Stopping alcohol prior to treatment

[zippytk]

I have received my first round of Harvoni and I was planning to start my treatment this weekend. I have been drinking daily for a long time and for the past few weeks I have cut back to no more than two drinks per day. My plan is to stop completely by the end of this week before I start my treatment. I am highly motivated to do this but someone just planted a seed of doubt in my head about stopping alcohol abruptly.   She even cautioned me about some people having seizures when stopping cold turkey. I'm curious what other people have experienced when going through this.  I also have a message in to my doctor regarding this.
Thank you!

[Lynn K]

Can you contact an alcohol dependency treatment center or a doctor familiar with alcohol dependency treatment and withdrawal?

If you are alcohol dependent yes you could experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms. There are medicines that can help you with that. If you in the US you could try finding an Alcoholics  Anonymous chapter in your area they may also be able to help.

[Lynn K]

Here is a link to an article from WebMD

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-treatments

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in people who have been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years and then either stop or significantly reduce their alcohol consumption.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as two hours after the last drink, persist for weeks, and range from mild anxiety and shakiness to severe complications, such as seizures and delirium tremens (also called DTs). The death rate from DTs -- which are characterized by confusion, rapid heartbeat, and fever -- is estimated to range from 1% to 5%.

[zippytk]

 Thank you for your responses. I was interested to see if other people were willing to share their own experiences with alcohol  cessation.

[Lynn K]

My guess it depends on your own physical self and the severity of your alcohol dependency.

Not sure we have many currently here who had alcohol dependency problems but hopefully if some are still around they will reach out to you.

My best suggestion is if you do experience symptoms you should discuss this with your doctor or get a referral to a doctor with experience in alcohol dependency cessation.


Good luck

[andrew j]

You should be fine stopping completely now.

You have already dropped back to no more than two drinks per day - so sudden withdrawal won't be a problem.
(The sort of reaction you describe only applies to people who drink heavily long-term - then suddenly stop).

It's not a good idea to drink any alcohol at all if you have Hep C / issues in reln. to your liver.