Recovery from alcoholism - timescales

[pitstopbunny]

What are the 'normal' timescales for recovery from alcoholism/drink dependency? I appreciated that everyone's body is going to react differently, I'm just after a guide on what to expect, This is based on a person who consumes approx 2 bottles of wine a day (min) and is going to detox without medication. I am aware of most of the symptoms but just not sure which ones hit and for how long they stay about for, and how long you suffer cravings for.

Also I have read that if the liver has only suffered from fatty deposits rather than anything more serious, how long does it take to recover itself with complete absintence?

Any advise would be apprecaites of a website that answers this clearlt without too much waffling!

[Loosehead]

Essentially an alcoholic is always and alcoholic, the effects on the body are usually totally reversable in a relatively short time but the effect on the mind is much longer lasting. The liver will regenerate itself even from a lot of damage. Once sober the alcoholic lives from day to day, many manage to stay "clean" but it's a never ending battle. The detox process is quite short, probably a couple of weeks of shakes and hullucinations and the patient should start to feel much better. Taking up exersize is also a good way to alleviate the discomfort. Good luck!

[jake-the-peg]

As Loosehead says it physically it rather depends on what the damage is.

Have a read here:

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068925/

it rather depends if it's just a fatty liver or hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Cravings? I've been dry for over 5 years and I still get a real craving for a beer or a glass of wine every few days I suppose.

In fact there's been a few questions on drink issues today and it's really begining to give me an itch right now!

[kazzianne]

this isnt me by the way!! lol.This post is a coincidence to mine this morning!

[WendyS]

A doctor whom I knew who used to work in an Alcohol Dependency unit once told me that he could count on the fingers of one hand the number of successful reformed alcoholics he treated. Alcoholism is a very serious disease and needs to be taken very seriously indeed.

An alcoholic will always have cravings. The only solution is to give it up completely for ever, because an genuine alcoholic will find it almost impossible to limit themselves to occasional social drinking.

If you try googling "cirrhosis symptoms and treatment", you'll probably find a lot of the information you are seeking, and Alcoholics Anonymous are also a valuable source of information.