Introduction

[zdsd44]

Hello to everyone in this online community! I’m EXTREMELY new to this. I have been reading some of the posts that have been recently added and it seems like there are some really good people here trying to help those like myself to quit drinking.  You all should feel good about the support you’re offering!

I don’t really know where to begin about myself or how these forums work. I haven’t sought any type of treatment or help.  I haven’t spoken to my doctor and haven’t gone to any friends or family because I feel a bit ashamed of my habit. I’m 29 years old and have been a drinker since college. Over the past few years I have been drinking almost every night – some nights heavy, others somewhat moderately.  I’m normally a very social person and now I find myself making any excuse imaginable to stay at home. I feel that drinking is taking over my life and has affected my appearance. I’ve never really been self conscious at all as I have always had self confidence; however, that is not the case for a little while. I feel that my mind is always in a fog, I’m very forgetful when usually extremely sharp (my friends would always refer to me as the encyclopedia b/c I always knew the most random of things to the detail).  I also used to be a three sport varsity athlete and I feel as though the alcohol makes you extremely lazy – anyone know if this is true?

I’ve read a lot of things about alcohol withdrawal and I’m not too sure how serious it could be for me. I’ve read about a drug called Naltrexone that your doctor could prescribe in order to reduce the cravings so to speak.  I had also read that you can lower what you normally drink daily by half the amount the first week and continue to drop that amount by the second week and to completely abstain the third to lessen the withdrawal symptoms. This was an approach I was considering. Anyone have any thoughts? I would appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

[Tink70]

Look and see if there are any state funded rehab places.  Have you applied for government aide?  Alot of times you can go to a rehab facility for free through the government aide.  (That is the case in Washington state) I don't know where you live so - you can check it out.  Just focus on QUITTING!  Not "cutting down" or "changing the type"!  QUITTING!  If you are a true alcoholic, you won't "cut down" for long!  You can deal with all the "other issues" when you are sober.  When you get sober - try out an AA meeting.  You can go to one while you are still drinking, too.  I had to go to rehab to quit.  I went to AA meetings while I was still drinking and it didn't do me a lot of good.  I just felt worse about myself and the drinking but once I got the alcohol out of my system and was sober - I was able to go to AA and "get it".  
Take Care
Tink

[rod44]

You are correct to be concerned, unfortunately the only one who can deal with these issues is your Family Doctor.

The road to recovery can be a rough one but it is well worth it. I was in rehab and it some thing I would suggest, however your stay in rehab is over all too soon and then it out into the big bad world, you need to have some kinda support network to help you through this time.

AA is not faultless….it is not perfect, it works for some not for others, go with an open mind.

AA worked and still works for me, there are other alternatives but as I have not had experience of these I can not comment on them. Recovery is successful only if you truly want it and are prepared to work at it.
Could you go to a wedding or a family occasion, a bar or a party and not drink?
Ray  

[zdsd44]

Thanks Ray, you brought up some things that I didn't really think about. Here I am only considering getting to stop drinking I haven't even thought about what happens after that.
I'm putting a lot of focus on the many issues of stopping b/c I am a little nervous of the health risks that I have read about and for the obvious that I first need to stop.
Don't get me wrong, I have never ruled out AA so please don't misunderstand that. I guess I remained focused on one issue and haven't thought about what some of the other issues are that I need to begin thinking about and addressing.
I've read some other posts and there seems to be many different avenues that you can choose from, including AA. I see that some people AA doesn't seem to work (for reasons that I do not know) and they may try to see a therapist or enter a rehab facility.
I haven't really thought about any of this before.
The point you made about how am I going to deal with a tragic encounter in the future made me a bit nervous. I can't remember the last time I dealt with an issue w/o drinking. I really appreciate your posts and advice Ray.

[rod44]

Ok I don’t know about the medical issues but would advise any one stopping to get medical help first.
The problem I have with your proposed way of stopping is
You are not dealing with the reasons for your problem, yhe underlying issues.
What happens if you encounter problems in your life that you cannot deal with. From my own experience this was when I turned to drink the most
When I stopped I had major emotional baggage that I am still sorting out today 7 years after I stopped including self confidence issues. This is why I recommend self-help groups like AA and other such groups. You have the camaraderie of people who know exactly what you are going through.
So see what feedback you get from others,
ray

[zdsd44]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Ray, some of the material that I had read on the internet did say that in the most severe of cases that withdrawal can result in tremors and possibly seizures. It did mention that that is extremely rare and usually results in about 5% of people that are severe alcoholics. Have you been told by a doctor or seen something that said you could have a heart attack with withdrawal from alcohol? I did hear that a heart attack can result from withdrawal from drugs such as crack cocaine, etc. That also made me nervous. I read that in the UK their rehabilitation clinics will slowly get the patient to abstain by cutting their usual amount by half every week (again, w/ patients that are willing and able - this is NOT for every patient).
I have been starting to do this the past few nights. I only drink at night (special occasions such as Christmas will have one during the day) and I can have as much as 6-10 glasses of wine. The past three nights I've had 2-3 glasses later in the evening and was able to stop. I'm going to try to stick with this for the full week then lower to 1-2 glasses then stop the nightly binge.
I really have to make this work. I don't have health insurance right now and I'm not sure how much it would cost for a doctor. The past couple of days I've noticed what people are discussing over anxiety. I feel as though I have a lot more of it - does anyone know if this is normal? Or is this normal since I'm drinking much less than I usually do?      

[rod44]

Just be aware that seizures and other medical issues could arise as a consequences of withdrawals so it is best to be under the care of a medical practitioner when stopping.
Ray    

[20years]

Wow - reading this I felt like half of it was my story except I started drinking in high school and am 33. I am just joining this group today and have been looking over the blog today as well. I think I am really realizing all of the negative impacts alcohol has had on my life. I am able to not drink, but when I do I am a total binge drinker and black out. Then I'm anxious about that and start the cycle again. I think many people in my life would be surprised by this info so I am looking to do it anonymously... and this seems like it could be the place. I am going to quit cold turkey. In regard to withdrawals.. they shouldn't be too bad. You could be shakey and feel anxious for the first couple days.. it should pass by a week. If you could get a couple anti-anxiety meds to get you through those days and help you sleep but you don't want to get hooked on those. (and it is evident that we have addictive personalities). I think it's great that you are ready to stop this. Did you figure out why you were doing it in the first place? That is a key question for you to consider. For me it was all rooted in anxiety and then the physical addiction.. where I have one and my body just keeps craving more.. always the last one up. You could try cutting back but do you have that amount of control when your drinking? I don't and that is the first realization that I had today and it is freeing~ I can't drink like other people so I am going at it cold turkey. GOOD luck to you. Be proud of yourself for taking the first step.

[rod44]

Hi,
Well you have taken the first step in recovery, you have admitted you have a problem.
Next step is talk to your doctor, you can and should go to an AA meeting. You can check for meetings near you at www.aa.org
For now the important thing is stay away from ONE drink.
Ray