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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AMD on June 25, 2012, at 5:47:11
I've recently entered a rehab program after almost ten years of weekend (once-a-week) alcohol and cocaine abuse.
Over the past few days I've started having some anxiety over my general health: heart, brain, nose, etc. I continue to have some night sweats, and I've felt generally poor.
I have upcoming appointments with my general physician and with an eye doctor but could use some general support or feedback on how likely it is my body will start feeling better and my mind (in particular) clearer. Will I be feeling this cruddy forever now? I want my clear thoughts back -- which generally did come back even in my most recent binges.
Thanks in advance for any words of support.
amd
Posted by AMD on June 25, 2012, at 5:48:33
In reply to Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis, posted by AMD on June 25, 2012, at 5:47:11
Perhaps one symptom of said mental cloudiness is the number of times I managed to use "general" in the posting above!
Posted by PartlyCloudy on June 25, 2012, at 7:24:02
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis, posted by AMD on June 25, 2012, at 5:48:33
Congratulations on seeking treatment. Depending on the length and intensity of use, you can expect withdrawal and feeling crummy for anywhere from a month to a year (!) if you were a heavy user.
Don't pass up medical support if you find physical cravings are an issue. It can be as critical as any group therapy or one on one counseling.
Good luck, and know you are not alone.
PartlyCloudy
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2012, at 10:05:37
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis » AMD, posted by PartlyCloudy on June 25, 2012, at 7:24:02
Amd once a week usage shouldn't take that long to feel better from. If it truly was once a week. Based on my experience working in a rehab unit in psych. Usually the patients felt well rather quickly. The supportive enviornment truly helps. And there depending on the type of facility you are going to should provide any meds to help detox. For the alchohol since you mentioned that you clear rather quickly from once a week use I'd think the same amount of time would apply in rehab. l0 years isn't that long. And I watched miracles with some once they stopped using. In some cases low doses of lithium was given and it exerted a very calming effect on the person. I'd think the biggest challenge would be once you leave the facility maintaining the sobriety. Do you have any psychiatric diagnosis other than your weekly one day of abuse? Phillipa
Posted by Hugh on June 25, 2012, at 12:20:15
In reply to Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis, posted by AMD on June 25, 2012, at 5:47:11
Do you think your anxiety may be caused by craving for alcohol/cocaine? The muscle relaxant baclofen can suppress craving for alcohol and cocaine. Your brain might be going through what is shown in this YouTube video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=byain0Vo5mo
www.olivierameisen.com/en/
Posted by PartlyCloudy on June 25, 2012, at 14:52:25
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis, posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2012, at 10:05:37
10 years is a long time of use, if it was weekend bingeing. That's harder for a body (any body) to recover to get over than minimal use over the same period.
Support is crucial. Try to avoid isolation during your danger periods. Meds can only do so much - most of it is social conditioning. That's part of why 12-step programs are so highly recommended - replacing one habit with another.
If AMD has only been using on the weekends, but using heavily, behavior will play a big role in overcoming relapse.
yes it's me I won't shut up and meds are not the be all end all answer to all problems.
Posted by sigismund on June 25, 2012, at 15:19:31
In reply to Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis, posted by AMD on June 25, 2012, at 5:47:11
>Over the past few days I've started having some anxiety over my general health: heart, brain, nose, etc. I continue to have some night sweats, and I've felt generally poor.
Hello, I haven't seen you for ages. At least everything is the same on the anxiety front :) Let's not talk about the brain. One of the advantages of getting older is that you worry less about your general health. It's a kind of embrace of despair.
I managed to drink like a fish (on the regrettably few occasions) when I took coke. Then there's the combination and that chemical reaction between the two
I wonder why you are having night sweats?
Sometimes your clear thoughts don't come back. Not like when you were 20.
Posted by sigismund on June 25, 2012, at 15:23:13
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis, posted by PartlyCloudy on June 25, 2012, at 14:52:25
Losing your network is an important thing. Usually this means losing the few friends you have. It takes ages. They have to die or move away. Once that has happened it becomes easier.
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2012, at 20:40:55
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis, posted by PartlyCloudy on June 25, 2012, at 14:52:25
PC I know who it is and didn't say meds were "the end all". Hence the purpose of being in a rehab facility being with others like self and learning coping mechanisms. And in rehab nightly AA meeting were attended in different areas via a Van. Exposure to different enviornments. Showed that look for the right Group that fits your needs.
Didn't you take campral at one time? And decide AA wasn't for you? And attend another form of meeting? Maybe in the archieves I don't know. Good you see you!!!! Phillipa
Posted by PartlyCloudy on June 27, 2012, at 15:44:52
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis » PartlyCloudy, posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2012, at 20:40:55
Doctors are now realizing that the 12-step approach does not work for everyone - not surprising since there are so many different underlying factors.
I found an all-woman group that gave me crucial support.
Campral worked great for me though I've read that naltraxone gives identical results.
Hi to you too. Just passing through.
pc
Posted by Phillipa on June 27, 2012, at 21:21:31
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis » Phillipa, posted by PartlyCloudy on June 27, 2012, at 15:44:52
PC I remember I think you could have been the first to report positively on campral. Hope life is treating you well. And you are feeling more like Sunny Skies. Phillipa
Posted by PartlyCloudy on June 29, 2012, at 14:05:48
In reply to Re: Alcohol / cocaine recovery prognosis » PartlyCloudy, posted by Phillipa on June 27, 2012, at 21:21:31
...as so often happens on threads where you gladly go off tangent, the original poster has left.
See a trend? It's been going on for years. I'll not reply further.
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2012, at 21:26:45
In reply to Meanwhile... » Phillipa, posted by PartlyCloudy on June 29, 2012, at 14:05:48
As most threads do here. Have you looked at the newby board? Now that is interesting Be well and happy!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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