Is there hope?? I'm so lost
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Royersford, Pennsylvania
Posts: 8
Is there hope?? I'm so lost
I have been drinking for the past five years. Today is the first day I have not gotten drunk and it's killing me. I recently lost my relationship of two years because I would get drunk and cheat on him. I have been taking zoloft and straterra for 2 years and get frustrated that they aren't working, probably due to my heavy drinking problem. I have done things I would never do while drinking. I'm so sad because I lost my lover because of alcohol and need to make a change in my life instead of living such a self destructive lifestyle. I don't know where to start. I'm scared to go to AA and unsure if it will work. What are these meetings like and / or does anyone have any tips on starting to live a healthier lifestyle without alcohol.
Not all better, getting better
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: The Beautiful Inner Banks of NC
Posts: 1,702
Hello and wecome to SR, it a good place to hang out, ask questions, get advice, etc. First of all congratulations on not drinking today that is of course the first step towards getting better. It sounds like you know you have a problem and are looking for some answers on how to get better. One thing to realize is that this is a process, you've been drinking a long time, so don't expect things to get better overnight, but if you stay sober they will get better.
One thing I wanted to mention as far as the depression meds go. I too have taken a variety of meds for depression, currently paxil and welbutran, but I've tried most of the others at one time or another. I couldn't understand why they were not working for me. They would up my doses try different combinations yet still depressed, often sucicdal. My problem was the one part of the equation I would not change was my using. Pot was my drug of choice, but alcohol is problem for me too. One thing I have found is that drinking makes my depression worse, in fact it causes the anti-depressants to have an opposite effect. Does your doctor know about your drinking? If not you need to be honest with him, because it can be a deadly combination. I ended up in the psych ward on a couple of occassions due to depression and I was always drinking when it happened. If you look in the side effects listed with your perscription I'm sure it says no alcohol. This is one of the reasons why. Anyway, I don't mean to lecture you, I just thought you should know this from someone who experienced it.
As far as AA meetings go and what to expect. You will find a room full of people who have had many of the same experiences you have had regarding alcohol. Some are still strugling, some have been sober for years and come to meetings to share their experience, strength and hope with newcommers in need such as yourself. You will not be judged in any way. Nothing will be expected of you. You can share if you want, or just sit and listen. If it is a smaller meeting, people will probably reconize you as new and come up and introduce themselves and offer to give you their phone numbers if you need someone to talk to. Many people worry about running into someone they know. If that happens they are there for the same reason as you, so you should not fear that. AA is not a solution. You are the only one who can make the decision not to drink. AA can help you, but you have to be willing to do the work. They will support you as will the people here at SR, but you have to reach out for the help and be willing to try some of the things suggested. It is tough, but look around these boards at all of the people who have been successful the same at a meeting. It can be done. I hope some of this helped, I'm sure others will be along as well, I just hate seeing a post like your's sit unanswered for an hour!! Take care.
One thing I wanted to mention as far as the depression meds go. I too have taken a variety of meds for depression, currently paxil and welbutran, but I've tried most of the others at one time or another. I couldn't understand why they were not working for me. They would up my doses try different combinations yet still depressed, often sucicdal. My problem was the one part of the equation I would not change was my using. Pot was my drug of choice, but alcohol is problem for me too. One thing I have found is that drinking makes my depression worse, in fact it causes the anti-depressants to have an opposite effect. Does your doctor know about your drinking? If not you need to be honest with him, because it can be a deadly combination. I ended up in the psych ward on a couple of occassions due to depression and I was always drinking when it happened. If you look in the side effects listed with your perscription I'm sure it says no alcohol. This is one of the reasons why. Anyway, I don't mean to lecture you, I just thought you should know this from someone who experienced it.
As far as AA meetings go and what to expect. You will find a room full of people who have had many of the same experiences you have had regarding alcohol. Some are still strugling, some have been sober for years and come to meetings to share their experience, strength and hope with newcommers in need such as yourself. You will not be judged in any way. Nothing will be expected of you. You can share if you want, or just sit and listen. If it is a smaller meeting, people will probably reconize you as new and come up and introduce themselves and offer to give you their phone numbers if you need someone to talk to. Many people worry about running into someone they know. If that happens they are there for the same reason as you, so you should not fear that. AA is not a solution. You are the only one who can make the decision not to drink. AA can help you, but you have to be willing to do the work. They will support you as will the people here at SR, but you have to reach out for the help and be willing to try some of the things suggested. It is tough, but look around these boards at all of the people who have been successful the same at a meeting. It can be done. I hope some of this helped, I'm sure others will be along as well, I just hate seeing a post like your's sit unanswered for an hour!! Take care.
the girl can't help it
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: splendraville
Posts: 5,599
(((((decayingsinner)))))
Take it one minute or even one second at the time. Every single person at an AA meeting has been in a simular place that you are in now go and be strenghthened and come here too as often as you need....
Take it one minute or even one second at the time. Every single person at an AA meeting has been in a simular place that you are in now go and be strenghthened and come here too as often as you need....
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Yes
decayingsinner Seeing your doctor is a very wise move.
Detoxing from alcohol can be dangerois to do alone...especially when you add in meds.
Be safe..
Detoxing from alcohol can be dangerois to do alone...especially when you add in meds.
Be safe..
Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 1,432
Ditto on checking with your doctor about quitting abruptly. If you're scared to walk into an AA meeting, you can check out various recovery options online, and some groups have online meetings (text or live).
Here are some links if you want to explore the different recovery options:
A web site comparing recovery groups: http://www.rrci.net/recovery_spectrum.htm
SMART Recovery: http://smartrecovery.org/
SMART Recovery forum: http://smartrecovery.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x
LifeRing: http://www.unhooked.com/index.htm
SOS: http://www.secularsobriety.org/
Women for Sobriety: http://www.womenforsobriety.org/
Rational Recovery: http://www.rational.org/
AA site, unofficial: http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.org/
AA site, official: http://www.aa.org/
I use SMART Recovery and would be happy to answer any questions you have about that. All of these are abstinence based. With all these choices just a click away, you can choose your own path. IMO, the recovery choice you build yourself is the one you are most likely to stick with.
Don S
Here are some links if you want to explore the different recovery options:
A web site comparing recovery groups: http://www.rrci.net/recovery_spectrum.htm
SMART Recovery: http://smartrecovery.org/
SMART Recovery forum: http://smartrecovery.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x
LifeRing: http://www.unhooked.com/index.htm
SOS: http://www.secularsobriety.org/
Women for Sobriety: http://www.womenforsobriety.org/
Rational Recovery: http://www.rational.org/
AA site, unofficial: http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.org/
AA site, official: http://www.aa.org/
I use SMART Recovery and would be happy to answer any questions you have about that. All of these are abstinence based. With all these choices just a click away, you can choose your own path. IMO, the recovery choice you build yourself is the one you are most likely to stick with.
Don S
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