Alchohol & Benzo problem - advice wanted

[welshmick]

SWIM thinks this site is brilliant, but SWIM can't find any advice on a this particular combination of addictions.

SWIM is 56 years old, not working now.

SWIM has been a social drinker ever since he was 18 years old. Only problem was occasional over indulgence resulted in hangover.

SWIM was self employed since 1999.

SWIM got very stressed on one particular contract, seen a doctor a was prescribed Diazepan. Eventually got up to about 30mg a day. Repeat prescriptions were issued when ever SWIM asked.

SWIM used to drink then, but just a few beers, no problems.

Lately all doctors at my surgery changed, they reduced SWIMS Diazepan to 10 mg maximum a day.

SWIM started drinking white wine, maybe bottle & half, instead of beer, just in the evenings.

Developed very unpredictable bowel movements. Read an article about white spirits being kinder than wine so I switched to vodka lately and did get up to a bottle a day.

Current situation is that SWIM does a maximum of 1/4 bottle of vodka a day, but am spreading this across a day. Little glass at lunchtime, rest in the evening.

Now my doctor has reduced my Diazepan to a max of 4mg a day.

Ended up in hospital, couple a weeks back because SWIM did do bad binge Wine & Vodka.

Now one doctor told SWIM not to quit alchohol but to taper it.

But two other doctors, SWIMS regular issuing the 4 mg of diazepan a day and another at the hospital say SWIM is washing the Diazepan out, thats why it's not effective.

SWIM feels that a little vodka enhances the diazepan, and makes SWIM feel better.
So SWIM is confused as weather to taper or quit alchohol completely.

SWIM has attended a WALES DRUG & ALCHOHOL service. They were very nice but seemed more interested in SWIMS background family circumstances etc.

SWIM has another appointment next week, and is supposed to be having some acupunture therapy.

Last time SWIM attended, SWIM needed 8mg of Diazepan to get there, and still had such bad tremors, SWIM could not write anything down for the consultant. We got by that though.

SWIM still has major tremors for first two hours after getting up whilst diazepan takes effect, it helps a little but is unpredictable. Works some days better than others.

SWIM is complete insomniac. SWIM now has no confidence in making any appointments. Afraid to drive whilst shaking even if no alchohol consumed.

SWIM must also confess to smoking lots of MJ in the past, but has had none now for 10 days.

Any advice or comments appreciated.

[missparkles]

Sparkles would ask the doc for a Librium (chlordiazepoxide?) taper, never stop either alcohol or benzo's abruptly.
Unfortunately, with both substances it's not gonna be easy to quit, but it can be done.
SWIY needs to sit down with his doctor and ask him to refer SWIY to a specialised counselor, someone who can help him work out what's bothering him, and look at other ways he can cope with his problems.
Sparkles knows how difficult this can be, she's 54 and has been using drugs of one kind or another most of her life. She never thought she could cope on nothing.
But she could, and she is, and it's so much better than anything she could have imagined.
So she'd advise the OP to work out what he want to do, write it down at home, where he feels safe. And take that along to the doc.
Remember, even though you may not feel any effect from alcohol or benzo's, they are still working, and they affect your driving ability. Also you could be stopped and breathalysed the next day, after a drinking session the night before, be aware of this.
That would just add to your problems.
If you need to talk about anything, if you're worried, you can always PM Sparkles.
She's good at listening.
Take care.
Sparkles.

[welshmick]

Thanks MissSparkles sounds like SWIM has to taper both substances slowly.

THIS has been the advice SWIM have found whilst reading other sites.

It's just that most people seem to get DIAZEPAN in order to fight the alchohol withdrawal.

Don't understand why SWIM is treated different.

The doctor seems to be interested in ticking boxes.

SWIM currently has a prescription for TEGROL RETARD which SWIM has never filled.

Just seems like something else to get addicted to.

ALSO SWIM has been given MIRTAZPINE/REMERON....SWIM thinks.

and Cipralex SRRI which nearly killed SWIM.

In the UK, it seems GP's are being forced to get peeps off benzos.

But as countless WEB articles will testify, SRRI's could turn out to be worse.

Thoughts welcome,
Coping strategies very very welcome.
Thanks for your interest.