Where to start?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 37
Where to start?
I'm about to turn 42 and its time to stop. A bottle of vodka a night is where I'm finally at after years of progression from what used to seem fun. I haven't been to a doctor in years and know that should be stop one. May seem like a silly question but what type of doc should I see? Are there doctors that specialize in treatment? I've also located an AA group within a quick walk from my house so will be reaching out to them but I will need to get the initial withdrawal done before I would be comfortable going to a meting. Thanks. This is a fantastic website and forum
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,944
Good luck, Joshuatree, and well done for taking the decision to quit. The GP will offer a blood test to make sure your liver is still OK. As you’re there and you’ve not seen a doc in a while, get your blood sugar and blood pressure checked too.
That’s the physical side, as for quitting, my GP prescribed a drug called Campral to reduce cravings. Make sure to tell your GP you want to quit forever. That way they’ll know you mean business. GPs must get lied to a lot and let down by patients who drink, so be honest about your drinking and make it very clear you want to quit.
42 is still young. I quit at 48/49 and turned things around hugely. Good luck again.
That’s the physical side, as for quitting, my GP prescribed a drug called Campral to reduce cravings. Make sure to tell your GP you want to quit forever. That way they’ll know you mean business. GPs must get lied to a lot and let down by patients who drink, so be honest about your drinking and make it very clear you want to quit.
42 is still young. I quit at 48/49 and turned things around hugely. Good luck again.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,511
I think that talking to your family doctor is the best thing to do. If you are honest with him, he should be able to tell you whether it's okay to stop drinking cold turkey. He/she can also deal with any health questions that you have.
I'm glad you're here.
I'm glad you're here.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Gainesville, Fl
Posts: 435
To echo the other posts, your GP should be the first stop. You need a blood test to check on your liver. You may need to change more than your drinking habits (eliminate processed carbs and sugar) so your liver can heal itself.
And as also noted, the best course of action to stop. I was told by the Dr. the safest way to stop drinking after years of daily heavy abuse was to slowly taper down the drinking over a couple weeks to reduce the detox effects. Unfortunately, the taper method isn't very effective with us alcoholics because once we hit that limit, we say F it and keep on drinking regardless of our original intentions.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. One thing every one of us here has learned, you can't do it by yourself. Best of luck.
And as also noted, the best course of action to stop. I was told by the Dr. the safest way to stop drinking after years of daily heavy abuse was to slowly taper down the drinking over a couple weeks to reduce the detox effects. Unfortunately, the taper method isn't very effective with us alcoholics because once we hit that limit, we say F it and keep on drinking regardless of our original intentions.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. One thing every one of us here has learned, you can't do it by yourself. Best of luck.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 37
Originally Posted by abgator 
To echo the other posts, your GP should be the first stop. You need a blood test to check on your liver. You may need to change more than your drinking habits (eliminate processed carbs and sugar) so your liver can heal itself.
And as also noted, the best course of action to stop. I was told by the Dr. the safest way to stop drinking after years of daily heavy abuse was to slowly taper down the drinking over a couple weeks to reduce the detox effects. Unfortunately, the taper method isn't very effective with us alcoholics because once we hit that limit, we say F it and keep on drinking regardless of our original intentions.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. One thing every one of us here has learned, you can't do it by yourself. Best of luck.
And as also noted, the best course of action to stop. I was told by the Dr. the safest way to stop drinking after years of daily heavy abuse was to slowly taper down the drinking over a couple weeks to reduce the detox effects. Unfortunately, the taper method isn't very effective with us alcoholics because once we hit that limit, we say F it and keep on drinking regardless of our original intentions.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. One thing every one of us here has learned, you can't do it by yourself. Best of luck.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,872
I never tried to taper. I knew all too well what would happen. Tapering or moderation wouldn't work for me, but everyone's different.
I agree, go to your doctor and be brutally honest about your drinking and that you want to quit for good.
Best to you, and yeah, hit that meeting when you're ready.
I agree, go to your doctor and be brutally honest about your drinking and that you want to quit for good.
Best to you, and yeah, hit that meeting when you're ready.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Colorado
Posts: 347
Originally Posted by joshuatreee
... I've also located an AA group within a quick walk from my house so will be reaching out to them but....
I might mention where not to start: "Yeah, but first......."
Unless you immediately need an emergency room, go immediately to the dang AA meeting now and talk to the people there about local doctors. (It's good you took the step to find one at least.)
I've seen people prolong their drinking and in some cases die saying, "Yeah, I will, but first I gotta...(fill in the blank, or, use something like taper off first--you already know the answer to tapering off)."
p.s. I'd sugar coat all this, but it sounds like you've been around the block a few times and know the score. Go for it.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: S.E. MI
Posts: 1,025
My taper was my normal bottle of rum to 10 beers the next day and 4 beers the next day then nothing for almost 3 months now. Tapers are generally not recommended as they are difficult cuz your still drinking and just want to drink more , ofcourse. I did the fast 2 day taper just cuz I was worried about withdrawals since I had had the habit for almost 3 decades. I only had minimal withdrawals but I dont think it was because of the taper but who knows. Best of luck to you. You can do it just like alot of folks have. I to signed up at first a long time ago and am just now quitting for good so I know where your at and it can be done.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 37
Originally Posted by ColoradoRocky
Where to start?
I might mention where not to start: "Yeah, but first......."
Unless you immediately need an emergency room, go immediately to the dang AA meeting now and talk to the people there about local doctors. (It's good you took the step to find one at least.)
I've seen people prolong their drinking and in some cases die saying, "Yeah, I will, but first I gotta...(fill in the blank, or, use something like taper off first--you already know the answer to tapering off)."
p.s. I'd sugar coat all this, but it sounds like you've been around the block a few times and know the score. Go for it.
I might mention where not to start: "Yeah, but first......."
Unless you immediately need an emergency room, go immediately to the dang AA meeting now and talk to the people there about local doctors. (It's good you took the step to find one at least.)
I've seen people prolong their drinking and in some cases die saying, "Yeah, I will, but first I gotta...(fill in the blank, or, use something like taper off first--you already know the answer to tapering off)."
p.s. I'd sugar coat all this, but it sounds like you've been around the block a few times and know the score. Go for it.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Big City
Posts: 3,895
Im 42, quit a year and a half ago, tapered, no AA, just this amazing website, Rational Recovery and deciding FINALLY to put my values and desire for a better life over my desires to get drunk.
Start with today and then the next today and eventually things will get easier.
A plan is what's needed though. Dee is the man for that.
Welcome. A better life is just waiting for you.
Start with today and then the next today and eventually things will get easier.
A plan is what's needed though. Dee is the man for that.
Welcome. A better life is just waiting for you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 37
Originally Posted by lessgravity
Im 42, quit a year and a half ago, tapered, no AA, just this amazing website, Rational Recovery and deciding FINALLY to put my values and desire for a better life over my desires to get drunk.
Start with today and then the next today and eventually things will get easier.
A plan is what's needed though. Dee is the man for that.
Welcome. A better life is just waiting for you.
Start with today and then the next today and eventually things will get easier.
A plan is what's needed though. Dee is the man for that.
Welcome. A better life is just waiting for you.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,782
I hope you use the awesome support here to help you get sober for good. I don't regret quitting one bit, and wish I had done it sooner. But I'm sober now, almost 10 yrs, and wake up most days feeling good and ready for the day.
For lots of support, post in the October Class thread here on Newcomers forum.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-part-1-a.html
Or post daily on the 24 hour thread in Daily Support forum.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...art-457-a.html (24 Hour Recovery Connections Part 457)
Any time you feel like drinking, come here and post instead so we can talk you out of it.
I don't regret quitting one bit, and wish I had done it sooner. But I'm sober now, almost 10 yrs, and wake up most days feeling good and ready for the day. For lots of support, post in the October Class thread here on Newcomers forum.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-part-1-a.html
Or post daily on the 24 hour thread in Daily Support forum.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...art-457-a.html (24 Hour Recovery Connections Part 457)
Any time you feel like drinking, come here and post instead so we can talk you out of it.
The opposite of addiction is connection.
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 373
I went to the ER and then to a professional detox center and it was among the best decisions I’ve made. Tapering never worked for me, but at detox they bring you down gently with meds. After 7 days I felt like a human again. This last detox was located in a home with comfy furniture, Netflix and good company. Nurses were there 24/7 and doc came in for daily check ins. They prescribed me Naltrexone for cravings and it’s been a game changer.
At a bottle of vodka daily I’d suggest seeing a doc however you do it. Withdrawal can be life threatening.
At a bottle of vodka daily I’d suggest seeing a doc however you do it. Withdrawal can be life threatening.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: NY
Posts: 327
I never tried to taper , I do not think I would have been able to do it. You could go to a meeting shaking and baking appearances don’t matter. AA saved me , very hard at first but it got easier..
Pick any program or anyway to get sober, find out what works for YOU. Best of luck , welcome to the journey you will not regret it
Pick any program or anyway to get sober, find out what works for YOU. Best of luck , welcome to the journey you will not regret it
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,169
When a person decides to stop drinking is there some way he can know before hand if he will actually need such intense medical care?
How about just quitting and seeing what happens and then getting yourself to a hospital on an as needed basis?
What are the actual chances that a person would quit and not notice that he is in grave danger?
How about just quitting and seeing what happens and then getting yourself to a hospital on an as needed basis?
What are the actual chances that a person would quit and not notice that he is in grave danger?
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,169
Originally Posted by Cascabel
The problem could be that by the time you notice you are in grave danger it could be too late to get help.
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