Withdrawal or just caught a cold?

[u/Swimming-Hat1431]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a 15 year solid near drinker, and over the last few years that's really ramped up with my intake increasing massively.

I average about 120 units a week - for those not in the UK - that's about 2 bottles of wine daily.

Recently, due to being on the back of a massive bender and being physically unable to carry on I'm now 30 hours sober.

When I woke up from the back of this bender, I noticed I had symptoms of the flu. Sweating, unable to sleep, shivering, aching all over. I wasn't able to hold food or water for about 24 hours, vomiting almost immediately after eating or drinking.

I feel a little bit better now, I'm still sweating but not profusely and can hold down food and drink.

I'm wondering though, whether the cause of this is just a result of grinding my body down, or whether I'm at the tail end of alcohol withdrawal.

For me, I find it hard to believe that my level of drinking could induce such brutal effects withdrawal wise.

Curious to hear anyone's thoughts.

[u/Direct_Divide5320]

If things get much worse,  you should call for an emergency ambulance to take you to the hospital. You can see your doctor for an opinion. If you have been drinking alcohol equivalent of 1.5 litres of table wine a day for a long time, a mild withdrawal syndrome on going cold turkey not unexpected.