Addiction & Recovery

Taverner

(55,476 posts) Mon Jul 16, 2012, 05:29 PM Jul 2012

"Brain Buzz" - is this normal for quitting alcohol?

I quit drinking a little over a week ago. No cravings for alcohol, but damned if I didn't feel like I've had a week long hangover.

The worst part, however, is the "brain buzz."

I've had these before when quitting opiates and when I went down on my SSRI meds

But I've been getting them CONSTANTLY since the day after I quit drinking

It's like if you turn your head, or move your eyes too quickly, I get dizzy and feel as if my brain was shooting an electrical current through itself. Hard to explain, but I hate it.

The lack of sleep isn't that fun either, but I'm starting to get to the chronic fatigue part now. Whoopee!!!

9 replies

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"Brain Buzz" - is this normal for quitting alcohol? (Original Post) Taverner Jul 2012 OP

hang in there tav NMDemDist2 Jul 2012 #1

60-90 days? That's worse than opiates! Taverner Jul 2012 #2

yup, and the withdrawals are killer NMDemDist2 Jul 2012 #3

Now I'm very worried. My son stopped 5 days ago. HelpmeHelp Jul 2012 #4

no, only if he's showing high blood pressure, a constant headache or any other signs like that NMDemDist2 Jul 2012 #5

Thank you. He HAS had an intermittent headache, but HelpmeHelp Jul 2012 #6

hang in there NMDemDist2 Jul 2012 #7

If it's been 5 days, and his blood pressure cordelia Jul 2012 #8

Thank you. We are still waiting. He's dual diagnosis, so HelpmeHelp Jul 2012 #9

NMDemDist2

(49,314 posts)

1. hang in there tav

Reply to Taverner (Original post)

Mon Jul 16, 2012, 06:12 PM

Jul 2012

it's gonna take 60-90 days for your body to mellow out.

but PLEASE check your blood pressure, booze withdrawals can be very dangerous....

Taverner

(55,476 posts)

2. 60-90 days? That's worse than opiates!

Reply to NMDemDist2 (Reply #1)

Mon Jul 16, 2012, 07:12 PM

Jul 2012

That stuff takes 7 weeks, max!

NMDemDist2

(49,314 posts)

3. yup, and the withdrawals are killer

Reply to Taverner (Reply #2)

Mon Jul 16, 2012, 08:06 PM

Jul 2012

literally!

Check your blood pressure for reals!

HelpmeHelp

(24 posts)

4. Now I'm very worried. My son stopped 5 days ago.

Reply to NMDemDist2 (Reply #1)

Tue Jul 17, 2012, 08:03 AM

Jul 2012

He only wants to sleep. We are waiting for a bed at rehab. If he can't get in today, should I head for an ER?

NMDemDist2

(49,314 posts)

5. no, only if he's showing high blood pressure, a constant headache or any other signs like that

Reply to HelpmeHelp (Reply #4)

Tue Jul 17, 2012, 08:16 AM

Jul 2012

sleeping is a good thing!

HelpmeHelp

(24 posts)

6. Thank you. He HAS had an intermittent headache, but

Reply to NMDemDist2 (Reply #5)

Tue Jul 17, 2012, 08:16 PM

Jul 2012

Aspirin seems to help.

This waiting is very hard for us.

NMDemDist2

(49,314 posts)

7. hang in there

Reply to HelpmeHelp (Reply #6)

Tue Jul 17, 2012, 08:31 PM

Jul 2012

and welcome to DU!

cordelia

(2,174 posts)

8. If it's been 5 days, and his blood pressure

Reply to HelpmeHelp (Reply #6)

Tue Jul 17, 2012, 09:15 PM

Jul 2012

is stable, he should be OK.

And let him sleep.

It appears he has a good support system in place - you. He's very fortunate.

Good luck to you all.

Please check back in?

HelpmeHelp

(24 posts)

9. Thank you. We are still waiting. He's dual diagnosis, so

Reply to cordelia (Reply #8)

Wed Jul 18, 2012, 08:52 AM

Jul 2012

there are a lot of facilities that won't touch him.

Waiting has been really stressful, with him alternately saying he really really wants to go and saying he's changed his mind....

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