Posted by Tony P on May 13, 2004, at 18:50:33
In reply to I'm Scared, posted by Brady on May 11, 2004, at 20:13:05
Self-detox can be done: I've done it that way, in a treatment centre or detox house, and also white-knuckled it.
In some ways self-detox with a substitute like valium is HARDER than "cold-turkey", even though it feels a lot easier (i.e. more comfortable), because it demands more continual self-discipline (something we drinkers and other addicts usually lack!). It also takes longer; the worst of alcohol withdrawal is over in a few days for most people, whereas the progressive detox may take weeks. It is definitely more difficult than doing it in an detox or treatment centre, for similar reasons. It's also a great relief to just hand the whole problem over to someone else!
If you decide to try it yourself, here are some suggestions from my experience (these are my suggestions only, I am not a professional in this area):
1. Don't do it alone. Presumably you will be seeing a doctor once a month or more, but you also need someone who knows something about alcohol and drug addiction whom you can phone any time.
2. Make a plan (with the help of your MD or other professional) and STICK TO IT. You're going to have to almost immediately replace the alcohol with a substantial dose of Valium (but no overlap!), how much depends on the severity of your withdrawal, then gradually taper the Valium.
3. If you are on a lot of Valium (30-60 mg/day) for more than a week or two, you will almost certainly need to program a very gradual withdrawal. In a clinical or detox setting, where they can check your pulse and BP etc., they bring people down from Valium at rates of the order of 5 mg every 4-5 days; don't do this at home! My MD suggested a program which averaged out to cutting down by 1.25 mg. every week. That was especially gradual, as I'd been taking it for months. He had me cutting out 2.5 mg on alternate days for a week, then every day for a week, then another 2.5 mg on alternate days the next week, and so on. You may be able to do it faster if you start tapering within a week or so of starting, but slower is better than too fast - you'll just trigger the craving all over again.
4. The exact plan doesn't matter so much as a) going slow; b) sticking to it religiously, no matter how you feel. Think of it as though you had to take your heart medicine or antibiotic 3 x a day or whatever; just do it automatically, according to program. Taking pills based on how you're feeling at the moment is a no-no (although hard to resist) because it triggers the whole addictive mind-set all over again, and you will make it harder for yourself in the long run.
5. Keep a drug log of what you are taking, and/or get a 7x4 weekly pillbox from the drugstore to put your daily doses in. Your memory will likely be unreliable for a few weeks or longer, and the last thing you need is an overdose. A missed dose is almost as bad, because then you may experience greater anxiety and want to "top up" to get over it quickly. I have used both the pill box and the log together when detoxing.
6. DO NOT mix alcohol and Valium under any circumstances. They can be deadly in combination. You risk taking multiple doses because of memory gaps, and you don't know what your personal tolerance is until it may be too late. And it throws your whole program off course.
Oddly enough, I was just talking about some of these issues with a counsellor and also a fellow alcoholic/addict who has been studying drug interactions at university recently. I love how things often seem to happen at just the right time, when I'm open to them!
Feel free to email me at tonyp@shaw.ca if you want to discuss this off-board.
Good luck,
Tony
> I am fairly young and I have been drinking, at least, a bottle of wine a night for about 4 years. I am interested in the valium, self detox, but I am terrified!!! I keep drinking because I am afraid of the withdrawals and sleeplessness. If anyone who has successfully done this, even for a short time could offer some info/advice I would appreciate it.
poster:Tony P
thread:345912
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040409/msgs/346566.html