Out of the system?

[endywood]

I have a question. After you quit poisoning yourself with alcohol, how long does it take to get out of the system? It will be two weeks today (if I make it through today) since I drank last (which was a binge that lasted for 6 days) I still have foggyness, sharp headaches and general fatigue. Is this normal? Could my system still be trying to clean itself out? Any suggestions?

[alcoholrehabcoach]

...I still have foggyness, sharp headaches and general fatigue. Is this normal? Could my system still be trying to clean itself out? Any suggestions?

Hello Endywood,

In my experience, people have reported similar feelings even several weeks after they stopped drinking. Of course the challenge is, even people who have never even touched alcohol in their life, can also have feelings of foggyness, headaches and fatigue!

Here's a couple different perspectives for you to consider:

1. Do you have anything against letting your body heal and clean itself out, and constantly work to repairing the damage that you've done? Do you have any objection to steadily getting better?

2. So what if it takes a few weeks for your body to repair itself? So what if it takes a few years? What is the alternative? To go back and start abusing yourself some more? As a mentor once said to me, "The damage is done, son. Now give yourself the time and space to heal."

3. Remember that the quality of your life is based on the quality of your cells. Here's 5 simple things that will help you detoxify and clear out some of the fogginess. People often don't like hearing these things, but I always tell them anyway...:wink:

1) Lots of deep, diaphragmatic breathing. Practice a long, slow, 4-16-8 count. That means let your diaphragm rise for a count of 4 as you inhale, suspend your breath by holding the diaphragm still for a count of 16, and then exhale for a count of 8. Do this 2 to 5 times, and repeat constantly throughout the day.

If it helps, put your hand on your diaphragm as you are doing this, and remember to go slow. Let your shoulders relax, and whenever you feel like sighing, just go ahead and let that happen and then go back to the breathing pattern again.

2) Drink lots of water. Distilled water is best for the first couple of months at least.

3) SWEAT! Do something to get your heart rate up, take a sauna, or at the very least, get outside for a brisk paced walk several times a week

4) For the first month, reduce your sugar intake, and eat more vegetables. Right now your body is very acidic, and it needs to be more alkaline.

5) And here's the one a lot of people don't like, but you would be amazed how much it helps if you don't use these things as a crutch or substitute for your addiction...eliminate donuts, coffee and cigarettes.

I know! I know! An IMPOSSIBLE task some say, but all I'm telling you is what I have found that works.

Whether or not you do any of these things is totally up to you.

Good luck and no matter what, keep on coming back. You have many friends here who want you to succeed.

Mike

Oh yeah, one more thing...

Smile frequently.