Friend with drinking problem. Not really

[8978]

Talked to my friend yesterday. I didn't know this but he has a glass of whiskey every night before bed and says he sleeps like a baby. He has been slowly getting heartburn over the years and it's at the point it causes him real pain to drink. He takes prescription medicine for the heartburn but it doesn't work anymore when he drinks. He said the last straw was a few days ago when he took a drink and he doesn't know how it happened but he said he sounded like he was choking to death. Whiskey came out his nose and eyes and into his lungs. He said it was the most painful thing that ever happened to him. He said the stinging in his eyes lasted about 30 minutes and was like hot fire pokers.

So, he decided to stop drinking just like that and he did. I've known him for 20 years and never knew he drank. He said only before bed and not in front of anyone or in public. He's a high ranking officer in a large company.

When I talked to him yesterday he's only slept a few hours in 2 days. He said he just lays there trying and can't go to sleep.

My question is, did the lack of alcohol do this and if so, how long will it last? I told him to get some melatonin (SP?)

 

[Shadetree]

I'm not a Doctor, but this is a Trucker forum, so I can pretend to know as much as they do...

It definitely sounds like the lack of alcohol is the culprit, but only in as much as the alcohol was helping him sleep, so I think that it will last until he finds a substitute to help him sleep, like the melatonin you suggested. He's not a driver so he could actually take some kind of sleeping pills... Not sure what kind of shape he is in, but exercise before bed can help also. Or maybe he's lucky enough to live in a State like Colorado as I do and he could smoke a joint before bed. My wife tells me that they have some pretty good strains to help you sleep...

 

[Shadetree]

Sorry, I'm a Noob, just noticed that this was in the Doctor's forum.

 

[mndriver]

I'd ask your general doc for a referral to a cardiologist.

 

[Duck]

I'm not a Doctor, but this is a Trucker forum, so I can pretend to know as much as they do...

Sorry, I'm a Noob, just noticed that this was in the Doctor's forum.

That would've still been funny even if you did notice.

 

[Injun]

"A glass of whiskey..." How big a glass? He might have been drinking anough to equal a six-pack of beer or better every day. He has become, over the years, physically dependent on it...or, in short-speak, an alcoholic. Quitting drinking is only the first step in recovering and it's great he has done this. I'd strongly suggest do NOT trade the alcohol for some other substance, not even melatonin. The sleep problem won't last forever. His body and brain chemistry have to readjust to the absence of a powerful drug. It might take some time, but it will happen.

You don't have to be a smelly, penniless reprobate to be an alcoholic. Anyone can become one, especially if they engage in long-term, daily use. It's not a reflection on your friend's character.

It is common for those in early recovery to struggle with insomnia or a disturbed sleep pattern. This can lead to tiredness and fatigue during the day; it can also increase the experience of fuzzy thinking that people often complain about when they first become sober. Most people find that once they have been sober for a few weeks they regain the ability to enjoy a full night’s sleep. In fact the return to a normal sleep pattern can be one of the first signs that the individual is settling into the sober life.

Sleep Problems in Early Recovery

 

[Injun]

As for the "heartburn" he experienced: That is most likely the erosion of his esophagus caused by the corrosive effect of hard alcohol. That will heal, too, but I'd suggest an acid reducer like Zantac or Pepcid for a while. Avoid Omeprazole (Prilosec) and the like because it tends to deplete magnesium levels. His body needs time to heal itself before fiddling with his electrlytes.

 

[Sinister]

We tend to think my dad bled to death from a bleeding ulcer. Caused by drinking, not eating enough food, on and on.

That's not whats listed on the death certificate, but that's what we think happened, and given what I saw in his house, I tend to believe it.

Hard alcohol is corrosive to one's digestive system.

 

[8978]

He can't take Prilosec or any other over the counter, they don't work. He has a prescription medication for the heartburn. I don't know how much he drinks before bed, didn't ask him.

Spoke to him earlier and he went to bed at 11:30pm and didn't fall asleep until 4:30am and slept till 11:30am. That was without taking anything like melatonin. That sounded good to me. Me, I blink once and that's it, I'm out.

I have heartburn but not on a regular basis. I take Prilosec when I need to. Didn't know about the magnesium??? Wonder if that has something to do with my cramps?

 

[Sinister]

He probably drinks more than he's telling you.

 

[8978]

He probably drinks more than he's telling you.

He didn't tell me and I didn't ask. I know he doesn't drink during the day or when we go out. He likes to listen to live Blues Bands as I do and we never drink.

I like to drink but I have to be near a bed. I fall asleep pretty quick. I did a shot of Tequila once then poured another to go back and sit in Mr. Chair. I woke up about 10 minutes later with my nuts on fire after dumping it on my lap! Since then I only do a shot standing up then sit down.

 

[Duck]

He likes to listen to live Blues Bands as I do and we never drink.

Your age is showing, gramps.

 

[8978]

Your age is showing, gramps.

Lol....Blues Bands are big in the East. This isn't that down south blues. More like Rocking Blues like Stevie Ray and such.

 

[DrDaliah]

Agree with him needing to see a cardiologist and especially a gastroenterologist. The erosions and heartburn can cause a bleed. He may not be sleeping for a variety of reasons. Alcohol withdrawl is obvious and dangerous if done cold turkey. Many times we need to add a benzodiazepine to prevent DTs (delirium tremens) which can be deadly.

Makes you wonder why he needed to drink to fall asleep in the first place. Thyroid disorder, sleep apnea, anxiety. So much has to be offered to him in terms of help. Poor guy. Glad he has a good friend like you watching over him.