The silver lining of the pandemic. When the bars and restaurants were shut down, I said, “I’m taking advantage of this” Heavy heavy drinker for 20 years prior, never missed a day. My last drink was 4-28-20. Today is 4-11-23. 😊 sleep is there, focus is there. I can’t think of a reason to ever drink again.

I would like to offer my experience. When I was 24 I was hired as a police officer. We were all young single professionals who liked to party. I noticed early on I could outdrink my peers easily. I never drank before or during work. The only time I did not drink at all was on nightshifts. I would go home and go to sleep and head back to work. At age 24 I was no longer living with my parents as I had to move for my career. I would have never drank at home, but now I was free to do so. At Age 27 I walked into a bedroom of a dead alcoholic. This man was 27 as well and surrounded by bottles. He lived at home with his mother and brother. I was scared straight, so I thought. I quit drinking for maybe 3 weeks. I hated life, I was agitated constantly and very unpleasant to be around. Miserable as I was, I went back to drinking. The fear of the what if long subsided. As the years progressed so did my alcoholism. Occasionally I would be dispatched to death calls where the clear cause was alcohol. The worst of which was a person who looked like a yellow wax monster, one of the most hideous I had seen. At this point I was long gone. I had accepted the fact that my demise would be similar to the men and women who dies alone surrounded by giant bottles of alcohol. As time pressed on I began to decline mentally and this began to manifest as anxiety and panic attacks after time without drinking. I can say that my job was hard to do in that state but any job would have seen me in decline. I was inured on duty and went for back surgery. I could not accept that I could never go out of patrol again. I was placed in a cubicle doing data entry for years after. The perfect way for my alcoholism to thrive while remaining undetected. I was an absolute recluse by this point. I eliminated my social circle by never attending any events or cancelling at the last minute. I could not drink the way I wanted to drink in those social settings. My daily routine of grabbing a full glass of vodka with ice was much faster than the slow grind of social drinking. That was how my mind worked. I then got the green light for a second surgery on my spine. To access the area they needed to cut through my original scar tissue. This surgery was unsuccessful and left me with horrible nerve damage in my feet. My anxiety was punishing. I would go shopping and then have a panic attack and run out of the store leaving a full cart of groceries. I could barely enter my pin number, often failing thew 1st time which only caused my uncontrollable shaking worse. Many times I had to just walkaway without my item. That or I had to call my ex to compete my transactions. At 44 I looked nothing like my former self. I was a bloated red faced man who shaved his head because I could no longer sit in a barbers chair. I returned to work and I couldn't even type anymore. My new supervisor took me aside one day. He told me his story and it was essentially the same as mine. Inured drinker, addicted to prescribed pain killers. He asked me if I would be willing to anything and I said yes. It was a blur after that. Doctors , psychologist and HR. A month later I walked into a 6 week rehab facility and I never drank again, well , so far haha. 3.5 years sober. What does this have to do with the video? I have seen people in withdrawal and its terrible. A man who quit alcohol pointing to a closet and saying that lady there keeps running around my house with bugs, as I look at an empty closet. I have seen death and seizures too. My doctor gave me tip once as he told me of liver issues and that was to not quit abruptly. I knew that to be true cause I had seen it all. The 1st week in the facility I was medically detoxed and under constant necessary scrutiny. Due to the severity of my abuse, the others started the program without me. I was also coming off the pain killers. By day 3 I was much better and by day 4 I joined the group. When I got out I Joined AA. AA has worked for me. For some it doesn't, there are many options. Do not fool yourself or allow yourself to quit cold turkey. A seizure may cause death, or more so brain trauma. Leaving you without control of your own faculties. If you still have anyone left that loves you, you will burden them. Don't let the alcohol fool you into thinking death is the only option. I truly believed that. I was completely stunned to find out just 3 months later my liver enzymes had returned from normal from the staggering number I had initially been given, 11 x more than normal. I got a lot back from quitting. My appearance was one thing I 1st noticed. I remember one day looking in the mirror and said to myself, I never thought I would see you again, old friend.

I started drinking alcohol since my teenage. Spent my whole life fighting alcohol addiction. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

My grandma died of alcohol withdrawal. My mom had extreme withdrawal. I was a heavy drinker for 10 years. After hitting rock bottom I quit cold turkey. Luckily, I only had a nasty hang over for 2 days and cravings for a week. I’m beyond lucky. I’m 8 months sober and I can’t look back

Alcohol withdrawl is true spiritual torture. A prisoner in your own body and mind. I felt a truely dark and malevolent presence inside of me through my alcoholism. 15 months sober now. 🎉

Crying floods of tears watching this. My Dad died from withdrawing from alcohol. Everyone at the time had the attitude of ‘just stop drinking’. Easy. He lost his parents in the holocaust and never talked of the horrors he saw as a child. Medicating his trauma my poor Dear Dad 😢

I am an alcoholic and have been ever since I turned 21, I’m 28 now and recently started working on my sobriety by going to AA meetings. The first 5 days of not drinking was absolute hell. One night while having an episode of sleep paralysis I vividly remember having a seizure that violently jolted me awake screaming. Other nights I would be awaken by audible hallucinations that sounded like people banging aggressively on my door. I was absolutely terrified to fall asleep and didn’t really get much the first week. After that everything has been normal but I still get insane cravings to pick up a drink, however the thought of having to go through that again terrifies and motivates me to not have a drink. 2 months sober after drinking heavily almost everyday for 7 years. Glad I stopped while I still could.

Two years sober and counting! I'll never forget my withdrawal symptoms! I did it on my own, while living alone, and it was certainly not something I would ever want to experience again! I miss having a drink every once in a while to make me feel better (depression etc) but I'm wise enough not to do it.

I found that watching one youtube video a day on the dangers of alcohol and one video on how great people felt after quitting reprogrammed me to be able to stop. Do it every day. It may help you, too. Good luck to you all.

I have a story to share. Each morning I would stop by McDonalds for coffee. One morning a crowd of homeless kids were picking on this homeless man that was sitting on the concrete in front of McDonald's. i approached them and threatened to call the cops and they scattered like cockroaches. I spoke to this man and I could tell he was clearly suffering from alcoholism. His legs were red and swollen and he told me he lived in the field next to McDonald's and he could walk to the door to McDonald's but he couldn't walk any further. Every so often I would stop and see John and I told him that when he was ready to quit drinking I would take him to the Aloha House (rehab center). He would share a little about his life. My heart broke for this man. One day he told me he was ready for rehab, I took him to the hospital get a clearance to get accepted into rehab.On our way to rehab upcountry, John told me he was scared and I tried to comfort him the best I could. I went into the rehab center with him and wished him well. When I called the rehab center in 4 days to check on him I found out he had died. Please, please always be kind to the homeless and the hurting. No one ever said they wanted to grow up and become a drunk. Pass on love and hope.

I went through the DT's. I was in the hospital for over a week. I was mad. I broke straps, thought there was a flood coming in the room, and saw dead people everywhere. They were even lying in the bed with me. It was horrible and I'm lucky to have lived. I quit for a few months then ended up in the hospital again, then again, and four more times. It was bad. I had to want to stop living that way. To do that i had to get away from my family and friends that are all drunks. By God's grace i did. Five years later i have a new home, a thriving business, and a wife. She was my girlfriend while i fought that demon. I never thought it could get better. It did. I've never been happier in my life.

Back in the mid-nineties, I had serious drinking problem. In '96 I decided that it was getting to a really stupid level, so I slowly tapered off on the amount of drinks per day. I started at a limit of 3 and after 2 or three weeks I limited it to 2, then after two weeks it was only 1 drink a day for about 3 weeks and after that, no drinking at all. I never suffered from any physical withdrawal symptoms. It was just a case of strong willpower and dedication.

No hospital ever understood this. When I was an alcoholic, they dismissed me from A & E despite tremors, hallucinations, and sweats. They said "You can't be in withdrawal" because I'd still had a drink that day. They used to calculate your withdrawal based on time. They couldn't understand how I could be in withdrawal within a few hours or with alcohol still in my BAC. I was a liquor-drinker and a severe alcoholic. I also had kindling due to previous withdrawals. By the end, I couldn't even keep enough alcohol down to stop the withdrawal. Thank you for spreading awareness. I had to do dangerous cold turkey a number of times because hospitals told me to go home. I had seizures and DTs as a result and all alone, too ill to call an ambulance when it got horrific. All care providers need to understand this, and also stop seeing alcoholics as a bother or waste of resources. 10 years sober but I nearly died to achieve that. It needn't have been the case.

I am a heavy drinker, booze every day. I can stop for 3 days when I think I’ve had too much, with no perceptible withdrawal symptoms. 9 days ago I stopped after a day of vodka and white wine. I woke up at 1.30 am feeling very unwell, clammy with a pulse of 122. I tried to settle myself down but nothing helped. I always dreaded the day that I would wake my wife up and ask her to call an ambulance, but I did. Fortunately our daughter-in-law is a nurse and lived opposite us and my wife called her. When she saw me she took my blood pressure and took me to A&E without waiting for an ambulance. After tests over the cause of the night I was allowed to go home. With no signs of a heart attack I felt pretty lucky. Day 8 without any alcohol and no withdrawal symptoms. I’m convinced that night was the warning that a lot of people don’t get, and I’m grateful. I now know for certain that my ( heavy ) drinking days are over after that fright and as I said, I’m grateful that I came out of it with no damage. Good luck to anyone who wants to quit, do it now before it’s too late. Best wishes.

I quit drinking a year ago and I remember watching this video trying to make sense of what was going on with my body in the withdrawal phase of it all. I could cry with gratitude right now for being sober.

For anybody who is going through alcoholism. Try to stop as soon as you can. I stopped mine immediately I did shrooms, my life changed.

It's so crazy I just can't believe how alcohol still can be legal the most dangerous drug

I've detoxed a couple times from alcohol. It is no joke. Absolutely brutal. The audible hallucinations and having a seizure were 2 of the scarier moments in my life. All I wanted to do was sleep and hydrate but pure discomfort and constant vomiting and panic attacks made it impossible until about 72 hours after my last drink. It took me 2 whole days to pee I was so dehydrated. Take this as a precautionary tale please.

Excellent description of the medical severity of withdrawal. I suffered from the DTs in 2017 and spent 5 days in ICU. It’s no joke. I had hallucinations at the rehab and was rushed to the ER. I’m now sober almost 5 years and thankful every day that I was given another chance. To anyone thinking of quitting or going through withdrawals I know they suck but I promise your life will be unimaginably better sober.

Twenty three years ago my girlfriend left me. I had grown aware that her drinking was preventing her from being successful at the community college where she was trying to gain job skills. She had been unable to hold down a regular job but I didn't realize that the underlying cause was alcoholism. We stayed friends in part because she was always having financial issues and she needed my financial support. To cut to the chase, about 4 years ago, even though we were no longer in a relationship she moved into my home. I quickly realized she was in the final stages of alcoholism. There was no stopping her drinking at this point and her appearance was gastly. She not only refused help but she denied that drinking a liter of gin everyday was the root cause of her rapidly diminishing health and appearance. And heavy smoking from the age of 9 years old had also caused COPD. The cirrhosis of her liver caused ascites where she would bloat up with retained fluids making her look 10 months pregnant. And she lost the ability to assimilate protein so she was suffering malnutrition. It was terrible. She needed to get the fluid drained from her abdomen every couple of weeks while still denying she had an alcohol problem. Because she couldn't drink at the hospital while being treated she would load up prior to going to the hospital. She got so drunk she fell off the porch causing additional injuries. I took her to the hospital where they tried to treat her injuries, cirrhosis, COPD, and malnutrition. Her prolonged alcoholism had driven away her family and friends (other than her alcoholic friends) so there was nobody but me to see to her needs. She lingered for four weeks where she was mostly sedated. I was able to stay with her after she was transferred to the hospice wing of the hospital. She lasted about 30 hours before she passed away while I held her hand. I'll never be the same. And the hospice manager was a real butt hole demanding to know when a mortuary would be picking up her body because they didn't want the additional cost of sending her body to the hospitals morgue. All at 3:00 AM after I'd been awake for several days. Even though I had her medical power of attorney she tried to stop me from taking her clothing and personal effects at 3:00 AM. Fortunately the other hospice nurses helped me as I tearfully packed her things and I was able to leave before security arrived. Now my friend of 35 years is sitting in a cardboard box decorated with a giant stamp saying "HUMAN CREMAINS". I want to have a service and burial but there is no one to come to the service. One small consolation is her cat still lives with me and she is a real help when I'm depressed by my friends death.

Congrats to all the sober people on here and family of those sober or trying to get there. I was a severe alcoholic for 6 years. I drank from 4-5am, until I blacked out around midnight and then started over. It was absolute torture. In 2017, I got a DUI and crashed into 2 parked cars in a total blackout. Worst of all, I had my 10 year old, his best friend and my 1 year old in the car. It was my rock bottom. I have been sober since that night, 9/29/2017 and I’m grateful every time I go to bed at night, after another day sober. It’s taken years for my kids and husband to trust me, but I did that. I worked my ass off for the last 5.5 years to earn that trust back and I will do anything, to never go back there again. Unfortunately, I am still a convicted felon, I can’t be around children, I can’t even volunteer in my now 1st graders classroom supervised…. But, those are the consequences for my actions and thank god it wasn’t worse than what it actually was. Prayers for those in and out of this horrific disease.

Well this describes the last week of my life. 7 days sober today.

I'm around 3 months sober and it gets easier every week. I drank in combination with smoking weed for years, on a daily basis. I wouldn't consume alcohol without weed, and vice versa. It always had to be both together for a stronger hit. Honestly if I could, I'd do it forever just because of how good it felt, but around 3 months ago I wanted a change. Life was becoming too repetitive, and there's a quote I read once which always comes to mind “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change”. I'd quit cigarettes many years ago so I knew if I put my mind to it, I could do it, and it's all mental at the end of the day. I was lucky in that i didn't experience any serious withdrawals or issues from going sober. I just really miss it and some weekends it's tempting to just drive to the store and get a bottle of whiskey and just enjoy myself for that weekend alone and go back to sobriety on Monday. I think that's the real test. Because I know that weekend will come one day, I'm not aiming to stay sober for life, I'm aiming to be able to control it and not make it a daily thing where it consumes me again. But I still want to be able to enjoy a joint and a drink of good scotch once in a while and have the self control to put them away come Monday. One big change I have noticed in the past 3 months is I've started to dream a lot again, like every night almost. Whereas when I was boozing I would rarely remember a dream. I read that it's due to alcohol and weed closing up or clogging a lot of the receptors in our brain and when we go sober they open up again so we're influxed with dreams all over again. I even had a dream around a month into sobriety that I got wasted drunk, and while it initially felt good in the dream, I remember I just ruined my sobriety and was super disappointed in myself, only to wake up and realize it was all a dream. Good luck to everyone out there on the sober train. Remember, the mind leads, the body follows

After 15yrs of alcohol abuse. My heart rate has 198 bpm for 2 weeks. Insomnia, psychosis. Thought I was going to have a heart attack. Didn't eat I lost about 26lbs. But I had made up my mind I was quitting regardless of price. And im 2.5yrs sober at the moment.

As an alcoholic who really want to quit, I thank you so much for your sincere advice.

I was a raging alcoholic and I remember all of this. I would only sleep 4 hrs because I would start withdrawal.. so had to get up and take a shot of something to let me sleep again.. but I'd wake up 2 hours later.. I would hide bottles under the bed and steal it from parties in water bottles from parties . I always had it on me. Finally got sick and stopped but the panic attacks were controlling my life everytime I tried to quit.. I'm on meds now and it's been a year since I binged.. I have drank occasionally but the next day I feel like the hangover is the withdrawal and I'll end up in er. I hate that this drug is available everywhere

When I started withdrawing bad around 36 I was getting sleep paralysis and demons would crawl through my window .. I would wake up eventually but my heart would be pounding outside my chest .. 7 months sober today 🙏

In 2 weeks I am about to go in to hospital for one week detox. Then I go straight from there to a rehab place for 4 weeks. I am chronic (alcohol only, no drugs). I am 68 years old, I have onset lung damage from smoking.. This is the best educational video on the planet. This video may save my life. I might get to hug my grandchildren again... it's tough, but better than the alternative. Thank you Dr Kim. You just made my trek easier and I am going to show this to all my family - so they will know what to expect - but more importantly - show the young ones that this is what your life could be. Thank you so much.... I'm in Australia. All my hospital, medication, rehab accomodation, food, anything I need is free.. not a dime. But that's another story.

I had pancreatitis that then led to alcohol withdrawal and full blown delirium tremens. Hallucinations both visual and auditory that seemed as real as can be. A very scary week but I survived. I remember seeing the Jägermeister deer looking in my window. I will be sober 8 years this June 19th. Please stop drinking before it is too late! You are strong enough to do it!

I'm heading toward the end of day 3! First day, had a huge headache, severe anxiety to the point I had a full blown panic attack at work, fought through it by reciting some childhood prayers I remembered. Later that day I felt a bug fall on me and I smacked my arm hard and my coworker looked at me all weird...I was like bruh wtf is going on...high heart rate and high blood pressure, like I could literally feel my blood pressure being high Day 2 Headache turned to a severe migraine to the point I couldn't get up, talk, or think, rush of cold chills throughout the day, lasted all day. Still had high blood pressure, but heart rate was calm. Day 3, felt the headache but I could tell it was fading away, started to feel a bit happier, and now I'm actually proud of myself and can see light at the end of the tunnel....thank you Lord 😭

I think you are a hero Dr Kim. I am just in my 6th day since I started detox. 1 full bottle of whisky a day for 7 years... and I am 70 years old. 3 doctors said it is a miracle I am still alive. I am now off all medication and cleared of detox . I can drive again, my mind is clear and I have a new jest for life! , my vitals are those of a healthy 20 year old. I am thankful for those who helped me through the detox and for people like you.

My father has battled chronic alcoholism pretty much his entire adult life. His father died from the withdrawals. This was very eye opening as far as my approach to the issue 👏🏾🙏🏾

I started drinking at 14, but my addiction took a turn for the worst in the summer of 2021. I was going into my junior year of college, living completely alone in my college town with nothing to do... except drink. I lied to my parents for alcohol money, hung around sketchy strangers just to mooch a drink, and drank myself into a stupor every afternoon/evening. I'd pass out on the couch, wake up multiple times in the middle of the night, and have to continue drinking to rid myself of the extreme uncomfortability of withdrawal and fall back asleep. I would show up to work still intoxicated, but that was the only way to get through the day. I felt so ill and pathetic, but the thing that caused these problems seemed like the only solution to them. So I kept drinking. My habits only worsened when my friends returned in the fall, but no one was particularly worried. It wasn't abnormal for a college student to be an avid "partier". My depression and addiction led to a suicide attempt in October of 2021. I moved back home, yet the drinking continued. I didn't stop until my parents caught me sneaking bottles of wine in November. I attended AA and had several counselors, and I got better. I learned why I drink in the first place and began to resolve the root causes of my addiction. I could sleep finally, focus throughout the day, and my appetite returned. I was healing... and happy. I was sober for 10 months, traumatically relapsed in September of 2022 when I got back to school, but I haven't had a drink since. It's very strange, being 21 and unable to participate in a lot of the things people my age can. However, I gave up alcohol and I got my life back. I hate how this poison is so available and normalized. Sobriety is the best thing that's ever happened to me. For anyone pursuing it, hang in there. Ask for help when you need it. I believe in you. You can do this.

I was just 27 when i quit cold turkey,after drinking nearly 12 years..iv experienced heavy DT,halluciantions,hearing voices,these voices were reacting on my toughts ,really demonic..i tought im in hell,i had to call ambulance in the end,my heart rate was 155,i could die easily..3 years sobber

Almost got me. I had to be put in an induced coma for a week. They gathered my family and told them to prepare, had a 12% shot at surviving. I went in because I had jaundice from liver failure. 7 years sober now, was drinking for a decade. Had absolutely terrifying coma dreams too, amnesia when I woke up, was in the hospital for a month altogether.

Dr Kim.. you are a hero.. I watched this with a drink in front of me.. I pushed it aside. I have been through detox and my wife went on a 4 week holiday... I relapsed and have been drinking a bottle of whisky a day since my wife has been gone. My family and friends were 'proud of me' for getting through detox. I lied... I was not ready (or smart enough?) to stop drinking. I am not young and strong, I am 69 years old. It would break her heart to come home and know I haven't changed a thing.. She is home in 10 days. I am not going to drink until then because I thought I could *bull**** my way through this. Now I am worried about the sudden non drinking. .. Not sure I will survive this.. I could die.. but worse, I break my families hearts.. Its not an easy trek and you young people reading this, please, please do not get to my stage... One day - it's becomes too late...

I come from a family of heavy drinkers and had been one myself most of my life. I'm presently 53 years old. My first encounter with alcohol, I was very young, 5 or 6 years old. By the time I was 13 or 14 I was drinking pretty regularly. Then at 16 or 17 I was getting into big parties with lots of booze of all kinds and drugs of all kinds. Long story short, I gave up the hard drugs along the way but always drank. My poison of choice was Vodka and then later on Tequila and beer. By the time I quit drinking, I was consuming a 26oz bottle of booze and between 6-12 beer a day. That had been going on for about 8-10 years straight. How could I drink that much and work, you ask. My mother had a small stroke in 2012 and developed dementia. I became her sole caregiver in 2014 as the rest of my living family didn't give a shit, so it fell to me, the ultimate black sheep of the family. That pressure and indifference did not help with my drinking. It actually compounded the problems which led me to drink in the first place. I had to put her in a home in 2019 and for the first time in years, I realized I had a very huge drinking problem, but still kept drinking. She passed in January of 2020, just before the whole world fell apart. This may sound cold but I finally felt free, unburdened for the first time in years and quit drinking cold turkey, alone, in a run down Motel I had been staying at. Talk about a reason to drink. My living conditions were very depressing as that flu started shutting everything down. But I did it. It was 10 days of pure hell!! All the symptoms that were described in this video were present. The headaches, the heart rate, the shakes, loss of sleep, restlessness and hallucinations. OH LORD!! THE HALLUCINATIONS!!! There were neon bright larvae and maggots crawling in and out of my skin, all over my body. They would jump off me then turn into multi-coloured wisps of smoke as they rose towards the ceiling. Then they'd morph into demon-looking butterflies, moths and dragons before disappearing through the roof only to pop up again on my skin. It was terrifying. At one point, I saw a bright light coming through the closed door and I stood up to walk through it when my dead brothers' silhouette stepped in front of me, blocking the way. I couldn't see his face but knew it was him from his outline in the light. (I don't believe in ghosts or the supernatural in any way!) I felt warmth and peace, like I knew everything was going to be ok, so I stepped towards my brother and he said four things I'll never forget: "You're not ready yet Rob. Go back to bed. Stop drinking. Get better". I did as I was told, went back to bed and woke up 3 days later. That was 3 years, 1 month and 6 days ago and I haven't touched a drop since. Funny thing is, I ended up homeless about a month after I got sober. For almost 3 years, it was the scariest, most F'd up situation I had ever been in. Living in shelters surrounded by drug addicts, alcoholics and the mentally unstable would give anyone reason to drink and there were times when I was tempted. Then I'd remember what my brother had told me and what I went through and would start to feel ill at the thought of drinking. As I mentioned I don't believe in the supernatural, but something was and still is looking out for me. I can honestly say I count myself fortunate that I was able to stop drinking completely after my first real attempt to quit. Lots of people I've known over the years tried and failed many times before they found their success. If you are reading this and are trying to stop drinking, drugs or anything addictive you CAN do it. It's hard, it hurts and the worst thing for me was getting over the boredom of being sober. Find something to occupy your time and keep your mind busy. Try to surround yourself with positivity, positive people and situations, volunteer somewhere, help a neighbor. These things are very cliche but they work if you really want them to. That's the key: YOU need to do this for YOU and YOU alone. Like I said, it's hard...but it's more than worth it. Thanks for the video and taking the time to read my little slice of life. To those of you who are thinking of or trying to get sober, I have one more thing to say to you all: YOU CAN DO IT!! JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF... Peace.

A family member went through severe withdrawal and with a massive case of pancreatitis, in 2005-6. They had to induce a coma to control the agony (which is indescribable), fever and pancreas infection. He was in the coma in ICU for two weeks. When he awoke, he finally had had enough. He's still sober to this day.

Thank you for informing others of this. I've watched the slow, painful, and frankly disturbing demise of my stepdad when he was just 43. It always blew my mind that no one talked about the reality of it- specifically the hallucinations. After he passed away I would go out with friends, but I haven't been able to bring myself to drink after what I witnessed.

So some of the things that you discussed like DT's and Hallucinosis have right now convinced me to reduce my alcohol consumption. I didn't know it could go that far and I must say, it's pretty scary. Thanks for making this video, seriously.

Alcohol withdrawals are horrible. I remember seeing things running across the floor, shadows, not sleeping for 3 days in a row. Not being able to eat for 3 days

My brother died at 42 due to “alcohol addiction.” Jack Daniels all day. Neither he nor my mom ever admitted he was an alcoholic. Denial. He was a good guy.

By the grace of our loving GOD...survived DTs....grateful to be sober

Hearing this and reading the comments makes me super grateful in my quitting of alcohol. I thought I was gonna have a harder time stopping but I fortunately didn’t. Going on 5months & not regretting it at all.

I can relate to every single topic of this discussion. 8 seizures, DT’s and the hallucinations. I pray that I’ll overcome this. I hate myself for grabbing that first drink.

I was drinking 5 to 6 nights a week for like 10 years. And drinking 6 to 9 drinks each night. I never really felt withdrawal symptoms I guess because I never went longer than 24 hours without drinking. But my last drink was the night of February 28th 2023. And I did start having higher blood pressure and had a hard time sleeping the first week. I was moody. But after that it went away. It’s been 42 days now and I feel so great! I’ve lost 15 pounds and just over 3 inches from my beer gut. I also cut out sodas, sugar and started eating healthier. I’m not bloated, my blood pressure is actually all the way down to normal. My mind is clear. I just feel awesome. I have a friend that used to drink all day everyday and he tried to quit cold turkey. He had seizures. His blood pressure was so high he was getting nose bleeds. He was a mess. We finally talked him into taking 1 shot of vodka every few hours for a few days. Then after that 1 twice a day for a few days and then 1 once a day only if his withdrawal symptoms were bad enough. After almost two weeks he was able to go without any alcohol. And going through that was a real reality check for him. He’s been sober for over 10 years now. Alcohol withdrawal is so serious. Had I not seen him go through it I wouldn’t believe it. Withdrawals from meds like Xanax are very bad also. Seizures and you can have a heart attack. Years ago a lady died from withdrawal in line at the pharmacy waiting for her refill. She had been without it for a couple day’s waiting for her doctor to approve it. Then opiate withdrawals are dangerous also. So many substances that we can become addicted and or dependent on.

Thank You for the truth about the topic of alcohol and withdrawal. I did the January challenge of 30 days without alcohol. I am a social drinker, but I have noticed withdrawal symptoms, which is concerning because I have several family members who drink heavily

My uncle died walking across a field to the store to get beer. He was detoxing and waiting on my mom to leave after giving him some money. Sad man. Lifelong alcoholic. He taught me about the Beatles when i was a young teen. I will always thank him for that.

I was a functional alcoholic for many years in my early twenties,I drank at least a fifth every day for about three years and I'm also an epileptic...went through DTs 3 times trying to go cold turkey, and it damn near killed me. Seizures, hallucinations, I vividly remember laying on my bed, unable to move, knowing what I was seeing wasn't really there but it seemed very real; every single person I had ever met, former girlfriends, coworkers, family members, they were all lined up outside my door and one by one they would come into the room, walk up to the bed and look down at me, and then tell me every single thing I had ever done that let them down, how terrible I was , all my faults, and how I was a piece of shit essentially, then they would walk out through another door, and the next person would enter and the process would repea, for what felt like days. It was a nightmare. Truly. That was over a decade ago now, eventually I was able to get sober and I feel very grateful for that, and lucky to be alive,

My husband was one of the 1-5% that died as a result of alcohol abuse, even with medical assistance in an ICU. Dr. Kim provides good info, but I think it’s also important to stress GETTING THERAPY to deal with potential past traumas that may be causing you to abuse alcohol, realize what triggers you and how to cope with your traumas in a more healthy way. People drink to either feel something or to NOT feel something. Figure out your ‘why’ with the help of a therapist. It may be a painful and lengthy process, but it will be worth it, both mentally and physically. No one should have to see their spouse die right in front of them.

I’m a recovering heroin addict and I think alcohol is one of the worst drugs. At least you have to hunt heroin down…alcohol is everywhere, every street corner, every social event…it’s nasty.

I reading this comment cuz I'm starting over 6-12-23. Ive lost 90lbs on keto but i want stop the drinking now cuz i know I'll be healthier.

I went through all of these horrible symptoms numerous times. The worst part was when I tried to quit on my own but I was so deep into my alcoholism that no matter how much I drank the withdrawals wouldn't go away, the ONE thing that I knew I could rely on to make myself feel better no longer worked, I was on deaths door when I finally seeked help. Been sober for 8 years now and life is SO MUCH better.

This guy "Talks from his heels" -Meaning, he doesn't speak from script nor teleprompter(s)- he's speaking from his heart and his vast experience as an MD. More importantly, he seems really invested in the well being of all his viewers. Imagine the numbers of lives he's saved; Opiate-adicted lives, alcoholic-adicted lives. He's the most important KZfaq influencer in history, without hyperbole. Thank you, sir Doctor Kim.

As an alcoholic myself this is the type of help alot of us seek. Change is difficult but i really appreciate your video

Very informative video Dr. Kim....I had chronic alcohol addiction in my youth. I was introduced to AA in 1981 at age 26. It took another 4 years for me to finally throw in the towel. I have now been sober for over 38 years. I'm so grateful that the "summertime" of my life was not wasted. Now at 68 I can recall the words of the doctor in the ER when he said to me "Mr. Humphrey, decisions that you make now could greatly impact your life down the road"... That was then. 38 years later I know exactly what he meant.

My younger brother died at 29 because of alcohol abuse and self withdrawal. He needed to get professional help, but was in a bad place where he wasn’t able to … or wanted to. He thought even after potentially going to rehab, he could “socially drink.” If you need help. Get it. Don’t think you can do it on your own.

I started drinking heavily when I got out of the Army because I was injured and didn't see any options on what to do with my life at the time. I got really depressed and anxious. Fast forward a DUI and just stupidity on my part for over 12 years. I started having health problems and decided to try and stop drinking. To say that I went though extreme withdrawal is putting it lightly. All the physical stuff like sweating, cramping, and a bunch of other stuff was bad, but the worst part was when I started to have auditory and visual hallucinations. I ended up in the hospital for 3 months, 11 days of which were in a medically induced coma. From the day I got out, I try to spread the word on how dangerous withdrawals can be.

I’ve lost a bunch of friends from drinking, I knew it would get them eventually but I’d hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. It’s hard shaking your buddy’s hand for the last time and losing them at 40.

I will be one year sober tomorrow. Everything that you said resonated with me as I can attest to the symptoms you mentioned, the auditory and visual hallucinations, hiccups for days, I had a seizure at the hospital, my feet and hands curled inward and got stuck for hours, I couldn’t speak but I was wide awake, five horrible days in the hospital plus another week alone at home afterward that was the real challenge, every night was something different, no sleep for 6 days. thankfully with help from the dr’s and the meds they gave me I started to get better after two weeks and a month later I was back at work. Thanks to the incredible dr’s for their amazing help, I don’t know where I’d be without them. and thank you for this video had I watched it then it would’ve been so helpful but I’m still glad to know that it wasn’t just me.

Been sober for 15 years after being an active alcoholic for 25 years I was a binge drinker and would stay drunk for 3 to 21 days continuously. I went through mild to moderate withdrawal hundreds of times and severe withdrawal at least a dozen times. I was always alone and isolated from other humans so I had no medical support whatsoever. What this guy says is accurate but is very sugar-coated. There are a long list of symptoms that this guy doesn't even mention and what he does mention should scare the hell out of you as there is a very real chance you will die in a state of undescribable agony. Of course I understand that everybody is different and I can only describe my own experiences. If you think you have a problem with alcohol use, you probably do. Overtime it will always get worse. The only solution that I know of is to stop drinking and never go back. In some ways you'll be as screwed up as you ever were but at least you won't have that monster on your back anymore. Remember 50% of alcohol addicts will die as a result of their addiction. Good luck.

I was a heavy alcoholic for 20 years and remember going through all of this when I quit. I was in a medical rehab for a little over a month and had a seizure when I was there. 2 1/2 years I have been clean and sober. I like this vid and your channel. Making that change isn't as easy as some might think.

Wow, that was a really good video. My father had the hallucinations and the seizures. A lot of people who haven't been around a severe alcoholic are not aware of this stuff. I wish I had seen this video 42 years ago. Having access to people like you on KZfaq is something that wasn't available then. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

I’ve experienced alcohol withdrawal and been to a hospital multiple times within the past few years, including rehab. I’ve never used any other drugs outside of alcohol and pot. Haven’t touched pot since I was 18 and always hated it. Alcohol was my go to for depression. Thankfully I’m still alive today. The first time I experienced withdrawals, I didn’t know what to do or anything about it. I spent three days on a friends couch concerned that I might die. I’ve never had delirium, hallucinations, or seizures. However, I’ve felt absolutely terrible before and felt like I could possibly break out in a seizure at any moment. Like other drugs, often people use not to get high but to eliminate the withdrawal. I highly appreciate this video and wish the best for anyone out there struggling.

Man, I used to go through mild withdrawals, but they were still fucking absolute hell. Probably worse than opioid withdrawal because of the fear of actual dying from a seizure. Thank whatever it was that made my body just start rejecting alcohol. About a year ago, I decided to put down alcohol for as long as I could after waking up one day looking at all the 24s in my room that I hadn’t cleaned out cuz I was constantly drunk at that point. Just thought to myself ‘I’m way to young to be living like this’ (was 22 at the time) and after about a month I literally tried to relapse and couldn’t because I just puked it up unwillingly. I just can’t stand it anymore and it’s the weirdest thing because it used to own me.

23 years sober and SO grateful I never have to go through that again. I'll always have alcoholism, but I don't suffer from it.

You are a blessing from God my husband was rushed into weeks ago from severe years of drinking alcohol and tequila and what I witnessed him going through I would never wish upon my worst enemies. I have been frightened not sleeping and I didn’t realize the trimmers could hit at any time. Coming across your video and you explaining this has given me clarity and some calmness in my heart to understand and to know what to look out for it is one of the most scariest can’t even explain to watch the left one go through what I just witnessed and I thank you for this video and I hope you continue to educate us more so that we understand and noHow to deal with the situation I was feeling so lost until I just saw this video thank you from the heart

Videos like these are great. I can see in the comments it’s helping a lot of people. I can’t imagine how many people of just a generation or two ago died just from lack of readily available information like this. Combined with social acceptance of alcohol over the past millennia, the numbers are probably scary.

I went through this last week. I binge drank for years, and had my last drink on the Sunday before Labor Day (Monday). By Tuesday night, I got heavily fatigued, and a low grade fever, and extremely anxious. My resting heart rate was over 120 BPM. Because of the fever, I went the next day for a rapid covid test (Wednesday). It was negative. And I had absolutely no cold/flu/covid symptoms, other than this low grade fever, about 101. They checked my blood pressure and it was 164/97! I never had high blood pressure, before, and my normal resting heart rate is in the 60’s. My anxiety turned into complete paranoia. At night, I sweat until I was drenched. I had insomnia. Then, I heard my 4 year old son crying in the middle of the night. I jumped out of bed, checked his room, and he was totally silent and asleep. That’s when I realized I had been withdrawing. For about 4 days, I had auditory hallucinations, vivid nightmares, the heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety, panic, plus the low grade fever fluctuating between normal and 101F. I am done with alcohol and not going back. It feels great to wake up and know that I don’t have the burden of whether or not I’m going to drink today. I wanted to call 911, at one point, because I couldn’t drive myself to the doctor. I eventually did go. I now wonder if I was on the verge of DT. And, given that high heart rate and blood pressure, I wonder how close to a heart attack or stroke, I was. (I’m 44).

I’ve had the insects hallucination and thinking my whole family was in my house for a couple of days. Also really bad dreams when I finally fall asleep for a moment. This video made me cry because someone finally understands and explains the horror that I’ve gone through. Sometimes I’ve even been so afraid I wouldn’t be able to come out of this temporary feeling. I’m so glad you made this video. I finally feel understood.

I am so grateful for these comments make me no longer feel alone in this battle. Sending love to the collective in recovery.💜 Thank you for providing the space.🙏

You are a good man for how you presented this from a no shame no nonsense approach. I can tell you truly want to help people. The world needs more people like you.

One day sober. I hit the toilet about 15 times there's nothing in my stomach. Vomitted every hour. It's hard to breathe and i have a body ache feels like hell for one day

Damn. I just went through another detox last couple days. Alcoholic hallucinations n nightmares have happened the last few binges ive had. The battle continues. Thanks for sharing.

2 months sober. Never thought I could make it this far, thought it would kill me for sure. Thank you higher power, thank you AA.

I've read a lot of the comments and it's giving me motivation to try and put the bottle down. I'm 34 now and I have been drinking since about 12. Heavy drinking for sure since about 23. It's cost me jobs, relationships, I lost two of my dogs that I miss everyday, ruined reputation, lack of motivation, almost cost me my eye after a nasty fall and needing surgery.. And yet I still went back to it over and over again. I bought me an AA book and I'm ready to start my journey to soberness. 3 days without the bottle now and typing this in a full sweat but reading the comments are motivating me to keep pushing. Thanks everyone and continued success on your soberness.

I’ve been sober for probably 5 years. The last time I was in rehab I had the most insane hallucinations. The room I was in turned into the holodeck . I was outside in the rain walking around my home town with my mom. It was really crazy. The hallucinations were rock solid. They where not transparent.

Ive been sober for 16 years, i still get emotional, knowing that i missed out on so much of my college experience due to my illness. I thank God everyday for always being by my side, and never letting me die.

Thanks for getting this out. Most people think you can/should just stop. I used to drink like that. I've been sober now for 4 1/2 years now. God bless you. 🙏

I’ve been sober for 6 years, and wow do I wish I had this video back then. Well done sir

I learned my lesson! I drunk heavily for 6 weeks everyday and when I decided to stop cold turkey, I thought I was going to die. Today is day 6th and I’m just now recovering and will try my first meal in a week. Alcohol is a demon!

as someone that has several alcoholic seizures, what hes saying is 100 percent correct and accurate

Best explanation of alcoholics coming off alcohol. My son has had these issues for years. Thankyou

I was drinking 15 beers a Day for 10 years. The first 8 days sober were absolute hell!! Massive anxiety.. disoriented.. images in my mind when I closed my eyes.. scary as hell I thought I was actually crazy.. I told the dr that I think I'm schizophrenic or bipolar... He said.. no sunshine... That alcohol withdrawal..

I have decided to become sober. So thankful that I found your video. Very informative!

thank you for the information. i am going in this friday for medical detox to get the help i need. i have a daughter that needs her dad now more than ever. i have a beautiful job opportunity waiting for me if i get right. i have all the support from my family and friends and i know i can do this. thanks for taking some fear away. i got this. shout out to everyone thats struggling out there. hope is possible i believe to overcome this wicked disease. thank you for sharing my man

This is the most helpful explanation! I have a family member experiencing all of those symptoms. It's so hard to wrap your mind around how it happens. It was so bad, he had to drink constantly or he'd have a seizure.

I had my first drink in 3rd grade...the grain alcohol used in the ditto transfer machines at school (the "good kids" got to make the copies for the class in the seventies). I spent decades drinking, my final years at over a 5th a day starting with three shots before leaving the bed. I was certain that I was going to drink myself to death and couldn't do much about it. I was lucky. When I quit, I did so cold turkey and managed to do so without major physical withdrawal symptoms. I was inspired by someone I cared about in addiction recovery. It did take a good solid two years to learn how to function emotionally without alcohol. I've had a few isolated "research" sessions in the years since then, but have thankfully remained sober and appreciate the clarity it has brought me. I've often wondered how much of mental illness can be attributed to short term alcohol withdrawal present in daily drinkers who abstain through their work responsibilities.

Keep putting this content out there. I guarantee you someone is watching this who is on the fence on whether they should go to the ER or not. If this is you and you are experiencing these symptoms go. Speaking from experience. I spent 2 different times in ICU that lasted from 9-14 days and could've easily died. I believe I was spared to share the message to other alcoholics in AA that you can stop this insanity that we do to ourselves.

I'll never forget when I was 17, and at a local rehab, a girl ran into my room all excited and said, "The lady in detox is hallucinating!" I ran down and sat with her while she told us all about the birds outside the window... there was no window. This was in the 70s. I haven't drank since.🤷‍♀️

Thank you for this. I'm a registered nurse and I saw an older woman half an hour ago having difficulty outside a shop. So I went to help her, she was highly agitated, anxious and afraid. Her hands were shaking moderately but not her legs. She couldn't walk. A more experienced nurse who knew the lady appeared and she said straight away that it was DT. I have never seen it out in the community before - what a sad and frightening AND embarrassing situation for this poor lady:( 😢

I didn't think I had a problem with alcohol (or in major denial?) Until I decided to stop drinking wine 5 Day's ago. I'm so violently ill right now, it's worse than death. Unbearable nausea, vomiting, profusely sweating, violent tremors.... this is agonizing. Much love to all those struggling like this...

I been abusing alcohol for 3 years after I retired! Happy I found your vid! I have to stop and stop wasting my life! I decided to quit for good! I am 63 and afraid for my life!!

As a recovered alcoholic (I use the term recovered as I don’t believe I’m broken and permanently in recovery) I can say my life improved more drastically than I had ever expected. The day I put down the bottle I picked up the dumbbells. My last drink was Dec 8 2010. If I did it anybody can. I was a 26oz bottle of rum everyday drunk and I did that for years. I suspect I was lucky in my recovery and my focus on healthy habit replacement likely played a huge role on my road to sobriety. You can do it. Arm yourself with knowledge and a better understanding regarding the addition itself and make yourself accountable as it is ultimately your responsibility. I’m rooting for you!!!

Thanks for the truthful, honest information!! Sober 25 years now and you nailed it!! Thank Doc!! You may have saved some lives!!!!!

This is the best video that I have seen to help explain to my family that I am actually ill, and that I’m not drinking for fun. It literally is my medicine or I will possibly die. I am hoping to get back in to rehab. I’m seriously getting tired of everything. Good luck to everyone suffering with this awful addiction.

I was in the ICU for 6 days and almost died, I was drinking a gallon of tequila everyday. My withdrawal symptoms lasted about 8 weeks. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and it’s a daily battle every day 4 years later.

It's so refreshing to see content from a KZfaq creator that actually spent time practicing their script so there isn't a jump cut every 5 seconds. And downright impressive when a 13 minute video is almost one continuous shot 😎👍

Doc I can’t tell you how amazed I am at how passionate you are with your job. I had no idea people with alcoholism suffered from it. I’ll never call an alcoholic a drunk ever again.

The saddest thing I’ve experienced is my mind becoming clear & realizing how sick I’ve truly made myself with every severe withdraw. It almost feels as if I’m fighting the devil out of me. I look possessed. I’m never going to lose myself this bad again.