Alcohol, hints, tips, advice etc.

[ZenHalfTimeCrock]

Mate, you need professional help…NOW. You CAN'T go through the withdrawals alone without medical assistance.
I got to the stage where I was drinking in bed all day. I wanted to die in my sleep and was often disappointed that I'd wake up.
Yeah, as soon as you stop, all the problems the alcohol has been masking will suddenly appear. Your stomach will feel fucked too.
No matter how far I fell...there was still a life there waiting for me. I just couldn't see it at that time.

Again, thanks. If the withdrawal symptoms prove to be too much, I will take myself off to A&E.

Most of my drinking over the last week has consisted of wine and beer, not spirits. So I am hopeful of avoiding the worst.

Thanks also for the heads up about the stomach problems. Am already experiencing some of that.

 

[ob]

Zen check out mind body and sole online as well - good luck mate

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Zen check out mind body and sole online as well - good luck mate

About Mind, Body & Sole | MindBodySole

 

[ZenHalfTimeCrock]

This might be useful: Get help now | Alcohol Change UK

That’s truly helpful. Many thanks.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

That’s truly helpful. Many thanks.

Good luck.

 

[Marklr]

Again, thanks. If the withdrawal symptoms prove to be too much, I will take myself off to A&E.

Most of my drinking over the last week has consisted of wine and beer, not spirits. So I am hopeful of avoiding the worst.

Thanks also for the heads up about the stomach problems. Am already experiencing some of that.

I'd never just STOP. I'd come down slowly. "Self detox". When withdrawals get too much, I'd have half a can of strong lager. It'd just be enough to take the edge off and give me a few hours. The problem with that is that the half a can will eventually lose its effect, and you end up needing a full can....and so on… and those hours seem like days!!
Time goes really slow, doesn't it?
Yeah... if the withdrawals get too much, just go to the hospital. Don't let yourself get to the DTs stage. Have you had any a counselling before? Does your doc know about your problems?

 

[ZenHalfTimeCrock]

I'd never just STOP. I'd come down slowly. "Self detox". When withdrawals get too much, I'd have half a can of strong lager. It'd just be enough to take the edge off and give me a few hours. The problem with that is that the half a can will eventually lose its effect, and you end up needing a full can....and so on… and those hours seem like days!!
Time goes really slow, doesn't it?
Yeah... if the withdrawals get too much, just go to the hospital. Don't let yourself get to the DTs stage. Have you had any a counselling before? Does your doc know about your problems?

Have spoken to a helpline in the link provided by Trevor Morley’s Tache. They reckon that my present level of consumption of alcohol should mean that the withdrawal process might not be too severe but confirmed that I should go to A&E if it does become problematic.

Was also recommended to contact Smart Recovery. The Westminster Drug Project also have a branch near me. So there are options.

My GP is aware of my problem with alcohol but not that it has proven to be persistent.

Haven’t had counselling but will explore that possibility too.

Once again, many thanks to all who have offered their support today. It means a lot.

 

[Marklr]

Have spoken to a helpline in the link provided by Trevor Morley’s Tache. They reckon that my present level of consumption of alcohol should mean that the withdrawal process might not be too severe but confirmed that I should go to A&E if it does become problematic.

Was also recommended to contact Smart Recovery. The Westminster Drug Project also have a branch near me. So there are options.

My GP is aware of my problem with alcohol but not that it has proven to be persistent.

Haven’t had counselling but will explore that possibility too.

Once again, many thanks to all who have offered their support today. It means a lot.

Good luck, mate. Just remember...no matter how bad and hard it seems now, there is still a good life waiting for you. Once you've got over the withdrawals, it's a good idea to speak to things like Smart Recovery and your doctor. Get that shit drug out of your life for good. You'll make yourself and all the people that care about you, so happy.
Take each day at a time...you'll get to hurdles along the way...jump them! One at a time. And never think "just one drink". It just starts the cycle again.
Any time, mate...just get in touch if you want to talk again.

 

[ballbag]

Mate, you need professional help…NOW. You CAN'T go through the withdrawals alone without medical assistance.
I got to the stage where I was drinking in bed all day. I wanted to die in my sleep and was often disappointed that I'd wake up.
Yeah, as soon as you stop, all the problems the alcohol has been masking will suddenly appear. Your stomach will feel fucked too.
No matter how far I fell...there was still a life there waiting for me. I just couldn't see it at that time.

Definitely this. I got told to carry on drinking (but drink less and taper it off) rather than stop completely, or else I'd probably have died. Its weird hearing doctors in the hospital tell you to carry on drinking after months of counselors trying to get you to stop.

Don't go near the stuff any more but that's because I eventually saw how much damage I was doing to my family - not myself.

 

[patrickkinney]

Have spoken to a helpline in the link provided by Trevor Morley’s Tache. They reckon that my present level of consumption of alcohol should mean that the withdrawal process might not be too severe but confirmed that I should go to A&E if it does become problematic.

Was also recommended to contact Smart Recovery. The Westminster Drug Project also have a branch near me. So there are options.

My GP is aware of my problem with alcohol but not that it has proven to be persistent.

Haven’t had counselling but will explore that possibility too.

Once again, many thanks to all who have offered their support today. It means a lot.

Good luck mate, I can't say much more than that except I have found some help from an app called Sober Time on my phone - I'm sure there are others. One thing it does, I've put in a rough estimate of what I was spending a day on drink and as each day passes I get to see what I've saved. Two months = almost £500 squids - it keeps me going, as does this place.

Oh - slightly off topic, can I give a shoutout to the Bluemoon predictions league - this (and also fantasy football league) are little hobbies that help keep me off the drink. Currently there are nine of us signed up for season 2021-22. You guess the scores for each round of premier matches and get points for correct score, close result but zero for a bobbins prediction.

Here are the details:

https://www.superbru.com/premierleague_predictor/?p=12377987

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

ammolids and it starts in two days.

Apologies about the name of the app and website, it's not ideal on this thread, I know :-(

 

[Pablo123]

Definitely this. I got told to carry on drinking (but drink less and taper it off) rather than stop completely, or else I'd probably have died. Its weird hearing doctors in the hospital tell you to carry on drinking after months of counselors trying to get you to stop.

Don't go near the stuff any more but that's because I eventually saw how much damage I was doing to my family - not myself.

My brother is an alcoholic as I’ve posted on here before , he went to rehab for 12 months almost 6 years ago and came out a new man . Last year he started drinking again , vodka is his preferred choice of drink . Rehab or hospital couldn’t take him in so I went to Nottingham to administer his medication for 3 weeks along with help from his mentor . It was tough, he lives with my mother whose 83 who has been recently diagnosed with dementia . After 3 weeks he looked good and sounded good, we talked and I told him that was the toughest thing I’d ever done . He’s been told his next drink could be his last, we talk every day and I try to get down as much as I can . Last week he started drinking again, our family is in turmoil you just can’t reason with him , he’s a completely different person from the man last week saying he doesn’t need anybody and this is who he is . I go from feeling angry and annoyed to helplessness. So if you need that drink please talk to somebody there’s help there YOU just have to want it

 

[asahartford1]

My mate messaged me Monday night. Not heard from him for while, he says he's been laying low, been told by GP if doesn't stop drinking he'll be dead in months. Joined AA and been sober for 3 months. We chatted for ages, says he was scared to tell me as I might not be his friend anymore and to quote 'want to bother with him anymore'. Told him our friendship is deeper than that. He said it's so tough. Told him I understand but not to look back he isn't going that way. Keep looking forward, said he's got 2 young daughters who are his pride n joy. His focus is to stay sober to watch them grow up, get jobs, get married etc. My mate Bryce stay strong mucker I got your back

About a year ago I got a similar text of by golf partner. He was going into the priory(where he stayed three months)
I had no idea things were so bad, I regularly drank with him, but i didn't realise he couldn't stop during the week or at home.
He has stopped playing golf and i never see him now. I have sent him texts and phoned him, but i think his wife doesn't want him near me. Feel a bit guilty, as if i am a bit to blame.
His firm paid for his rehab, but have now ditched him.
I would have liked to have given him more support, but as long as he keeps getting better and is healthy, probably best if I give him the space. The fact that no one sees him now must make life tough though.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

My brother is an alcoholic as I’ve posted on here before , he went to rehab for 12 months almost 6 years ago and came out a new man . Last year he started drinking again , vodka is his preferred choice of drink . Rehab or hospital couldn’t take him in so I went to Nottingham to administer his medication for 3 weeks along with help from his mentor . It was tough, he lives with my mother whose 83 who has been recently diagnosed with dementia . After 3 weeks he looked good and sounded good, we talked and I told him that was the toughest thing I’d ever done . He’s been told his next drink could be his last, we talk every day and I try to get down as much as I can . Last week he started drinking again, our family is in turmoil you just can’t reason with him , he’s a completely different person from the man last week saying he doesn’t need anybody and this is who he is . I go from feeling angry and annoyed to helplessness. So if you need that drink please talk to somebody there’s help there YOU just have to want it

Really sorry to hear that. It's difficult not to get annoyed. I guess you just have to be there to support him IF he asks for help. Sadly a lot of alcoholics reach the point of almost giving in and accepting their lot, and this can be really hard to accept as you end up just feeling hopeless.

There comes a point where you also have to think about your own mental welfare. Most if not all alcohol support agencies offer some form of help for the families of alcoholics, so it might be worth getting in touch?

 

[hammocity]

I have recently lapsed into full-blown alcoholism. The reason for my drinking is severe tinnitus (which I was managing well at one point), other chronic health issues, and a lack of purpose in retirement. So I am well aware of the triggers.

If I had the option of doctor-assisted suicide/euthanasia I would probably take it right now. Old age in such poor health offers nothing for me, but I am also too much of a coward to act on my suicidal ideations and am aware of how something like this would affect my nearest and dearest. So being drunk is a sort of escape from this cul de sac of thought.

Strangely, my wife hasn’t picked up on the fact that I am inebriated most of the time for some reason, though she knows that I have a problem.

During the day I drink strong lager steadily (often hidden in the flat and supped surreptitiously - have already got through four cans today) and so can seem reasonably articulate and convincing.

Sorry for such a negative post but there is a reason for it: I have decided that whatever happens, I will, at least, stop drinking today. I can’t promise readers of this thread that I will do this and then renege on that commitment, even though I don’t know any of you personally.

What bothers me immediately are the withdrawal symptoms. My intake is such that I probably won’t get delirium tremens or suffer seizures but the next 48 hours are going to be tough. The shakes, insomnia and nausea are going to kick in. Also, the alcohol seems to suppress some of the health issues I have (the beginnings of a hemifacial spasm, and gastrointestinal problems, for example). So they are going to get foregrounded.
I would therefore be interested to hear from anyone who has been through the withdrawal process, and also from posters who have been at rock-bottom as I currently am. Even though I have fallen so far and am not sure whether I will get through this, any encouragement would be much appreciated.

That's tough but you have some great advice from posters on here, none of which I could better. I regularly have a few weeks off the beer but always set a target when I can have one again. Reading this thread I realise that's something an Alcoholic (terrible word and apart from other achievements and lifestyle it incorrectly defines you as just that) can't do. I'm at the stage where I am trying to get a little physically fitter so if I get Covid again I'm in the best shape possible to fight it.

I really wish you all the best, your post was desperately sad but as others have advised there's a good way out.

 

[ZenHalfTimeCrock]

Once again, thanks for all the helpful advice that's been put out on here. Am not doing too badly so far: the sweating, jitters and nausea are all mild so far today and managed to sleep for about five hours.

But as others have pointed out upthread, going 'cold turkey' can be dangerous and requires medical supervision. As I was coming off only 6 or 7 days of binge drinking (mainly cheap but strong cider, lager and wine), the telephone counsellor I spoke with yesterday thought I might get off fairly lightly. So far, that has proven to be the case but I will seek medical help if anything deteriorates.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Once again, thanks for all the helpful advice that's been put out on here. Am not doing too badly so far: the sweating, jitters and nausea are all mild so far today and managed to sleep for about five hours.

But as others have pointed out upthread, going 'cold turkey' can be dangerous and requires medical supervision. As I was coming off only 6 or 7 days of binge drinking (mainly cheap but strong cider, lager and wine), the telephone counsellor I spoke with yesterday thought I might get off fairly lightly. So far, that has proven to be the case but I will seek medical help if anything deteriorates.

I'd chalk that off as a little victory. Just have to find something to occupy your mind now for when the cravings kick in ;-)

 

[ZenHalfTimeCrock]

Just have to find something to occupy your mind now for when the cravings kick in ;-)

Watching Baron Noir (the best political drama I have ever seen).

Unfortunately, Amazon seem to have fucked up the subtitling from Season 2 onwards.

Baron Noir’s subtitling really has gone to pot this season

Subtitling is a delicate art, as I’ve mentioned before. It takes time, skill and an appreciation of language – at least two languages, in fact. Amazon is currently trying to keep pace with Ca…

www.the-medium-is-not-enough.com

Reassuring that it wasn't an alcoholic haze that prevented me from following what was going on, though.

 

[Indaparkside]

I regularly drank 10 -14 pints a day followed by at least 7 double vodkas this must have been nearly daily, I never drank in the house mine was more of a sociable thing which I didn’t realise was very excessive at the time in the last couple of years I got diagnosed With cirrhosis. I now still have a beer but have reduced it to 3-4 pints a day now of low percentage lager only go out twice a week so from maybe over 100 pints a week to 8 tops, the strange thing is when I drank excessively I never had a hang over now I’ve reduced it I feel terrible afterwards headaches thirsty etc maybe because I’m getting older I don’t know but I don’t think you realise the dangers alcohol causes when your younger

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

I regularly drank 10 -14 pints a day followed by at least 7 double vodkas this must have been nearly daily, I never drank in the house mine was more of a sociable thing which I didn’t realise was very excessive at the time in the last couple of years I got diagnosed With cirrhosis. I now still have a beer but have reduced it to 3-4 pints a day now of low percentage lager only go out twice a week so from maybe over 100 pints a week to 8 tops, the strange thing is when I drank excessively I never had a hang over now I’ve reduced it I feel terrible afterwards headaches thirsty etc maybe because I’m getting older I don’t know but I don’t think you realise the dangers alcohol causes when your younger

I'm only small (about 9 1/2 stone), but when I was drinking heavily I would drink about 10-12 bottles of larger then spicy rum, maybe half a bottle on a good (bad?) night. I could easily get up for work the next morning, and after a few coffees and a bacon buttie, I'd be fighting fit and raring to go, only to repeat the whole process 10 hours later.

Now, couple of pints and I feel shabby.

 

[Indaparkside]

I'm only small (about 9 1/2 stone), but when I was drinking heavily I would drink about 10-12 bottles of larger then spicy rum, maybe half a bottle on a good (bad?) night. I could easily get up for work the next morning, and after a few coffees and a bacon buttie, I'd be fighting fit and raring to go, only to repeat the whole process 10 hours later.

Now, couple of pints and I feel shabby.

Same mate weird isn’t it definitely age related body changes pal