How do you stop drinking?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2005
How do you stop drinking?
12
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 6:54am

hello everyone,


I posted on this board one other time....not sure if you remember me.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 7:54am

Hi there - Yes, I remember you and I am glad you came back. There are other options besides AA, and I strongly urge you to look into them. AA works for me. I was a full time employee and a mother of a small child when I first got sober. Problem was I couldn't be a mother or good employee when I was drunk. An hour a day going to AA seemed like a small price to pay - it was better than being drunk for hours on end on a daily basis. Many psychologists are helpful - especially if they are familiar with the disease concept of alcoholism. You would need to be totally honest about your drinking in order for a professional to help you. There are other options to stop drinking, but most of them require that you admit you have a problem, accept support and help, and make some changes in your life.

This is your life - and the future of your children, as well. Whatever method you choose to get sober, we will support you. But please, get help. You deserve a full and happy future!
Leslie

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2004
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 9:57am

Welcome back truly blessed!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 1:01pm

It's interesting. I don't think I would have cut down my drinking had I not gone to a psychologist. He helped me a lot. I didn't even go there about the drinking. I went for depression and panic.

I think therapy is a great place to start. Plus, you can be totally honest about your drinking and he/she won't even bat an eye.

Good luck,

Lucky

Avatar for carol777
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 3:05pm

Hello again...

Do you have a plan for de toxing?
That can be dangerous without medical supervision/advice.

I suggest you get more factual info

My favorite book on alcoholism is
"Under The Influence"
and it has a sequel..."Beyond The Influence"

Both can be ordered from Amazon...

Take care

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2005
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 3:36pm

I had no idea de toxing was dangerous.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2006
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 3:54pm
Hi there,
I'm a newbie, and yours is the first message I read. Let me tell you I am in the same boat, although maybe in a little deeper. I will tell you this because maybe it will scare you enough to take serious action. I used to drink 3-4 times a week, but I would drink up to 2 bottles of wine, so it was a lot. I became unemployed about 3 months ago, and started drinking every night. About 2-3 weeks ago I started noticing "the sweats" the following day - nothing major, I would just feel like I was, I don't know, "glowing". Well about a week ago, I thought I might have had the shakes. As of yesterday, it's official, I have tremors, I am definitely physically addicted. It didn't take long. Although I was a heavy drinker I could go 3, 4, 5 days and feel no effect, no withdrawals, nothing. Not now, 3 months later and I'm in deep. Do you know how scary it is to watch your arms twitch? It was bad enough that typing was hard, you lose control over your hands. I was in the grocery store yesterday and I felt like other people could see that I was having tremors. It's humiliating. I'm scared. I'm completely alone in this. For the very first time just now, I had to drink a beer to "get right" (to stop my arms from shaking.) Like you, I usually didn't start until 6 or 7.
Did you know that withdrawing from alcohol can kill you? It's the only drug where that's the case. You can have seizures, you can suffer permanent nerve damage, your vitals can soar off the charts and you can have a stroke, YOU CAN DIE. (I honestly did not know that, had no idea until last week.) It's best done in a hospital or treatment center, where they can monitor you and keep you sedated. Once you're addicted, you're hosed. Don't let it get to that point. **DO NOT LET IT GET TO THAT POINT!!** Do something NOW, before you are physically dependent. I am scared to death and don't know what to do. I am going to try and taper but may end up checking in somewhere, with no insurance and no one to take care of my house and pets that is not going to be easy, but at this point it's that, or die. You think you're embarrassed now? Wait until in-patient treatment is the only option. Oh, and from what I understand, doctors hate alcoholics more than anyone except attempted suicides, don't expect sympathy.
I hope this isn't too harsh - I wish I had had someone tell me this, although I probably wouldn't have listened, I never knew how close to being physically addicted I was, *that* wasn't going to happen to *me*! haha. If you are drinking every night, you are closer than you think. Get help now. Do it for your kids.
Best of luck and blessings to you.
Peace.
Avatar for carol777
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 3:59pm

This is from my files...I do not have the source. Sorry.

If you plan to stop drinking all at once, you must have medical supervision for your detox if any of the following are true for you:

1. If you have a history of blood pressure that is higher than 140/90.
2. If you have used more than a six pack of beer daily, more than six 4 oz. glasses of wine or more than eight ounces (half a pint) of liquor per day for over a year.
3. If you have had prior withdrawal symptoms, such as depression or agitation.
4. If you have ever had seizures for any reason, and in particular if you have had alcohol DT's.
5. If you are using any other (either illegal or prescription) drugs in combination with the alcohol. This particularly includes benzodiazepines such as Valium, Librium or Xanex.

Withdrawal from significant or long standing alcohol use can be a serious process. Keep yourself safe as you make this change. You are taking a very important and brave step.

Withdrawal symptoms can include depression, insomnia, sweating, tremulousness, agitation, irritability, and brain "fog."

Bleeding, swings in blood pressure, convulsuations, heart palpitations and hallucinations...means the ER.

Withdrawal usually starts 4-6 hours after the time you usually have your alcohol. If you drink every day at 6:00 PM, you will begin to experience discomfort that evening. If you have been a heavy drinker, your doctor may prescribe short term medication which will minimize the possibility of having seizures during detox.

Avatar for carol777
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 4:17pm

Very poweful post bobbiinco

Welcome to our board!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2006
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 4:39pm
Thank you Carol. I was hoping it wasn't too harsh-sounding, but at the same time, I wish someone had scared me straight. Now it's the real deal, I'm in trouble.
I'll be around for sure. I have no idea how I'm going to do this, I only know I have no choice. It's inspiring to read all the posts from sober people, especially when they talk about how much better life is. Because right now, I can't imagine getting through an evening, not to mention all the rest of them, without drinking. AA, exercise, new friends, new hobbies, that's what I gathered so far.
Now I know what they mean by one day at a time.
Thanks again :)
Bobbi
Avatar for carol777
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-08-2006 - 5:14pm

I too am a no nonsense type member...
I think I am on some "ignore" list!! LOL

If my shares help just 1 person see the truth
I am a success in my recovery.

I just started a new thread "My De Tox"
that is what happened to me April '89.

There is help and hope and we all can recover.
Each day sober is a victory.

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