

From the site previously posted: www.cordingleyneurology.com/deliriumtremens.html

[diamonds]

kent: Reading your story about your ex-BIL made me so sad. I am so sorry to hear that anyone could end up that bad. I had a British neighbor who was a dear friend to me for 6 years. He had detoxed in England at 30.000 pounds, 3 separate times and was dry for 10 years when I met him. He was a joy to be around and shared wonderful stories. He ended up in Bangkok as he was a millionaire and travelled the world. He always kept in touch, but his calls started sounded crazy. He was hospitalized every week there and told me his brain was shrinking and would sob. I didn't know what to say, but it was obvious he was drinking as he went bar hopping all night. He stopped eating. I knew right then and there what he was doing and he finally admitted it. He didn't last long after that. I miss him dearly to this day.

[roygrip]

Oct 3, 2011 10:20:03 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

I really think alcoholism is more of a physically problem than anything else.
What I find odd, with the few I know who have a drinking problem, is that while drinking they claim to not want to eat sweets, but when they go on the wagon they can't stop eating them.
Does anyone else find this to be true?

Alcoholism is BOTH mental! and physical!

I've been in recovery for over 10 yrs. Many, many other recovering alcoholics (like myself, suffered from low self eswteem. Alcohol (liquid courage) boosted my ability to cope. The medical position is also in agreement with BOTH mental and physical. The alcoholic cannot stop for both reasons.

Now the sugar issue. ALCOHOL IS PURE SUGAR! If your drinking, guess what you don't want candy..... Stop, you want candy. Very simple

[jemima]

Sugar is a very addictive poison.

[diamonds]

kent: Yes, we have seen the DT's in the movie Ray, when he was going through heroin withdrawal. Yes, my neighbor told me shocking stories now he would wake up, throw up, have a cup of tea and continue throughout the day and then the pub thing after work. Sometimes, he would walk to the liquor store and buy a bottle and by the time he got home, it was empty. It actually stunned me. I only drank lightly after my divorce, just to fit in, but one night I drank a whole bottle of liquer while talking on the phone and when I went to lay down, the louvered closet doors were spinning. I had one foot on the floor and that was enough for me. Ack, I can't stand the taste or smell of liquor and haven't had a drink in 20 years. I don't need to "fit in".

[kent]

Oct 3, 2011 12:37:03 GMT -5 diamonds said:

kent: Reading your story about your ex-BIL made me so sad. I am so sorry to hear that anyone could end up that bad.

Thanks. Although it is truly sad, the fact that it's self-inflicted can't be overlooked. He spent his entire adult life in an alcoholic haze doing the absolute minimum to sustain himself financially and now she's going to be (heck, already is) in deep doo doo.

[diamonds]

Oct 3, 2011 12:49:12 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Oct 3, 2011 10:20:03 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

I really think alcoholism is more of a physically problem than anything else.
What I find odd, with the few I know who have a drinking problem, is that while drinking they claim to not want to eat sweets, but when they go on the wagon they can't stop eating them.
Does anyone else find this to be true?

Alcoholism is BOTH mental! and physical!

I've been in recovery for over 10 yrs. Many, many other recovering alcoholics (like myself, suffered from low self eswteem. Alcohol (liquid courage) boosted my ability to cope. The medical position is also in agreement with BOTH mental and physical. The alcoholic cannot stop for both reasons.

Now the sugar issue. ALCOHOL IS PURE SUGAR! If your drinking, guess what you don't want candy..... Stop, you want candy. Very simple

Hey roy: Great post and that is obvious about the sugar. I had a roomate who drank all night after work, only ate salads and packed the pounds on. I understand it's a horrible vicious cycle to break and I can see that it is both physical and mental.

[roygrip]

Kent towards the end of my drinking, I had just lost both parents within 3 months, badly to cancer. I really dove into the bottle at that point, consuming in excess of a quart of 100proof vodka a day for several months. On several occasions I suffered the delirium tremens. Shakes, convulsions, seeing things, not able to sit up or hold anything down, cold or hot sweats. aweful, don't ever want to experience that again.

[kent]

[quote author=roygrip board=mentalhealth thread=14065 post=598696 time=1317664152[/quote]

Alcoholism is BOTH mental! and physical!

I've been in recovery for over 10 yrs. Many, many other recovering alcoholics (like myself, suffered from low self eswteem. Alcohol (liquid courage) boosted my ability to cope. The medical position is also in agreement with BOTH mental and physical. The alcoholic cannot stop for both reasons.

Now the sugar issue. ALCOHOL IS PURE SUGAR! If your drinking, guess what you don't want candy..... Stop, you want candy. Very simple [/quote]

Roy, I guess I can't argue against the fact that mental issues can serve as contributing factors to the disease so BOTH mental and physical problems seem likely to be correct and reasonable.

[roygrip]

Oct 3, 2011 12:56:31 GMT -5 kent said:

Oct 3, 2011 12:37:03 GMT -5 diamonds said:

kent: Reading your story about your ex-BIL made me so sad. I am so sorry to hear that anyone could end up that bad.

Thanks. Although it is truly sad, the fact that it's self-inflicted can't be overlooked. He spent his entire adult life in an alcoholic haze doing the absolute minimum to sustain himself financially and now she's going to be (heck, already is) in deep doo doo.

We continually seek a lower level. Alcohol is but the symptom, we are the problem.
When I stopped drinking/using, that was but the first step, then the work began, in my case thru 12 step, learning the reasons (the mental part) of why I drank/used. This is why alcoholism/drug addiction is now accepted as a disease. If it was just physical, then just stop.

I wish him the best and prayers.

[kent]

Oct 3, 2011 13:04:10 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Kent towards the end of my drinking, I had just lost both parents within 3 months, badly to cancer. I really dove into the bottle at that point, consuming in excess of a quart of 100proof vodka a day for several months. On several occasions I suffered the delirium tremens. Shakes, convulsions, seeing things, not able to sit up or hold anything down, cold or hot sweats. aweful, don't ever want to experience that again.

Roy, I'm so sorry you had to go through the loss of both parent's in such a short time period and to such a horrible disease (I'm a survivor of that particular one myself). All of that trauma, coupled with the follow up of drinking to excess had to be extremely difficult - you've done well and I, along with others here, applaud you for taking control away from the beast!

ETA And thank you for your wishes and prayers on his behalf.

[roygrip]

Oct 3, 2011 13:06:44 GMT -5 kent said:

Oct 3, 2011 12:49:12 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Alcoholism is BOTH mental! and physical!

I've been in recovery for over 10 yrs. Many, many other recovering alcoholics (like myself, suffered from low self eswteem. Alcohol (liquid courage) boosted my ability to cope. The medical position is also in agreement with BOTH mental and physical. The alcoholic cannot stop for both reasons.

Now the sugar issue. ALCOHOL IS PURE SUGAR! If your drinking, guess what you don't want candy..... Stop, you want candy. Very simple

Roy, I guess I can't argue against the fact that mental issues can serve as contributing factors to the disease so BOTH mental and physical problems seem likely to be correct and reasonable.

Thanks my friend. In 12 step, we're taught, alcohol/drugs, is but the syptom, we're the problem. Either an underlying prob. (my case can be taken back to low self esteem issues) Alcohol empowered me at first, then it took over and I had anything BUT power, LOL, (the disease). So just quitting helped, but thru counseling and 12 step work, I accepted myself and moved foward.

I appreciate all your time and effort here

ETA: Repaired damaged markup. - Virgil (Mod)

[roygrip]

Oct 3, 2011 13:12:11 GMT -5 kent said:

Oct 3, 2011 13:04:10 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Kent towards the end of my drinking, I had just lost both parents within 3 months, badly to cancer. I really dove into the bottle at that point, consuming in excess of a quart of 100proof vodka a day for several months. On several occasions I suffered the delirium tremens. Shakes, convulsions, seeing things, not able to sit up or hold anything down, cold or hot sweats. aweful, don't ever want to experience that again.

Roy, I'm so sorry you had to go through the loss of both parent's in such a short time period and to such a horrible disease (I'm a survivor of that particular one myself). All of that trauma, coupled with the follow up of drinking to excess had to be extremely difficult - you've done well and I, along with others here, applaud you for taking control away from the beast!

I appreciate that Kent. It was not easy, but the rewards have been incredible. I'm happy and content, two things that were lacking, that I was seeking. Again I appreciate your input, and Bless you and yours.



<modified by moon in an attempt to fix the wonky formatting>

[diamonds]

>>>I wish him the best and prayers. <<<

Well, years ago when I was married, there was a stigma to admitting ones problems. At least we have broken that glass ceiling about every issue on the table. And why not? Whatever skeletons in your closet, and you want to stop the madness, there is support now which is the key.
roy: a big k to you and a hug for your understanding and sharing....

[roygrip]

It was a stigma. Hey what happened here?

[roygrip]

Oct 3, 2011 13:12:11 GMT -5 kent said:

Oct 3, 2011 13:04:10 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Kent towards the end of my drinking, I had just lost both parents within 3 months, badly to cancer. I really dove into the bottle at that point, consuming in excess of a quart of 100proof vodka a day for several months. On several occasions I suffered the delirium tremens. Shakes, convulsions, seeing things, not able to sit up or hold anything down, cold or hot sweats. aweful, don't ever want to experience that again.

Roy, I'm so sorry you had to go through the loss of both parent's in such a short time period and to such a horrible disease (I'm a survivor of that particular one myself). All of that trauma, coupled with the follow up of drinking to excess had to be extremely difficult - you've done well and I, along with others here, applaud you for taking control away from the beast!

ETA And thank you for your wishes and prayers on his behalf.

Why does the forum look funny now??

[kent]

Why does the forum look funny now??

I was wondering the same thing and I haven't had a drink LOL

[Virgil Showlion]

It's the new "smooshed" look.

Hang on...

[moon/Laura]

I edited one post of roy's (#139) but not sure if that was it or something virgil did.. since i see he is messing too

[Virgil Showlion]

The problem was damaged markup in #138. Fixed now.

[diamonds]

Oct 3, 2011 14:09:51 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, Moon and Virg.

Thanks Wiggy: I thought my computer was crashing and had my calculator out to see if I could afford a new one.... ;D

Kudos to Virgil for his overall computer programming knowledge and he looks nothing like Steven Hawkings...well, I hope not anyway.

[diamonds]

** Just referring to the EE casting call, what a hoot that was!** ;D

[diamonds]

>>>When DH announced the news about his father last night (see the cancer thread) since I wasn't drinking, I feel was able to really be there for him.>>>

Wiggy: Aw, I am so sorry, I have gone through the same nightmares with my parents and I was a tough outspoken cookie. I confronted the doctors and told them to lay off and stop the testing as my dear father was not a guinea pig. Seeing our parents suffer is the worst of the worst. I had to have my wits about me as my mother literallly fell apart. Stay strong....

[diamonds]

lone, Yes, I agree with you, between the antibiotics and my severe cravings for sweets I have the bloated stomach also. Where I live, they are big wine drinkers and most of the women are overweight and have a distended stomach. Isn't there mold and sugar in alchohol? Seems the doctors would make their patients aware of this. Right now, I'm depending on accupuncture to help strengthen my immune system.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

Isn't there mold and sugar in alchohol?

It depends on whether it's brewed or distilled. If it is distilled (liquor), the process will remove any impurities. However, alcohol is a carbohydrate the body will treat as sugar. When wine is made, chemicals are added to kill off any mold or "wild" strains of yeast. The vintner will then add a pure sample of exactly which strain or yeast they want to use. In beer brewing, everything gets boiled so there's no need for chemicals and the yeast is added after it cools off.

[kent]

Oct 3, 2011 14:27:07 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Diamond, "Steven Hawkings..."

Kent, thank you so much for sharing your current personal experience in addition to the medical information. Interesting about the sugar, yeast and alcohol correlation. Since stopping, I've noticed a change already in my abdomen and sleep patterns.

When DH announced the news about his father last night (see the cancer thread) since I wasn't drinking, I feel was able to really be there for him.

You're welcome Iggy if anything I share helps someone, I've hit a home run!

It felt good to be there 100% for your husband, didnt it? We're all proud of you, keep up the good work!

[kent]

Oct 3, 2011 16:09:44 GMT -5 Mad Dawg Wiccan said:

Isn't there mold and sugar in alchohol?

However, alcohol is a carbohydrate the body will treat as sugar.

And it blows right past the blood-brain barrier.

[roygrip]

Oct 3, 2011 14:20:18 GMT -5 diamonds said:

Oct 3, 2011 14:09:51 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, Moon and Virg.

Thanks Wiggy: I thought my computer was crashing and had my calculator out to see if I could afford a new one.... ;D

Kudos to Virgil for his overall computer programming knowledge and he looks nothing like Steven Hawkings...well, I hope not anyway.

LOL! And I was saying "Dang this new computer" Thanks Virg and Moon!

[roygrip]

Oct 3, 2011 14:56:04 GMT -5 diamonds said:

lone, Yes, I agree with you, between the antibiotics and my severe cravings for sweets I have the bloated stomach also. Where I live, they are big wine drinkers and most of the women are overweight and have a distended stomach. Isn't there mold and sugar in alchohol? Seems the doctors would make their patients aware of this. Right now, I'm depending on accupuncture to help strengthen my immune system.

Alcohol is PURE SUGAR!