Enough is enough : nightly drinking

[Catnap]

SWIM has been drinking nightly for several years. SWIM feels terrible during the day and her bank balance has really suffered. SWIM has hours missing from her memory, her skin is really bad and she just feels like crap.

So, SWIM is going cold turkey from today. SWIM doesnt want to be dependent on alcohol and realises it doesnt solve her problems. SWIM is going to take a vitamin B complex and Magnesium supplement to try and help her body.

SWIM is worried how she will cope without it though. Can anyone offer SWIM any advice about coping with alcohol withdrawal? SWIM does not get physical withdrawal symptoms but feels she is mentally dependent as she uses alcohol to get away from her problems and depression.

Please wish SWIM luck

[oxyc]

Swiy should know that alcohol withdrawl can be life threatening if not done correctly, how much is swiy drinking at the moment?
Alcohol withdrawl is more dangerous than opiates withdrawl it can cause seizures and fits, swim would advise talking to a doctor before attempting this, swim has detoxed many times before in hospital and out of hospital and was always given librium to do this, its not so bad if you havent been drinking a lot for long but if consuming large amounts over a long period it can be extremely dangerous to go cold turkey

[welshmick]

SWIM said....

I'm in the same position.

It's a bugger you get told to get off booze, but always warned not to do cold turkey.

I guess cutting down gradually is the safest approach.


My doc wants me to take TEGRETOL RETARD, which should prevent seizures etc.

It's a anti-epilipsy drug, some side effects sound dreadful - so I'm reluctant.

Plan to cut down by at least half my intake a week at a time, and see how it goes.

I do wish you much luck, it's an Insidious bastard creeps up on you like.

[oxyc]

SWIMS heart goes out to anyone is this situation, swim definatley thinks alcohol is the hardest drug to stay off, its in your face all the time, you cannot avoid it, on the tv, adverts, pubs etc with illegal stuff its much easier to remove yourself from that world if you want to, swim wishes swiys luck, swim has been through absolute hell to stop, but remember if you detox properly with the likes of librium its a breeze to do the actual detox infact swim felt really good for a few weeks after the detoxes on top of the world, i think they refer to this as a honeymoon period, the really hard bit is not picking up another drink, this is where swim has failed in the past and it takes no time to be as bad if not worse than before swim is talking days from an innocent shandy to 24 cans and a litre of gin a night then ending up in hospital before 2 weeks have past from that first "harmless" shandy
Please if swiy is considering stopping to do it right, most doctors are sympathetic about alcoholism and dont judge anyone, last time swim was in hospital he saw a man having a fit from alcohol withdrawl and it frightened swim, one minute the man was ok the next he was fitting and foaming at the mouth clutching his chest this was from him refusing librium.

[ex-junkie]

in the meantime, swiy should think about exercising some control. dont keep large amounts of alcohol in the house. give swiys money, carkeys and keycard to someone trustworthy if possible.

try to put off having that first drink for another hour.

its hard to put to practice, but not completely impossible. swim was able to take such measures when she was suffering from heroin addiction, and it really helped her to gain control over her life again.

goodluck.

[Catnap]

SWIM is very grateful for your advice and kind words.

SWIM did not realise implications of going cold turkey and will make appointment to see doctor tomorrow. SWIM is really struggling tonight and knows she will just take extra sleeping tablets to compensate. SWIM is an idiot she knows.

SWIM currently drinks a couple of ciders and a bottle of wine every night plus SWIMS sleeping tablets (Zopiclone x 4 or 6).

SWIM feels she is stuck and feels pathetic for not being able to stop.

SWIM really is grateful for your support and to know she is not alone x

[oxyc]

Swiy should maybe cut her ammount of drink tonight, swim thinks swiy shouldnt just stop altogether it really is very very dangerous even if swiy thinks she will be ok it aint worth the risk just for another night it comes on quick so be careful

Reputation Comments on this post:

nice job with good advice approve wholeheartedly

[Master_Khan]

Originally Posted by Catnap

SWIM feels she is stuck and feels pathetic for not being able to stop.

Swim thinks you are brave and courageous for admitting your problem and being willing to fight it.

THe LAST thing you are right now is pathetic. Keep the faith, you have already made a good start in the right direction and you will get lots of support here no doubt!