I Survived Delirium Tremens—The Truth About Alcohol Detox
For some, sobriety starts with a decision. For others, it starts with a shotgunned beer in the back of a social worker’s car on the way to detox—fully aware that it might be the last one ever.
This is the story of Jordan, who didn’t just quit drinking—he clawed his way out of hell. In an eye-opening conversation on the Sober Strong Podcast, Jordan shares how alcohol nearly ended his life, what he saw during the worst of his withdrawals, and how he's now using his experiences to fuel music, writing, and self-recovery.
To hear the full conversation and all the unfiltered moments, 🎧 listen to the full episode on the Sober Strong Podcast:
It's more than an interview—it's a mirror for anyone who's ever wondered if it's too late to change.
When Enough Finally Is
Like many who’ve wrestled with alcohol, Jordan’s road to recovery wasn’t a straight line. “I wasn’t drinking to party anymore—I was drinking to survive,” he shared. Over three relentless weeks, he consumed more than a liter of vodka a day. Rock bottom wasn’t a singular crash—it was cumulative: lost jobs, broken relationships, and mental unraveling.
That day, en route to a detox center in British Columbia, he shotgunned a beer. It wasn’t defiance. It was fear. Fear of quitting. Fear of not quitting.
Inside the Storm: What Delirium Tremens Feels Like
Delirium Tremens (DTs) is a term thrown around in addiction circles—but few truly understand what it means unless they've lived through it.
For him, the hallucinations weren’t just scary—they were real. Trees bending like underwater kelp. Faces forming in murals. Conversations with people who weren’t there. “It was like a bad acid trip mixed with a coma. But I was awake.”
DTs can be fatal, especially when unmanaged.
“You can die from this,” he said. “And I should have. The shakes, the voices, the screaming ants crawling from the walls—it’s not poetic. It’s death in slow motion.”
Sobriety Isn’t Just Quitting—It’s Rebuilding
After multiple failed attempts at sobriety—including one year sober to impress someone else—it finally stuck. The difference? Jordan did it for himself.
And he did it differently:
Psilocybin mushrooms, which helped ease the urge to drink.
Relentless fitness—starting with shaking hands and finishing with deadlifts.
Diet overhaul, including carnivore protocols and amino support.
Creative channeling through music and writing.
The result? A deeply personal memoir titled Scars for Future Wars, filled with raw reflections and survival insights—written not for sympathy, but for solidarity.
A Personal Take on Sobriety Paths
He doesn’t hold back on what didn’t work.
AA? “Not for me,” he admitted. “Too much ego, too much hierarchy.” Rehab? “Twice in, twice disappointed.”
But he’s quick to acknowledge what does work—for others. “If AA saves your life, amazing. But there’s more than one road to recovery now.”
Alternatives he explored and supports include:
Smart Recovery
Therapeutic coaching
Holistic detox plans
Peer-led communities
Facing Triggers Without a Bottle
One surprising trigger? Caffeine. After too much coffee, anxiety skyrocketed—mimicking withdrawal symptoms. “It tricked my brain into thinking I needed alcohol to calm down.”
His solution?
Guitar sessions
Micro-rewards for sober milestones
Open conversation with other sober friends
The key? Learning to sit with discomfort and not run from it.
What 600 Days of Sobriety Can Buy You
Financially, Jordan has saved over $35,000. Physically, he’s stronger than he’s ever been. Emotionally, he’s awake again. He isn’t chasing the bottle—he’s chasing life.
But the memories remain. “I still have drinking dreams. I wake up sweating, heart pounding. But I wake up sober.”
The difference now? He doesn’t numb the hard stuff—he feels it, faces it, and learns from it.
Final Word: Born Again, Built by Fire
If you’re at the edge of quitting—or feel like you’ve failed too many times—know this:
You are not alone.
You are not broken.
You are not done.
This story proves recovery isn’t reserved for the lucky—it’s built by the ready.
Ready for Your Reset from Alcohol?
If this story resonated, don’t wait for another rock bottom. Get help, get honest, and get moving.
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