What happens if you drink alcohol in W/D (asking for a friend) 😜

[[Su...]]

I'm a little over six weeks post jump, in about a months time one of my best friends is planning on throwing a party. Although I've got a lot of anxiety about going out at the moment I want to try an attend. What would happen if I had say one wine, will it send me back to square one recovery wise. I'm not desperate for a drink and have no desire whatsoever to get drunk, but am genuinely curious how damaging a very small amount of alcohol would be. Has anyone else tested these waters???

[[Do...]]

The results are varied, but for most people, it ends up setting off withdrawal symptoms.  For some, this increase in symptoms only lasts for a day or two, for others, they have been sent back into a state worse than their acute withdrawal, which in rare cases has lasted for a couple of months.  A small percentage can tolerate it without issue.  General consensus is, if you are still having ANY symptoms, you really want to avoid alcohol; although some people do seem to tolerate it, it is generally not worth the risk.

[Guest [ba...]]

I think it has a lot to do with how you're currently doing.  If you're largely finished with the withdrawal symptoms, you might do OK with a drink.  If you're still shaking, sweating, cramping, moody, etcetera, then it may not go so well.  I was (just) able to handle a single drink at the three month mark.

 

You might want to try a quarter glass of wine ahead of time to see how you do.  If that goes OK, try a half glass.

[[Re...]]

I was not long past my jump and had a little wine........OMG.  I was at a friend's birthday party and had just had a whisper of wine for a toast.  Honestly, It wasn't more than 6-8 hours later and Bam!!!  The symptoms went through the roof and lasted at that intensity for about 7 or 8 days before they diminished a little bit.  I am sure it affected me for a while thereafter.  I really don't think you need tempt it unless you had an uneventful taper and have been symptom free the whole time.  If you do decide to have a drink, try what was suggested previously and do a little test at least several days before the party.

 

-RST

[[so...]]

Sunshine,

 

Alcohol downregulates gaba receptors.  We are trying to get them to upregulate.  Alcohol works on the same receptors in the same way as benzos.  Anyone on this forum who tells you otherwise is wrong.  There is no excuse for members to be ignorant with all the information available on this forum.  For you to even consider drinking, you are probably not suffering to the degree many of us are.

 

The choice is yours.  Many people on here cannot leave their beds or their houses, let alone attend a party where drinking will be involved.  If abstaining from alcohol is your biggest dilemma, you are very lucky.

 

Sofa

[[Ch...]]

I was able to have a half glass of wine on a rare occasion (never tried more) during my taper and after I jumped.  After a couple of years I tried a full glass and had some issues with panic/anxiety, which I never had otherwise, so I attributed it to the wine.

 

A couple of years later and I am able to have a full glass of wine now without issue, though I still don't drink very often.

[[bl...]]

Is a bit of booze really worth it

[[Su...]]

Thanks for your replies. I am still getting withdrawal symptoms, visual problems, anxiety, depression, GI issues, fatigue to name a few. I'm going to take your advice and not drink, the last thing I want to do is bring on a worse wave. Not even sure if I'll be up to attending, but I hope I can for an hour or so at least. I guess I'll just wait and see how I am. I hate having my life put on hold like this, but what can I do. Everyone says just give it time

[Guest [ba...]]

Is a bit of booze really worth it

 

In my case, yes.  I stopped taking benzos to get my life back.  That life included occasional social drinking.

[[Re...]]

Please avoid alcohol like the plague! Before I was educated about benzo withdrawal I drank several times. It caused horrible setbacks. It sucks to have to refrain from enjoyable activities but it is worth it.

[[mi...]]

I never stopped having 1-3 beers most nights and I am healing.  I also drink more soda than ever because it's one of the few things I crave with my taste-buds being so out of whack and my appetite trashed. I can't say that I haven't delayed my recovery but I can say that at 10 months off I am getting better. I read this forum a few times a week and it seems that we all heal differently and different things affect us more and less....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[[Gr...]]

My old psychiatrist told me to drink some wine instead of take a xanax when I was tapering down to get pregnant.  What a gem.  I did drink during that taper and I didn't notice anything worse but I truly was not aware of the effects of tapering at the time. 

[[pi...]]

My old psychiatrist told me to drink some wine instead of take a xanax when I was tapering down to get pregnant.  What a gem.  I did drink during that taper and I didn't notice anything worse but I truly was not aware of the effects of tapering at the time.

 

Wow, that psych is a keeper.

 

I tried a "sip", thats right, just a sip and whamo....party time in my head. That cost me a 1 week window where I felt normal and put me into a wave of bad psych sxs. I was so angry. But its the same with caffeine for me unfortunately. Ive heard others say its okay for them though. To address the question, if your the type who likes gambling and russian roulette sounds fun then yeah .....maybe. Otherwise dont poke the bear would be my advice. Good luck 

[[...]]

I have drunk alcohol in moderation all through my taper and post taper, and have come to no harm.  It relaxes me - I tend to be a light drinker and wouldn't have more than a couple of glasses of wine.

[[Co...]]

Sunshine,

 

Alcohol downregulates gaba receptors.  We are trying to get them to upregulate.  Alcohol works on the same receptors in the same way as benzos.  Anyone on this forum who tells you otherwise is wrong.  There is no excuse for members to be ignorant with all the information available on this forum.  For you to even consider drinking, you are probably not suffering to the degree many of us are.

 

The choice is yours.  Many people on here cannot leave their beds or their houses, let alone attend a party where drinking will be involved.  If abstaining from alcohol is your biggest dilemma, you are very lucky.

 

Sofa

 

Well said.

[[am...]]

I drank throughout my taper with no ill effects. Please dont tell me that I wasn't that sick, cause I was. It really messes with some and doesn't seem to effect others. I think it depends how often you drank before you got really sick too.

[[pu...]]

I drank and it threw me right back into the hella of withdrawal. I lost it and regret it to this day.

[[Ro...]]

If you are six weeks out with persistent symptoms I would recommend that you do not have that drink. Remember alcohol will shut down your GABA receptors which is the opposite of what you are currently trying to do. It may or may not affect you negatively, but to add an opinion I would say not a chance. I know thats not what you want to hear.... sorry 

[[jx...]]

I've been drinking quite a bit of alcohol lately and it's not making my withdrawal worse.

[[gi...]]

Having alcohol during benzo withdrawal is like robbing sandpaper on an open wound.  Absolutely no alcohol.  Avoid it at all cost.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is naive.

[[Go...]]

Having alcohol during benzo withdrawal is like robbing sandpaper on an open wound.  Absolutely no alcohol.  Avoid it at all cost.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is naive.

 

Agree with Ginger... No upside, unlimited downside if you are in withdraw.

[[Re...]]

Well, like others have said, it's kind of like Russian roulette.  Each of us has our own idiosyncrasies in respect of how benzos, supplements, diet and other gabba / glutamate influencing substances affect us.  I had some drinks ONCE and I regretted it for the following 4 weeks.  It was a horrible decision I regret having made.  That's just me.  I don't know if that will be your story too, but why risk it? 

[[pu...]]

Worst wave of your life and actual physical pain.

 

 

[[Su...]]

Just update, Im absolutely completely avoiding alcohol untill Im well and truely over withdrawal and symptom free, 1 year, 2 years however long it lasts. I didnt go to that friends get together anyway because I was feeling unwell (as I am most days). It'll be nice to have my life back and be able to do normal things, but for now Ive got some serious healing to do.

[[in...]]

i drank a few times in wd (didn’t know i shouldn’t), nothing happened. and the last time i drank some wine it sent me into acute like stage...