Hello everyone. I haven't posted for a while but I read your posts everyday. My drinking is the absolute worse it has ever been. I have tried to quit several times but the withdrawals are so bad I just drink again to feel better. Finally, I decided to see a doctor and I have an appointment on Monday. If I don't stop now, I know this will kill me. I can't do that to my kids. I'm really scared so any advice you can give me to help make the withdrawal process easier, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks to all.
Of course, it's entirely up to the doctor. Withdrawals can be dangerous and, depending upon the nature of yours, they may insist you're admitted. In fact, from what I understand, alot of the treatment centers encourage admission for that fact alone.
Anyway, you CAN be prescribed a mild sedative like Librium to ease the physical symptoms (they only last a couple days or nights anyway) and follow it up with Campral, but the biggest thing is to keep from any more "hair of the dog," and there are a couple meds that can do that. Naltrexone is one, Disulfiram (Antabuse) is another. With Antabuse you CAN NOT DRINK OR YOU WILL BE SICK. It's the psychological portion of the addiction that you really need to focus on. There are groups like AA, SoS, individual counseling, Cognitive Learning, and so forth that offer help in this area but YOU gotta WANNA do it. And keep doing it. It's an addiction that has to be addressed.
Of course, I'm sure there are other experiences, too....
Anyway, you CAN be prescribed a mild sedative like Librium to ease the physical symptoms (they only last a couple days or nights anyway) and follow it up with Campral, but the biggest thing is to keep from any more "hair of the dog," and there are a couple meds that can do that. Naltrexone is one, Disulfiram (Antabuse) is another. With Antabuse you CAN NOT DRINK OR YOU WILL BE SICK. It's the psychological portion of the addiction that you really need to focus on. There are groups like AA, SoS, individual counseling, Cognitive Learning, and so forth that offer help in this area but YOU gotta WANNA do it. And keep doing it. It's an addiction that has to be addressed.
Of course, I'm sure there are other experiences, too....
Hi Lost Mom...
When I quit, the first thing I did was go to an AA meeting and find others who had success in doing this...as far as the physical part, I just let my body heal, baby steps and only did what I could do, I didn't push it...I remember it being difficult to sleep for the first few weeks so I watched my favorite movies late at night until I could fall asleep...Keep posting as it helps to talk about it. Good luck and I'll say a prayer for you...It can be done, one day at a time...
(((hugs))))
Stacey
When I quit, the first thing I did was go to an AA meeting and find others who had success in doing this...as far as the physical part, I just let my body heal, baby steps and only did what I could do, I didn't push it...I remember it being difficult to sleep for the first few weeks so I watched my favorite movies late at night until I could fall asleep...Keep posting as it helps to talk about it. Good luck and I'll say a prayer for you...It can be done, one day at a time...
(((hugs))))
Stacey
Hey Lostmom how the hell are ya?
Missed your posts and glad to see you back and willing to change.
I know it's bloody scary thinking about life without the old comfort of alcohol and i know the struggle to stop. Hang in there sort out some contacts with people you know who are sober and use there knowledge and life experience.
If you like give AA a go as it does help and if you have the acess to a treatment centre use it.
I know for me that when i finally met up with other alkys i realised i was not alone and as insane as i thought and i haven't looked back okay there has been some bloody scary times but thats when a telephone contact is handy 24/7 and meetings helped and most of the fear was created in my mind and never actually happened but hey thats hindsight.
I must admit every time i was stressed the fridge or coffee pot took a hammering and yes the weight went up, although i needed it.
What sealed it all for me was if i drank i was going to die by my own hand drinking poison(weedkiller) and in my last week of drinking the only reason i didn't was i got to drunk and blacked out.
My will to live and okay at that stage i liked attention are what kept me alive, because i realised i would get a lot of attention at the funeral which was no fn good to me because i would of been dead.
Sorry for the burble Lostmom but in my eyes you are not lost but just ever so gratefuly finding yourself, keep posting no matter what and try not to get caught up in the fearspace in your head alone
Light and love Zac
Missed your posts and glad to see you back and willing to change.
I know it's bloody scary thinking about life without the old comfort of alcohol and i know the struggle to stop. Hang in there sort out some contacts with people you know who are sober and use there knowledge and life experience.
If you like give AA a go as it does help and if you have the acess to a treatment centre use it.
I know for me that when i finally met up with other alkys i realised i was not alone and as insane as i thought and i haven't looked back okay there has been some bloody scary times but thats when a telephone contact is handy 24/7 and meetings helped and most of the fear was created in my mind and never actually happened but hey thats hindsight.
I must admit every time i was stressed the fridge or coffee pot took a hammering and yes the weight went up, although i needed it.
What sealed it all for me was if i drank i was going to die by my own hand drinking poison(weedkiller) and in my last week of drinking the only reason i didn't was i got to drunk and blacked out.
My will to live and okay at that stage i liked attention are what kept me alive, because i realised i would get a lot of attention at the funeral which was no fn good to me because i would of been dead.
Sorry for the burble Lostmom but in my eyes you are not lost but just ever so gratefuly finding yourself, keep posting no matter what and try not to get caught up in the fearspace in your head alone
Light and love Zac
How ya doin' LM? Glad you're back, it's not always easier being a sober Mom (boy how I know that as of late), but it certainly is way better than being a drunk Mom for you and everyone, although it may not feel like it right now, you are worth it and so are your kids...there is a solution and there is hope.
Hi everyone. Thank you for all the advice. I really appreciate it! I am going to the doctor this morning. I hope she can help. I hope she understands. It's funny, every Monday morning I wake up feeling horrible. This morning I felt this strange feeling of well being. I guess it's because I am finally taking a step in the right direction. Anyway, I'll let you know what happens!
Hey Lost,
I hope everything went ok for you at the doctor.
A day at a time
Wendy
I hope everything went ok for you at the doctor.
A day at a time
Wendy
Hey everyone. Well, I went to the doctor and of course, got the usual crap. I really don't think she knew what to do. She didn't examine me or ask if I was having any pain or digestion problems. All she did was give me a blood test to check my liver enzymes-she didn't order a test for any other of my organs that could have suffered damage. She said she couldn't give me anything to help with the withdrawals nor could she prescribe me Campral. Instead, she referred me to a place I've already been (and I told her from the beginning that I could not go into an inpatient facility since I am a single mom with two kids and I have no friends or family nearby to help)Then she started on the counseling/AA etc stuff. I have been planning this for a while and am very educated on the subject. I already know all that stuff! Why is it so hard to get help when you need it and WANT it? If my addiction was nicotine, there is help everywhere! God, it's like doctors don't know what to do with us. No wonder why people give up. But I'm not giving up!
Hey Lost mum,
Hows things going,
Good to see you back here!!
Im not on that often nowdays due to work ,
Go with flow of the blood test for liver testing, It is a good start,
I had the same thing, But I wasnt ready to stop drinking when they told me my liver wasnt up to sctratch, when I decided it was time to stop, they had the blood tests etc, and a few more doors opened to where I could go, Like you they suggested in house residential thing, no good to me I had a mortgage and a job that if they knew I had a drinking problem I wouldnt have a job, due to the nature of what I was carting,
maybe wait for the results and then there maybe some where you can hook on to to the campral, I used it I know its good stuff, it should be handed out freely!
Ask Izzy as well she is on it and doing great,
What country do you live in?
If Oz I can guide you to a place that will help you with getting campral,
Keep strong,
Ginge
Hows things going,
Good to see you back here!!
Im not on that often nowdays due to work ,
Go with flow of the blood test for liver testing, It is a good start,
I had the same thing, But I wasnt ready to stop drinking when they told me my liver wasnt up to sctratch, when I decided it was time to stop, they had the blood tests etc, and a few more doors opened to where I could go, Like you they suggested in house residential thing, no good to me I had a mortgage and a job that if they knew I had a drinking problem I wouldnt have a job, due to the nature of what I was carting,
maybe wait for the results and then there maybe some where you can hook on to to the campral, I used it I know its good stuff, it should be handed out freely!
Ask Izzy as well she is on it and doing great,
What country do you live in?
If Oz I can guide you to a place that will help you with getting campral,
Keep strong,
Ginge
Hey LostMom. Remember, we said they MIGHT prescribe you something. Most medical professionals treat symptoms, not causes. You'd want to know if you'd totally screwed up your liver anyway, right? Treating causes is more likely something a psychiatrist would consider. Many are progressive enough to work with you. You could make an appointment with them and ask if it's possible to handle as an outpatient--provided you continue your resolve and show up. Remember, you're not going to be cured--this addiction thing is a life-long thing--like asthma--that you'll have to keep an eye on BUT there's none of the debilitating effects if you're working it.
You say you already know all the psychological stuff, and that's good, so you know you've got to stay with it,right? Not everyone's comfortable with AA and there are other routes--SOS, individual counseling, etc.--but it's got to be delt with. If your addiction were nicotine you'd be telling yourself, "I can't even have just one, because I'll be back smoking two packs a day in a matter of a week." Same thing. One's too many and ten is not enough.
Don't blame it on the medical field--they're into treatment of physical problems. Alcohol addiction doesn't manifest itself as a physical ailment until you've pretty well killed yourself and destroyed everything. Stay ahead of it and get help....
You say you already know all the psychological stuff, and that's good, so you know you've got to stay with it,right? Not everyone's comfortable with AA and there are other routes--SOS, individual counseling, etc.--but it's got to be delt with. If your addiction were nicotine you'd be telling yourself, "I can't even have just one, because I'll be back smoking two packs a day in a matter of a week." Same thing. One's too many and ten is not enough.
Don't blame it on the medical field--they're into treatment of physical problems. Alcohol addiction doesn't manifest itself as a physical ailment until you've pretty well killed yourself and destroyed everything. Stay ahead of it and get help....
