Drinking Mouthwash=How Dangerous?

[CarolD]

Sean......in the 2 1/2 years you have been here with us
you have had short periods of clean and sober time.

Members have shared all sorts of different ways they have quit.

Unless you get to the point of wanting
to stop nothing is going to work.

I often wonder if Richie in London
and Homer/Patrick are stilll alive.

I sincerely hope and pray this will be the time you quit.

[Katie09]

Gosh, this thread just makes me want to cry. No, Tib, I haven't resorted to drinking mouth wash. I am with the others. PLEASE get some help and soon.

[tiburon88]

I'm curious as to how u got my real name. That is as scary as the DT's.

[Dee74]

I did that mate - I picked it up once on another thread.
Sorry if you prefer 'Tib' on here

D

[joedris]

When you want to stop drinking more than you want to drink, then you'll find a way to stop. This stuff about wanting drugs to help you detox is a smokescreen. You're using the non-availability of Ativan and anti-anxiety drugs to justify drinking. Anxiety isn't going to kill you, alcohol will. Especially if your liver enzymes are off the chart. You've got a choice here. Live or die. Pick one.

[Katie09]

Originally Posted by joedris

When you want to stop drinking more than you want to drink, then you'll find a way to stop. This stuff about wanting drugs to help you detox is a smokescreen. You're using the non-availability of Ativan and anti-anxiety drugs to justify drinking. Anxiety isn't going to kill you, alcohol will. Especially if your liver enzymes are off the chart. You've got a choice here. Live or die. Pick one.

If I may add one teeny thing, when I went into Detox I really needed the drugs, as my blood pressure was sky high and I could have had a stroke. At times the drugs really are required to safely detox. I've also weaned myself down several times off alcohol, which may have been just really stupid, but oh well. I guess if liver enzymes are that high, medical detox is most likely the best approach.

[c49999]

I just Detoxed last week. The toughest thing was getting past the door.

Yes, it was worth it!!

[littlebluedog]

Hi there. Hope you'll decide to get help. I'm fairly new to all this, but I'll throw in what I've learned so far.

The choice to live sober for me, at least, has been hard work and I'm having to look at things I don't want to. It's uncomfortable, it's challenging, and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

To really, really appreciate life's gifts(no matter how small), you really have to go through hell, which I'm going to go ahead and assume everyone here has.

I hope you decide you've seen enough of the personal hell that you have to live though every day. It WILL get better, but you have to WORK. God helps those who help themselves. How many favors has alcohol done for you lately?

Sending well wishes and lots of love your way.

[tiburon88]

I obviously need more than AA and Sober Recovery offers. I have a real and diagnosed (many times) mental disorder that prevents me from working the program. Call it an excuse, a cop out ect... I 've heard it all before. Why do I find a need to separate myself from typical alcoholics? This is why & I have no doubts that it makes it harder for me to stay sober. Have any of you stayed up for days thinking of ways to get rich with a "plan"? How about wandering the city with a police scanner and badge ready to bust drug dealers? I have done these things sober while in a complete manic state. As sever as Alcoholism is I wouldn't wish bi-polar/severe depression on my worst enemy. When you combine the two diseases God help you because no and I mean no one else can help. Now give me the "tough AA" responses that I so desperately need and want.


tiburon

[Lenina]

((((tib)))) You have a rough path to walk with the bi polar. Please make sure you take your meds and are honest with your doctors.

Love,

Lenina

[Katie09]

Originally Posted by tiburon88

I obviously need more than AA and Sober Recovery offers. I have a real and diagnosed (many times) mental disorder that prevents me from working the program. Call it an excuse, a cop out ect... I 've heard it all before. Why do I find a need to separate myself from typical alcoholics? This is why & I have no doubts that it makes it harder for me to stay sober. Have any of you stayed up for days thinking of ways to get rich with a "plan"? How about wandering the city with a police scanner and badge ready to bust drug dealers? I have done these things sober while in a complete manic state. As sever as Alcoholism is I wouldn't wish bi-polar/severe depression on my worst enemy. When you combine the two diseases God help you because no and I mean no one else can help. Now give me the "tough AA" responses that I so desperately need and want.


tiburon

Yes, bipolar. I have that too, except I am a bipolar depressive. Trust me, I do understand how hard it is to deal with. I have had mixed states - mania and depression together. I spent 15 hours on Ebay per day for weeks and $10K on costume jewelry and other jewelry while sleeping on a mattress with no sheets. I thought I'd start a treatment revolution. I thought I'd have a vintage shop in the mountains by a lake and sell the jewelry. Hell, I still buy the jewelry under certain conditions. I've had one serious hallucination with the police and heard voices on a couple of occasions. I hear ya. I also understand that tough AA responses don't work. Do you have a psychiatrist to help you through this? Do you take meds?

[gravity]

You are probably right, that you need more than AA & SR.

I can't speak from personal experience but my very close friend had severe depression/anxiety disorders & drinking problems. With the right combination of meds and psychiatric help (no AA or SR), he now lives a very good life. He has his off-days but he has his family & friends to lean on.

Do what you need to do. Seriously.

[Katie09]

Originally Posted by gravity

You are probably right, that you need more than AA & SR.

I can't speak from personal experience but my very close friend had severe depression/anxiety disorders & drinking problems. With the right combination of meds and psychiatric help (no AA or SR), he now lives a very good life. He has his off-days but he has his family & friends to lean on.

Do what you need to do. Seriously.

Yes, if I may interject, bipolar is a whole different deal - at least in my experience. It's worse than unipolar depression, in that the lows are lower. Also, the manias are severely disruptive to life and may have legal consequences. I can't speak for Tib. I have a cousin who is of the manic variety and alcoholic and was charged with a felony for stabbing her sister's car while in a mania. I am not saying Tib's experience is like this at all - just sharing my experience. This is why it is super important that there is education out there and that people realize that dual diagnosis is especially hard and that it's not a matter of people making up excuses or not wanting to get well.

[Jomey]

As sever as Alcoholism is I wouldn't wish bi-polar/severe depression on my worst enemy. When you combine the two diseases God help you because no and I mean no one else can help

Tib, I feel your pain. My brother has an identical diagnosis to yours and he is totally unable so far to break the drinking cycle. I can't honestly say what he has tried besides 30 days inpatient rehab last year (no results) and AA ( I know he went to meetings b/c I took him). Other than that, I don't believe anything he says unless I've seen it with my own eyes.

If you don't mind, I will put you on my prayer list next to him...I know you are suffering after watching my brother. If you come up with anything that helps, but sure to let us know please.

In the meantime, God bless you and keep searching for an answer.

Jomey

[CarolD]

About 1/3 of my AA home group take various meds
for their diagnosed Bi-Polar conditions. Many have
years of recovery from alcoholism...not their B.P.

This link is in our sticky on Programs

Questions and Answers about DRA


You can also find threads about Bi-Polar
if you do a Forum Search.


Hope this helps...

[littlebluedog]

In my home group there are two people, one diagnosed with bipolar, one with schizoaffective disorder. Both have multiple years of sobriety. Hope that gives you some hope. Best wishes.

[wendella77]

No one can tell you when you are ready to be sober and if you are the way I was, there is definitely NOT a desire to quit. I'm 32 as well and struggled for a long time but I just figured I'd die from drinking - no biggie. Something (I call it divine intervention) hit me one day and I knew I had to stop. I'm not a religious person but that is the only way to explain it. If it was my will, I'd still be waking up at 2am to have a swig just to get me through til morning. Anyways, I went into a detox treatment facility the next day which was no fun but what I needed. Yes, many people do go extremes to get drunk. With my first poor attempt to quit, I was eating liquor chocolates, salad dressing with wine in it - anything with alcohol. When you become alcohol dependent, anything will do. I have been sober for 3 months now and I feel great physically and emotionally. The desire to drink isn't with me 99% of the time which is a miracle in itself. You will commit when you are ready and hopefully that will be soon before you've passed the turning point (in terms of your health). I suggest inpatient detox and lots of AA meetings. Take care.

[CarolD]

wendella77.....Welcome to SR and our Alcoholism Forum

[Jomey]

Sorry Tib, just wanted to say thanks to Carol and Little for the encouragement....what my brother really lacks is desire to get well & get sober...guess I was sorta looking for a "magic bullet" by asking Tib to post anything that works for him!

Best wishes Tib!

[Rad44]

I drank a considerable ammount of Mouthwash on my last three week long 24/7 binge relapse. I mostly used it as a method of concealment and to ward of withdrawl symptoms and I could purchase it when the liquor stores were closed. It caused a good bit of liver and heart damage during the time I used it. The physical damage quickly cleared up after I became sober April 7 (will be 90 days next week) but it is nothing to mess around with. Stay away from rubbing alcohol as it is toxic and will make you sick as well as a great potential to be fatal. don't blame the Doctors for not giving you the Meds you demand. It is not their job to make your drinking career easier if you are not willing to put in the work to quit inflicting the misery on yourself.

[Katie09]

Originally Posted by Rad44

I drank a considerable ammount of Mouthwash on my last three week long 24/7 binge relapse. I mostly used it as a method of concealment and to ward of withdrawl symptoms and I could purchase it when the liquor stores were closed. It caused a good bit of liver and heart damage during the time I used it. The physical damage quickly cleared up after I became sober April 7 (will be 90 days next week) but it is nothing to mess around with. Stay away from rubbing alcohol as it is toxic and will make you sick as well as a great potential to be fatal. don't blame the Doctors for not giving you the Meds you demand. It is not their job to make your drinking career easier if you are not willing to put in the work to quit inflicting the misery on yourself.

Yeah, there should be some pain for the gain, right? The only thing I do take issue with is high blood pressure or other withdrawal related symptoms that can kill. That is why it's so important to have detox monitored, in many cases.

[tiburon88]

Originally Posted by Rad44

I drank a considerable ammount of Mouthwash on my last three week long 24/7 binge relapse. I mostly used it as a method of concealment and to ward of withdrawl symptoms and I could purchase it when the liquor stores were closed. It caused a good bit of liver and heart damage during the time I used it. The physical damage quickly cleared up after I became sober April 7 (will be 90 days next week) but it is nothing to mess around with. Stay away from rubbing alcohol as it is toxic and will make you sick as well as a great potential to be fatal. don't blame the Doctors for not giving you the Meds you demand. It is not their job to make your drinking career easier if you are not willing to put in the work to quit inflicting the misery on yourself.

I believe it is the doctors job is to make my withdrawal easier. Otherwise, I will just continue to drink. Ativan works best for me although I'm on Klonopin right not. Yes my doctor know I'm drinking but is concerned about my anxiety so he keeps me on the Klonopin. It helps some but I think I need an increase in dosage which I will ask next time.

tib

[Rad44]

I believe it is the doctors job is to make my withdrawal easier. Otherwise, I will just continue to drink.

So, unless the doctors give you all the Meds you demand to erase any and all withdrawl symptoms you brought upon yourself, it is their fault you will continue to drink? Wow, that will show them. Where is your responsibility in all of this?

You know, ever since 4 days after I stopped dumping liters of alcohol in my body every day I haven't had a single withdrawl symptom for the past 3 months. Do the Math.

[Katie09]

Originally Posted by tiburon88

I believe it is the doctors job is to make my withdrawal easier. Otherwise, I will just continue to drink. Ativan works best for me although I'm on Klonopin right not. Yes my doctor know I'm drinking but is concerned about my anxiety so he keeps me on the Klonopin. It helps some but I think I need an increase in dosage which I will ask next time.

tib

Tib, it really does not work this way. You know I am on your side, but come on. Drs are there to get us safely past withdrawals, not make sure we are comfortable all the time. Forget about the increase - not going to happen. At some point we all have to face the music.

[littlebluedog]

I believe it is the doctors job is to make my withdrawal easier

'fraid there's so such thing as an easy withdrawal.

I know it doesn't seem like it, but it will get better. You just have to go through it. A lot of people here have and I know it's scary, but if you just get it over with, once and for all, you never, ever, ever have to do it again.