I know this is a joke, but having been through alcohol withdrawal many times from binge drinking for way to long. Its worse than any pain I've ever felt in my life; it's like inescapable shaky torture.
Really? How long does it take for that to start happening?
Daily drinker, here; longest I've gone in 2 years is one week. My hands were slightly shaky but that was the worst of it. I could still function just fine, but the depression was beginning to be too much.
Is alcohol the only drug you take? If so, that might have something to do with it. I've got other sources of dopamine to fall back onto when I'm not drinking, which probably helps with the withdrawal.
Yes, I've gone cold turkey (willingly or by mistake of being passed out until the stores are closed) maybe five or six times. Agreed, worst pain I've felt as well, never iller in my life.
If one seeks treatment, there are medications (typically Benzos) to manage the withdrawal. I've done it this way three or four times and it's absolutely the way to go.
This is very real, in my case it wasn't about the depression but improved mental state was quite obvious even after several days without drinking. This and much better sleep. Maybe it goes hand in hand
Before they were sober, they felt depressed for no reason, now that they're sober they can see many reasons to be depressed.
I do agree, though, that in reality a healthy diet, keeping off depressants like alcohol, having a good night's sleep, and exercises (even light exercise) are all key factors to a better mental state.