Forced to Stop Drinking “Cold Turkey” Due to Medicine – Dangerous?
Question by Mousepad99: Forced to Stop Drinking “Cold Turkey” due to medicine – Dangerous?
I’m an alcoholic.. A functional one. I didn’t lose anything, I’m doing great at work and my wife loves me, however I do have a drinking problem. I love beer. I can control myself if I have to not drink, but frankly, I can count on my hand the number of days I didn’t drink in the last 10 years. Never really affected my life, as I tend to not get “drunk”, but it’s really an habit. When I wash the car, when I watch a hockey game, when I go to the restaurant, when I play video game, when I sail my boat… I think there’s not one occasion that doesn’t “deserve a few beers”. However, i’m able to not drink when it’s not appropriate, such as long road trip, or during work. But I’ll usually drink as soon as I arrive home. I can easily reach 8 beers in one night.
Now I’ve had a car crash 1 month ago (was sober!), and the car rolled over several time. My car was a convertible, my head hit the grass a few times while it was rolling over on the side of the highway. This caused issues to some of my cervical discs, C4-C5, C6-C7 and D2. (Inflation)
The pain started to create anxiety, and eventually led to some panic attacks. And well, I was prescribed Gavindo (300mg Gabapentin, and Vitamin B1, B12), to take every 12 hours, and from another doctor, I was prescribed 0.25 MG Xanax pills “BREAK THE GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY” prescription.
Those panic attacks can get really scary so I don’t mind having the emergency pills, they have helped a few times, although my orthopedist wants me to pass through the anxiety attacks without the xanax, and handle it by myself.
Anyway, Both medicines (xanax and gabapentin) CAN’T be mixed with alcohol. And I don’t mind leaving alcohol.I think this is a good opportunity to quit, however, I’m already dealing with anxiety and panic attacks, so I’m afraid of the withdrawal symptoms. I’m reaching 3 days without alcohol, so far so good. Problems sleeping. I’ve red about the dangers of sudden withdrawal such as seizures etc… I’m really afraid of this. How “strong” an alcoholic do you need to be in order to suffer seizures, dt’s etc..?
Is quitting alcohol while working on my new anxiety attacks due to my back pain and car crash a good idea?
I’m really not sure what to do here.. I did not talk to my orthopedist about my alcohol problems. My HEAD is ready to quit alcohol. My MIND is ready to quit. But I’m afraid of what I can’t control, and that is PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS due to withdrawal.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
PS: Sorry for my mediocre English, it isn’t my primary language.
Edit: I’m starting physical therapy to help recover from the injury tomorrow of course, and will talk about my anxiety and alcoholism with the doctor.
Best answer:
Answer by notyou311
Anything that stops you from drinking is a very good thing. It could save your life. If you have problems with anxiety and panic attacks, alcohol only makes it worse. You need to get medical treatment for these problems.
The next danger is that you could get addicted to the pills since you have an addictive personality. Discuss it with your Dr. You need help badly.
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