Question 1

is there a "patch" for quitting alcohol?

Accepted Answer

No: There are 4 approved medications to reduce craving for alcohol - acamprosate (campral) is a pill taken 3 times a day; Naltrexone (revia) is a pill taken once a day, and vivitrol is a long-acting form of Naltrexone which is injected once every 4 weeks. The fourth is the oldest- antabuse, (disulfiram) a pill which will cause nausea, vomiting, headache and other symptoms if you drink on top of it.

Question 2

quitting alcohol cold turkey - is it okay?

Accepted Answer

Quitting alcohol: It can be a problem quitting alcohol cold turkey, if you have built up a tolerance. WDRL symptoms from alcohol occur 24-72 hours after the last drink. If you start to feel shaky without alcohol, that is a sign that  you could have more severe WDRL symptoms. A person needs to drink at least one pint per day for 30 days to have WDRL symptoms can consist of seizures requiring medical attention.

Question 3

i understand that drinking alcohol can make skin look bad. but can quitting alcohol improve damage that regular drinking may have caused?

Accepted Answer

Maybe not: Moderate alcohol intake probably will not adversely affect your skin. There are several types of skin changes associated with alcohol abuse: bruising, increased wrinkles, spider veins, jaundice, rosacea, and skin cancer including melanoma.  Jaundice, rosacea, and bruising may improve with abstinence.  There are other serious issues with alcohol abuse such as cirrhosis of the liver.

Question 4

can quitting alcohol cold turkey cause a cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if indirectly: While many drugs can be stopped cold turkey, almost all will cause some level of withdrawal.  Withdrawal symptoms from narcotic drugs such as heroin or Cocaine can produce diarrhea, chills, nausea or vomiting, but will usually not kill you. Alcohol withdrawal is much more dangerous and can cause seizures and heart arrythmias which can lead to cardiac arrest. Never quit without medical supervision!

Question 5

what happens if someone was dealing with post acute withdrawal syndrome after quitting alcohol, would the doctor possibly prescribe anxiety medication?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Your primary care provider likely will not. That person ought to seek out a medical detox unit, where they can medicate the person after they stop alcohol, it can be life threatening withdrawal if the amount of alcohol is high enough, and needs to be monitored and medicated as needed, otherwise they could development delirium tremens and/or withdrawal seizures.

Question 6

can you tell me what you suggest if someone was dealing with post acute withdrawal syndrome after quitting alcohol, would the doctor possibly prescribe anxiety medication?

Accepted Answer

PostAcute Withdrawal: Paw is normal and common in early recovery - during the first 18-24 mos, periods of hours to days to weeks of symptoms including difficulty thinking clearly, mood swings or emotional numbing, short term memory problems, physical coordination problems, sleep problems and increased sensitivity to stress. Medication is appropriate for co-occurring anxiety or depression, but generally not just for paw.

Question 7

hello doctor!for the past 13 months that i was diagnosed of fatty liver,i still experience pains in my right chest.i hv quit drinking alcohol at same time and also exercising plus healthy feeding.the last time i carried out a liver function was test was l

Accepted Answer

Congratulations!: Stay sober, it will make a big difference - feel proud! Also, continue to have appropriate checkups and ask about the results, advice, expectations, etc. Depending on the level of prior damage, you may always need to be careful or you may be nearly fine. Find out. I hope you can enjoy a good life!

Question 8

my friend is addicted to alcohol, meth, and marijuana. when she quits, do you recommend she quits all 3 at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Addiction is more an issue of what is going on between your ears than the rest of the body. Avoiding one factor does not help eliminate the others. Yes there can be some withdrawal issues in an addict but there are meds &amp; treatments that can help. The choices are get off the stuff or die.

Question 9

my sgot  is 76.2 , sgpt 82, ggt 280 .. i drink alcohol ! if i quit alcohol completely .. how much time it would take to get these figures to normal?

Accepted Answer

High liver  enzymes: Elevated liver enzymes are the consequence of  alcoholism and other liver diseases which can be diagnosed thru blood tests by an specialists. It depends on each individual how long it takes to decrease and return to normal levels, if you stop drinking alcohol or treat underlying medical illnesses. You need to make an effort to reduce your alcohol intake to the minimum or stop completely.

Question 10

ativan is not safe with alcohol, but is it ok to take it the next day after having drinks? is there a timeline?

Accepted Answer

Ativan and alcohol: Depends how much you drink and the condition of your liver. Ativan acts by itself (lorazepam half life is 12 hrs), and by a metabolite formed in the liver (lorazepam glucoride-half life is 18 hrs), so, to be safe you have to start drinking very moderately after18 hrs at least from your last dose, and it would be safe (after moderate drinking) to take the ativan 18-24hrs after the last drink.

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Doctor answers about:

Benefits of quitting alcohol timeline

A member asked:

Is there a "patch" for quitting alcohol?

A member asked:

Quitting alcohol cold turkey - is it okay?

A member asked:

I understand that drinking alcohol can make skin look bad. but can quitting alcohol improve damage that regular drinking may have caused?

A member asked:

Can quitting alcohol cold turkey cause a cardiac arrest?

A member asked:

What happens if someone was dealing with post acute withdrawal syndrome after quitting alcohol, would the doctor possibly prescribe anxiety medication?

A member asked:

Can you tell me what you suggest if someone was dealing with post acute withdrawal syndrome after quitting alcohol, would the doctor possibly prescribe anxiety medication?

A member asked:

Hello doctor!for the past 13 months that i was diagnosed of fatty liver,i still experience pains in my right chest.i hv quit drinking alcohol at same time and also exercising plus healthy feeding.the last time i carried out a liver function was test was l

A member asked:

My friend is addicted to alcohol, meth, and marijuana. when she quits, do you recommend she quits all 3 at the same time?

A member asked:

My sgot is 76.2 , sgpt 82, ggt 280 .. i drink alcohol ! if i quit alcohol completely .. how much time it would take to get these figures to normal?

A member asked:

Ativan is not safe with alcohol, but is it ok to take it the next day after having drinks? is there a timeline?

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