The first stage is a physical thing. When you take a sedative like alcohol your brain reacts to it; it becomes hypersensitive so it can function under the sedating effects of the alcohol. When the alcohol wears off, your brain remains in that hyper sensitive stage for a few days before correcting itself. You may feel anxious, exhausted (alcohol prevents you from going through natural sleep cycles which is why everyone feels tired the day after drinking even modest amounts), even depressed.
You may feel tired but you may well be unable to sleep. Your brain produces adrenaline and cortisol (a stress hormone) to counter the sedating effect of the alcohol. We think of this as a hangover but it is alcohol withdrawal. It is:
An unpleasant feeling,
Caused by a chemical imbalance,
That is itself caused by the previous dose oof the drug wearing off.
You can expect to feel depressed, lacking in energy, feeling unable to face to usual day to day pressures of life, like getting up for work and getting through the day.
There are two ways to end this unpleasant feeling.
The thorough and total way to end it is to never drink again. After a few days (usually just a day or two) your brain chemistry gets back to normal. You will then feel confident, positive and back to your usual self.
The quicker but entirely superficial way to end this feeling is to take another drink. After all, you feel like this because your brain is geared up to work under the effect of a powerful sedative, but the sedative is not present. Taking another drink corrects the imbalance, so you go back to feeling confident and positive again almost immediately. But it doesn’t solve the problem, it just postpones it and increases it the following day.
It is literally just kicking the can down the street.
So how did I get through this? Knowledge. Knowing that within just a few days I would be back to normal self was enough to make me grit my teeth and just get on with it. I went to work, I functioned as best I could (which was obviously very below par), I did what I had to do at home and with the family. It was hard, but knowing that every day was taking me a day closer to it ending, once and for all, was enough to get me through.
For many people it is one bad day, on day two you wake up feeling so much better. But even for heavier long term drinkers the first day is the worst, and you can expect to be feeling far far better by around the third to fifth day, depending on how much you have been drinking and for how long.
**KEY POINT HERE**
Alcohol withdrawal for the very heaviest long term drinkers can be fatal. I am not a doctor. If you are in any doubt play it safe and speak to a doctor or other medical professional. They may also be able to prescribe some medication that can take the edge off the worst of the withdrawals.
17 responses
I’m day 1 starting in 2 hours. sigh.
Great decision.
I’m a new day 1 after resorting to red wine this week after being mostly alcohol free for 18 months. It shocks me how unpleasant waking up after drinking is.
I want the feeling of waking up excited and refreshed back!!
That’s ok, we all went through what you’re going through. Every single person who stopped drinking started somewhere. Just stick with it, keep adding the hours, days, weeks and months.
This totally explains last night.
On Day 8 and a well meaning friend had sent a miniature bottle of home made wild cherry brandy.
The brain failed and I succumbed whilst cooking dinner.
Result although tired I could not get to sleep. Brain wired but body tired.
My theory my body anticipated a lot more poison being imbibed and prepared for what would be my normal behavior.
Interesting self experiment in hindsight.
Yes I’m in a similar place and it’s so good to view it as an experiment- more knowledge that reinforces the decision to be alcohol free
Glad it helped explain it, and now you know for next time.
Day 2 for me. Feeling so much better today ☺️
I recently stopped drinking completely for a year. I had no withdrawal symptoms and didn’t feel any different. I stopped drinking because I felt unwell. I have a body riddled with polycistic arthritis due to being hyper mobile -too flexible. Turned out I had steroid induced psychosis and was allergic to several of the far too many drugs I was put on. I lost 3 weeks of my life and can never take steroids again – I was overdosed by between 400-600% and all the counter drugs made me worse. I now take only a few meds that are essential, but at low doeses. Bp med, cholesterol med (genetic as my diet is totally ideal apparently) and a small dose of amptitripaline at night for my nerve pain and migraines. Works a treat. I lost a ton of weight when ill and was slim to start with. Eventually , when I felt better and clear of the terrible trauma I suffered, I started drinking again and feel fine. I never get hangovers and all my liver tests are perfect. I have a healthy normal sized liver along with the other cr Ian organs. What do I drink? Since the age of 30, a bottle of white wine a day. I am 67 now. I do not drink any other alcohol and basically I drink with my meals. I don’t eat sugar, flour or processed foods. I eat 10 raw veggies and fruits a day. Everything organic as much as possible. No juices. I drink my own organic cold press olive oil with ginger and lemon in the mornings. No artificial sugar. All natural proteins, but rarely pork, beef or lamb. I love liver, sweet meats (brains) and fish. Cottage cheese. So what is wrong with me? Why do I not feel bad? Everyone says you could run a solar system off of me.
I’m on Day 2 (again) so bleh but I do feel better than yesterday. I woke up looking forward to reading this post! Thank you for this series!
Thank you for your comment.. it resonated with me
Thanks for the daily posts to my inbox. I am 74 and have read your books as well as joined your fb group. I still struggle to distance myself entirely from alcohol, and I’ll try again.
Cant tell you how much I appreciate these blogs. They come at perfect time. Thank you.
💪💞
I need help. I can’t get a day one in. I need more support
AA.org
Thank you for explaining a complex chemical reaction in such a digestible way. You are making an impact 👍🏽
I read this as I’m just past 900 days. Your work and insights in my earlier days were extremely helpful. Having a community of others helped immensely as well. I used my sobriety like a buffet, taking bits from all the people I could like you and Dave and Simon, but continued community support is also key!