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My dad is in day 2 of detox and DTs started within 24 hours. He's been distressed and is in the ICU on sedatives and antibiotics for a spiking fever after aspiration. I would like to know what to expect in the immediate future as well as long-term, if he makes it out of this. He crashed about 24 hours in, but he's more stable now.
-- Edited by k2k112 on Monday 18th of September 2017 02:57:19 PM
Hi K2k112,
my ABF just came out of hospital for the same thing - massive detox. He's now home after 3 days in hospital. AS we are UK based, the NHS has referred him for support to an alcohol specialism team. Mentally he is a little fragile although physically he is fine now - he's had all the tests and plenty of vitamins pumped into him. I don't know what will happen long term - I imagine he's going to lost his job this week which I'm hoping he handles ok. He wants to quit drinking but his confidence has been completely bashed so I don't know if he will manage it. I hope he does. I can't help with long term - that's a very individual journey and depends on whether he wants to quit and what support is in place. You will hear people here who have quit immediately and you will hear people who have ended up leaving because their qualifier doesn't quit and ends up back in hospital. You will also hear people who carry on supporting their A even thought they don't quit. Try to spend time focusing on you. Unfortunately your dad will make his own choices and you can't change them - we didn't create the problem and we can't cure it either. Try getting to an al-anon meeting. THey are really helpful and keep coming back here - this is a fantastic group of people who will support you whatever happens longer term. take care x
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"To change the world, start with one step. However small, first step is hardest of all" Dave Matthews Band
Welcome k2k, I am sorry you are going through this, alcoholism is a family disease. You are not alone, most of us have experienced the insanity that a loved ones drinking can bring into our lives. While there are many similarities when an alcoholic detoxes there are also differences. If they are in poor health already, it can make it more difficult. My ex-bf only had DTs once and he had gone through detox several times. That time he did end up in intensive care like your father. They kept him pretty medicated until he went through that stage. It took ten days. He was not eating and malnourished. Sometimes only time will tell how they do. I wish I had more answers. Other people might have more experiences than I do. Plus, like I said everyone is different. Your dad is stable which is great news. I relied on my higher power to get me through that. I found this group and it read some literature and tried to focus on things one day at a time. We say to let go and let God, maybe you can find a face to face meeting, there are online meeting here twice a day. I hope things get better.
-- Edited by shrnp on Monday 18th of September 2017 03:49:37 PM
k2k112 - welcome to MIP - glad you found us and glad that you shared. I am sorry for what brings you here and hope that you can trust he's as safe as possible in the hospital, and this is a great time to take care of you.
I can share that withdrawal from alcohol is unique to each person. There are many common characteristics yet the physical condition of the person as well as the length of use of alcohol both do affect the withdrawal/DT's. What I do know is that it's really concerning when people try to go through it without medical supervision.
Should he want to stay sober, they will likely refer him to recovery - AA or treatment. Alcoholism is considered a family disease meaning most, if not all are affected when active disease is around. Al-Anon is a support recovery group for friends and family of an alcoholic, and everyone is welcome whether their person is/is not in AA or recovery.
Keep coming back - you are not alone. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for you/him/family!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
