it can take you a very short time or a week or more....it is just your body adjusting to no alcohol....and one thing to do is go to the MD and ask for liver enzyme panel to be drawn as sometimes those go wonky....I am sober 21yrs now but just a month ago my liver enzymes went wonky and I redid blood work last week or two ago....but little did doctor tell me she just checked for hepatitis and I do not think she repeated the liver enzymes at all....I do not have Hep and am happy but I knew that....if I did it would be because I was in contact with someone with it....not from needles or sex either one....
she also said two months ago my calcium level was elevated but this second test showed it back to normal....she attributed my changes to sudden weight gain of about 10-15lbs.....

Withdrawals like that, & health issues in general, is a good reminder of why we need to keep up the good work of trying to Quit..
It is so hard; but scary health problems are harder. We have to stay strong

Hi NJ,
It can be a few days. It's rough, but it is worth it!!! Keep trying. You are off to a good start!!!

Hi there, when I do my Monday to Thursday routine which is not alcohol free but I have two small glasses of wine early evening so by the time I go to bed it has worked through me and starting to leave my body. But during the day I feel heavy headed and woozy due to the alcohol not being present. The same thing happens on the 2nd day but on the third and fourth it has gone and I notice although I am sleepy due to lack of alcohol (which makes me sleep) I actually feel strangely good and more energy. Then at the weekend I cock it up. That is my goal to do the same at the weekend (but walk around like a zombie I suppose). Stick with it, and think that your organs are thanking you.

GwenY- you sound like me. I'm going to try to do day 3. It's been a long time since I could make it 3 days. I have sleep issues without it too, I'm always tired without it, or tired bc I'm hungover. I can't just do 2 drinks. I drink til I pass out. I need to do this today!!

Hi All, I FINALLY made my day 1, reading this would explain why I awakened during the night in a sweat huh??? NJgirl, please do day 3!!!! I'm drinking a ton of water, it helps me to have something in my hand to replace the can, sad but true. I'm hoping it's flushing my body also...

I was a psych/detox RN for 10 yrs. The worst of the withdrawal should take 3-5 days. Can you go to your Dr's office to get your blood pressure/heart rate taken? It's very important to be aware of tremors/shakiness. If that occurs, get to the ER or PCP. In the meantime, like Boomer said, drink loads of water to flush the alcohol and when you get cravings, eat a piece of candy or something with chocolate in it. Millions of people have detoxed from alcohol. You can do this. How about finding an AA meeting? Whatever you decide, best wishes to you going forward. Hugs, Dianna

Boomer, thank you for your reply. I sometimes feel like I'm the only one struggling for a day 1. I waitress at upscale place part time and today the boss is out. Kitchen guys got alcohol and gave it to me. It's my fault and my disease. I'm in no place where I can say no yet. So here I'm back to day one tomorrow- I hate myself in these moments, like a failure. Anyone relate? A stupid liquid can control me?!??

That flabbergasted me too NYgirl. Alcohol was definitely the boss when I was drinking I was also awakened when I was told it was MY hand pouring the booze down my throat every day. Funny how I blamed everyone else but never looked in my mirror to see the real offender.

Don't give up, NJ! We can all relate to false starts. Don't beat yourself up over it. It's not you, it is the disease. Keep trying, and get outside help if you can't do it alone. Hang in there!!

My sister Jokes: Quitting Smoking is easy, I do it all the time! I laugh, & say the same about drinking. But no more jokes. My sister stopped smoking, & I'm Quitting drinking. Let's do this NJ!

The further you go, the easier it gets. Hang in there! I promise it gets easier. Keep posting. These people can and will help you through it! Sly

The liquid alcohol IS a drug. My body was dependent upon having this drug put in it. They say that the receptors of alcohol in the body are identical to those for Heroin. That's the AAAAhhh feeling when the first drink is taken, or even when the body knows that the "hit" of alcohol is coming...

I found to quit I had to work on the HALT program. Don't get Hungry, Angry, lonely, or Tired. All of these caused me to crave a drink because they flared up the receptors in my body that wanted the drug, alcohol.

It is possible as all of us have had days 1,2,3 etc. drink lots of water and for me I only was able to find it possible if I leaned on other alcoholics and had some people to talk to when the cravings were bad. I never could get sober until I realized I was in trouble and needed help. That was the push that kept me going.

After a week or so the body starts to adjust and after some more time the body starts to thrive. Now I sleep, and wake up ready for the day

Not every day is sunshine and roses but at least I'm sober

1-2

I made day 2 !!! NJgirl, looks like we are "very close" on this, let's do it! I need you and EVERYONE here so much!!!! I sit here and cry just thinking about how I/we have allowed this "liquid" to control us/me! I just can't believe or understand how I have allowed it, I left my x husband because he was extremely violent but yet I have allowed THIS to control me, REALLY??? what was I thinking (or not)???? I/we are better than this, it's tough but we can do it, I need you ALL! I'm making myself eat more too, I figure that will also "up" my body to feel better. I can honestly say the past 2 mornings have felt really darn good, not waking up with a hangover is very nice..... and today is a new day!!! Don't get down, stay with me here, you/I are not failures, we are better than this!!!

None of you are failures - you all have guts and determination otherwise you would not be on DS sharing. You are all lovely people and a pleasure to know. G.