Alcoholism Support Group

Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.

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deleted_user 06/30/2011

I have a dear friend at work whose wife is an active alcoholic. Shes been drinking heavily for 4-5 years and over a quart of vodka per day. Shes been in and out of AA, in and out of 30-day treatment centers (3) and even drinks on Antabuse with no ill effect.

In the last 4 days she has once again detoxed and gone through horrid withdrawals so shes been without a drink for 4 days now. In the last 2 days shes been sleeping very poorly (normal) but having nightmares while shes awake. She saying that shes seeing people, floating TVs, shooting beams, and now is seeing the devil and hearing him through the voice of her husband.

I have no help to offer because my ex never had any psychotic episodes. Does anyone have any idea what might be happening? Thanks so much, as always.

deleted_user 06/30/2011

You don't mention if the wife is in a detox unit or under the care of a physician, but I hope it's one or the other.

I was in a rehab facility when I was detoxing and getting sober, and I recall having hallucinations during the first couple of days without alcohol. It isn't all that unusual, but medical supervision would be a good idea.

deleted_user 06/30/2011

Sounds like she is suffering from visual hallucinations which I used to get in withdrawal, auditory hallucinations as well. Does she get those? If this lady has gone through severe DTs like this, I hope she has been under medical supervision? A seizure can kill. Hopefully she and her husband are aware of this and will see the doctor as soon as possible for a physical check, if they haven't before.

deleted_user 06/30/2011

My ex also had DTs while detoxing but that was within the first 48 hours. This is going on 4 days now for her and the shaking, sweating and nausea has stopped but these auditory and visual hallucinations have just BEGUH on day 3 and shes never had them before. Shes now scheduled a confession with a priest hoping to keep the evil spirits away.

She is under a doctors care but she detoxes so often (every 3-4 weeks) that they no longer call the doctor.

deleted_user 06/30/2011

That sounds a little strange that the doctor is no longer called.. but then I'm not a doctor!

deleted_user 06/30/2011

Sounds like a part of the detox. I felt that way when I was detoxing. I hope she is under the care of a physician otherwise, what she is doing is very unsafe. She can have a seizure anytime and could die.

bambusue 06/30/2011

Alcohol and benzos are the only two classes of drugs that can kill a person during withdrawal. When I was in treatment, 2 patients were taken out to another floor for intensive care, and one didn't make it.
Just because they've done this before doesn't mean it doesn't warrant medical supervision, as this stuff is serious.

deleted_user 07/01/2011

If I were living with someone in the same situation, I'd call 911....for her safety and my own. We have a local hospital that has both an addiction treatment unit and a psychiatric unit, and if this husband has a similar facility in his area, it might be a good idea to have medical responders get her to it.

Their situation has serious dangers built into it.

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