Alcohol after recovery

[[Ro...]]

Hi all,

 

I know that I am going to be lambasted by some for this. "why would you ever want to drink again?", "how could you be so insensitive as to ask an alcohol related question on a forum for drug recovery?". I totally get that, and to the offended, I do apologize.

 

In short, I had a very short run in with Benzo's. 2 weeks of use with about a month of stilnox left me with severe withdrawal symptoms for a few weeks, and also with milder symptoms for a couple months after that. Needless to say I was in deep shock and the experience turned my life upside down. I have now been off of benzos and alcohol for about 10 months and was considering having a drink (yes ONE beer, not a complete bender) at the 12 month mark. My question is not whether it is safe to have a drink this far out but rather whether any of you have had a drink after recovering from withdrawal?  I would like to know, how long you waited before having a drink, and also what the result was, regardless of whether it was a good or bad result.

 

Again, I know it could be viewed as reckless/senseless to consider having a drink again, but I always enjoyed the odd beer with friends, or a glass or 2 of wine in the summer evenings, is that a crime!? bear in mind that I did not abuse benzos, they were prescribed to me and caught me completely off guard, I never had a mental addiction to the drugs, I only suffered the physical withdrawal. Therefore I am not afraid of triggering any sort of alcohol addiction. I am more worried that drinking even one beer might aggravate my recovery and throw me right back into the thick of the physical withdrawal. Any feedback would be very greatly appreciated.  I hope that all of you are coping and happy.

 

Best wishes to all of you.

 

 

[[cl...]]

Hey Rossho,

 

I was a similar user to you, short term (28 days) with a couple weeks of severe symptoms and then mild (ish) symptoms for months after. I consider myself healed and posted a success story at about the 9 month mark, just about a year ago.

 

I have talked to several folks on this board, as well as some of the benzo withdrawal "experts" about the topic of alcohol. Alcohol is my professional life as well as a hobby of mine. I enjoy wine and craft beers quite a bit and am looking forward to these things being a normal part of my life again.

 

What everyone has told me, including the experts, is that it is very likely we will be able to consume moderate amounts of alcohol again. They also said to what awhile, a long while (like a year plus) after being symptom free to try. And when you do start, start small. Half a beer or glass of wine, wait a week, and try a slightly larger amount. Taper up pretty much.

 

I haven't jumped into really trying yet, but have had some smaller amounts without any real issues. I plan on trying again once the weather cools.

 

Good luck and be careful!

[Guest [vi...]]

in 1993 i tapered off 0.5 mg xanax after 3 years of use. i did not know much about withdrawals then -- i therefore did a one month taper under doctor's orders. the only symptom i had was exhaustion and benzo-flu after i had tapered down to 0 and i did not know why i felt so. after a month i felt fully recovered and resumed drinking (i did not feel like drinking during the benzo-flu stage). i used to drink 200 to 300 ml of whiskey back then in one sitting. it was uneventful.

 

 

[[Ch...]]

I've never been anything but a very light social drinker.  I had a long, miserable recovery from benzodiazepines yet during my taper and recovery was able to have a half glass of wine with no noticeable aftereffects.  A full glass, however, was too much for a long time.  I am now, at five years off, able to have a full glass several nights in a row without any adverse effects.

 

Everyone's going to be different on this, but the above has been my experience.  People who have been heavy drinkers in the past might find it more difficult to tolerate alcohol.  It's try-and-see (cautiously)...

[[Ma...]]

"Recovering" Alcoholic here. I say "Recovering" because i now drink every other weekend. In my past, I drank everyday for years so i know the alcohol withdrawal game way tooooo welllll....

 

Can an alcoholic ever drink again? Can someone whos experienced Alcohol Withdrawal ever drink again? Its all individual. 

 

 

I personally binge drink to the point of wasted every other weekend and feel like shit monday and tuesday, Withdrawals? Nah. Hangover for days? Yes!!!

 

Now if i personally drank everyday for weeks and quit, id prob die from withdrawals cause of my history, but limiting it to every other weekend, Im fine.

 

You'll have to find out for yourself mate, good luck!