My Wake Up Call
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 65
My Wake Up Call
Hi My name is Dave and this is my story;
My father was an alcoholic and I witnessed what it could do both to an individual and their family. I will never go to that place, or so I thought........
I started drinking when I joined the Military in 97, before this point I was not much of a drinker really. The military in the UK has a very definate drinking culture and you can feel quite left out if you don't join in.
Fast forward to Sunday the 19th of August 2007. I woke in the morning pretty early after drinking until 4.00 am. I initially felt fine and went out to pick up some breakfast. On my return I felt very unwell. I had a scan of my liver a few weeks earlier and I was told I had some fatty infiltration so my initial thoughts were that it had got worse.
I had to visit several clinics in my area as it was a weekend before I was finally refered to hospital where I was admitted.
I had a number of tests, x-rays and blood work done before the consultant doctor came to see me. I was honest with him about my drinking problem but his news was not good.
My liver was in a bad way, severly inflamed and enlarged, my function tests were sky high.
The doctor felt something else like a virus was contirbuting to the problem but told me my drinking had to stop.
If I did not stop I would have 5 years maximum, I am 27.
So after almost 2 weeks in hospital I am still sober and coping ok but here for some support really.
Dave
My father was an alcoholic and I witnessed what it could do both to an individual and their family. I will never go to that place, or so I thought........
I started drinking when I joined the Military in 97, before this point I was not much of a drinker really. The military in the UK has a very definate drinking culture and you can feel quite left out if you don't join in.
Fast forward to Sunday the 19th of August 2007. I woke in the morning pretty early after drinking until 4.00 am. I initially felt fine and went out to pick up some breakfast. On my return I felt very unwell. I had a scan of my liver a few weeks earlier and I was told I had some fatty infiltration so my initial thoughts were that it had got worse.
I had to visit several clinics in my area as it was a weekend before I was finally refered to hospital where I was admitted.
I had a number of tests, x-rays and blood work done before the consultant doctor came to see me. I was honest with him about my drinking problem but his news was not good.
My liver was in a bad way, severly inflamed and enlarged, my function tests were sky high.
The doctor felt something else like a virus was contirbuting to the problem but told me my drinking had to stop.
If I did not stop I would have 5 years maximum, I am 27.
So after almost 2 weeks in hospital I am still sober and coping ok but here for some support really.
Dave
believer
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,411
you came to the right place..there is lots of info, lots of good, wise people, who've been through the same situations..I've heard of other people in the forum with liver problems, i am sure they will bring some light about that tough issue..
You have made a great choice, by choosing your life over alcohol.It won't be easy, but you sure can do it...We'll all be here when you need support..
keep posting..Welcome....
You have made a great choice, by choosing your life over alcohol.It won't be easy, but you sure can do it...We'll all be here when you need support..
keep posting..Welcome....
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 65
Thanks guys,
I should add I am now at home again. My liver is recovering and I have to go to my doctor once a week for liver function tests to see how it is doing. The doctor is hopeful it will be fine as long as I give up alcohol. It won't be the best functioning liver but it will work and I wont need any long term drugs or a transplant thankfully.
Dave
I should add I am now at home again. My liver is recovering and I have to go to my doctor once a week for liver function tests to see how it is doing. The doctor is hopeful it will be fine as long as I give up alcohol. It won't be the best functioning liver but it will work and I wont need any long term drugs or a transplant thankfully.
Dave
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Hi and Welcome Dave!
The only way I found to keep myself sober was AA.
I strongly suggest you find a local meeting and begin your recovery.
Forward we go ...side by side
The only way I found to keep myself sober was AA.
I strongly suggest you find a local meeting and begin your recovery.
Forward we go ...side by side
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,031
Glad you're alive and well, and posting here. Welcome, Dave.
I remember having similar symptoms. I'd quit drinking until they went away, then I'd drink again until the pain started. Kept that up for years, I'm lucky to be alive.
What will you do to insure your sobriety? AA worked well for me, I hope you have some plans for your recovery.
I remember having similar symptoms. I'd quit drinking until they went away, then I'd drink again until the pain started. Kept that up for years, I'm lucky to be alive.
What will you do to insure your sobriety? AA worked well for me, I hope you have some plans for your recovery.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 65
At the moment I am seeing an Alcohol councellor but I want to go to an AA meeting. The thing is I cannot get my head around how the open or closed meeting thing works? Is this exclusive to the UK?
My partner also bought me some alcohol free beer so I don't feel left out when we have friends over etc, not sure how good an idea it is though????
My partner also bought me some alcohol free beer so I don't feel left out when we have friends over etc, not sure how good an idea it is though????
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,031
Any alcoholic should be welcome at a closed meeting, only non-alcoholics are asked not to attend. Open meetings are exactly that, open to everyone. We have both in the US also.
As for the NA beer, search the forums here for that subject and I think you'll see that most of us would suggest you stay away from it. Most NA beers still contain a trace of alcohol, it's been my experience that it just leads me back to the real stuff.
As for the NA beer, search the forums here for that subject and I think you'll see that most of us would suggest you stay away from it. Most NA beers still contain a trace of alcohol, it's been my experience that it just leads me back to the real stuff.
No more merlot, more mamma
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hills, Ct
Posts: 2,139
Hi SS,
Welcome and congrats on your two weeks sober! It's good that you are going to an addiction counselor, and as for AA I wouldn't be six months sober without it! I love the program, I hope that you go to a meeting.
Big hugs,
Karen
Welcome and congrats on your two weeks sober! It's good that you are going to an addiction counselor, and as for AA I wouldn't be six months sober without it! I love the program, I hope that you go to a meeting.
Big hugs,
Karen
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,397
Hello, and welcome!
Glad you have this second chance. Just had some liver enzyme tests done myself, on Wednesday and I'm hoping to God that they come home normal. If they don't, then at least I'm on my way to making things a bit better, too.
I know you'll find so much support here.
Looking forward to more posts!
Glad you have this second chance. Just had some liver enzyme tests done myself, on Wednesday and I'm hoping to God that they come home normal. If they don't, then at least I'm on my way to making things a bit better, too.
I know you'll find so much support here.
Looking forward to more posts!
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
hi Soberscot - and welcome!
thank you for your story.
the whole death sentence thing ought to be enough, but with us alcholics ... it never is. I'm sure you can find a meeting near you ... it's right in the frnt of the phone book. I'm so GLAD to hear you're serious, though. Good for you.
Wake up call is right.
We're here to lend support as well.
welcome!
thank you for your story.
the whole death sentence thing ought to be enough, but with us alcholics ... it never is. I'm sure you can find a meeting near you ... it's right in the frnt of the phone book. I'm so GLAD to hear you're serious, though. Good for you.
Wake up call is right.
We're here to lend support as well.
welcome!
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
ps -
when I tended bar, 100% of the people who drank near beer while they were trying to be 'off' alcohol - went back to drinking.
Every.
Single.
One.
Just my two cents.
Why hang on to the thing that's trying to kill you?
It's time to put the things of an adolescent down ... and find out what it is you 'reall'y came here for. It's not as scary as it sounds.
It's actually ... pretty dang wonderful.
when I tended bar, 100% of the people who drank near beer while they were trying to be 'off' alcohol - went back to drinking.
Every.
Single.
One.
Just my two cents.
Why hang on to the thing that's trying to kill you?
It's time to put the things of an adolescent down ... and find out what it is you 'reall'y came here for. It's not as scary as it sounds.
It's actually ... pretty dang wonderful.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 65
Originally Posted by barb dwyer 
ps -
when I tended bar, 100% of the people who drank near beer while they were trying to be 'off' alcohol - went back to drinking.
Every.
Single.
One.
Just my two cents.
Why hang on to the thing that's trying to kill you?
It's time to put the things of an adolescent down ... and find out what it is you 'reall'y came here for. It's not as scary as it sounds.
It's actually ... pretty dang wonderful.
when I tended bar, 100% of the people who drank near beer while they were trying to be 'off' alcohol - went back to drinking.
Every.
Single.
One.
Just my two cents.
Why hang on to the thing that's trying to kill you?
It's time to put the things of an adolescent down ... and find out what it is you 'reall'y came here for. It's not as scary as it sounds.
It's actually ... pretty dang wonderful.
I really appreciate the welcome and I will be posting as and when I can and also when I might need some support.
Thank you, thank you
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 666
Hey Dave,
Mike from Boston here. Welcome to a great site with lots of wisdom. I've been sober 11 1/2 years now and rely on this place daily. I also attend AA, but this is a great supplement. Keep posting and get to that meeting! At 27 you've got a lot of living to do. I didn't wise up until I was 36, but I am so glad I did. Good to see your posts and I look forward to reading more.
Mike
Mike from Boston here. Welcome to a great site with lots of wisdom. I've been sober 11 1/2 years now and rely on this place daily. I also attend AA, but this is a great supplement. Keep posting and get to that meeting! At 27 you've got a lot of living to do. I didn't wise up until I was 36, but I am so glad I did. Good to see your posts and I look forward to reading more.
Mike
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