SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

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Empty Cartridge 07-06-2007 01:08 AM

New to the forum, major problem
 
Hello everyone.

I finally admitted last week, to myself and my ex-girlfriend, that I am an alcoholic. I suppose that I have known it for a long time, but I always told myself that it was a social thing.

Well....it isn't true. I cannot sleep without excessive amounts of alcohol, as many as 15 beers. I am not a bar lush, meaning I do not get wasted at a bar and exhibit socially ugly behavior. I am a pro at this. I drink a few at the bar, then come home and get wasted, in private.

I have been drinking heavily, mostly under disguise, for 17 years.

About six months ago, I started getting kidney pains, and they have not stopped since. I assume it is because of the alcohol.

My biggest problem (but certainly not the only one) at the moment is that I cannot eat. If I am able to get 1/2 of a meal down in an entire day, that is an accomplishment. Sometimes, a hot dog is the most food I can get down without throwing up. Drinking kills my appetite. The second I taste a beer, I lose any taste for food, besides salty things or "cocktails food" like olives, pickles, plain cheese, pepperonis, etc.

I have not been able to keep down a decent meal in four months. I tried to do a healthy meal in the mornings of fruit and dairy, but barfed it up (apple and banana everywhere). When I do get famished (massive stomach pains), I am able to suppress it until I get my one meal for the day. I have lost some weight, but it seems like my body is adapting to the lack of calories, and I am at a weight appropriate for my height.

Here's a good example of how eating is going for me: Tonight I ordered a fish and chips at about 7:00 (my first meal of the day). I was able to force down two pieces of fish and about 20 fries. I mean forced in that if I had eaten it any quicker, I would have thrown it up. I went through three huge glasses of water, and it took me about 45 minutes to finish.

I want to tackle my alcoholism, and soon. But first, I need to figure out how to eat and sleep without it. I am (successfully) self-employed, but have no insurance. I could continue this until I die, and no-one would ever know why I died. Seriously, I am a pro at putting up a front.

I hope that someone has some advice. I don't want to stumble through this and fail. I don't car if I gain 100 pounds....I need to be able to sleep and eat without killing myself with booze.

Latte 07-06-2007 01:14 AM

You may need to be medically detoxed and be treated for ulcers. My father had the same issues. He only treats the ulcers though. He is still active. (this is not medical advice, just an opinion of an alcoholic/addict/codie).

I hope you find answers here.

barb dwyer 07-06-2007 01:30 AM

hi EC - and welcome to the forum!

Detoxing from alcohol without medical supervision is downright dangerous.

That's as simple as I can put it.

I had no $$$ for it, either, but went through a State funded clinic to do it.
I didn't check into rehab or anything like that.
But I needed a Doc 'on hand' ... and was able to have that through the clinic.

Check out the sticky on the top of the Alcoholism forums called 'Excerpts from under the Influence' .
there's other sticky's there you might want to read as well.

Good luck to ya, and we're here ... we're just not medical advisors.

stone 07-06-2007 01:31 AM

'I want to tackle my alcoholism, and soon. But first, I need to figure out how to eat and sleep without it'----

The eating and sleeping problems are fairly standard when drinking heavily, I have gone days without eating when drinking and when I dont drink I get insomnia.

When/if you quit, the eating and sleeping sort themselves out eventually.

Welcome to the forum. :)

Lizrox 07-06-2007 01:33 AM

Welcome to SR. You will receive lots of support.

Empty Cartridge 07-06-2007 01:52 AM

Thank you for the responses. Even though I haven't found my answer yet (I will look into the state thing), even seeing responses of understanding make me tear up. I cannot publicly admit my problem to anyone, including famliy or friends.....it will kill my career. It took as much as I could muster just to register here.

This is a very emotional thing for me. Admitting that I have a problem is no small thing, as I am sure that many of you can relate to.

I am tearing up as I write: I want to get better, and I know what I a doing is killing me. But I have a near-compulsion to drink. I do not want to die and my family to say "We had no idea."

The eating thing is driving me nuts. I can be as hungry as you can possibly imagine, but cannot get myself to eat. I am not comfortable in eliminating drinking until I am sure I will be able to eat. I can smoke weed and I'll eat a little, but it inevitably makes me want to drink more.

Seriously, thank you for the responses.

indigo 07-06-2007 03:03 AM

Is your Doctor sympathetic? Maybe you could talk to she/he about your problem and how to address it.

Rusty Zipper 07-06-2007 03:49 AM

EC, first off... happy to see your trying to something asbout the problem...

EC

My biggest problem (but certainly not the only one) at the moment is that I cannot eat. If I am able to get 1/2 of a meal down in an entire day, that is an
accomplishment.
foer me, i was at that point also... stage three alcoholism was set'n in.. my liver and kidneys were shutting down.. became a sickening greenish color with some nice yellow highlights... arg...

was about 30lbs overweight, all bloat!....

EC, please go see a doc, fess up all, and dont try the home detox after alll the years of belt'n back the booze.. .

i did it that way, and i dont recomend it, its real dangerous...

i might add tho... all the pain i went through from it, has kept it real green for me til this day, over four years later... EC, ya might say, i was willing to die for one day of not belt'n back the booze...

all good wishes EC...

xxoo, rz

Rowan 07-06-2007 04:58 AM

Welcome to our recovery community - you've gotten some solid advice from other members. Please keep us posted on your progress. We do care and understand.

Grateful Heart 07-06-2007 05:42 AM

Welcome
 
Hi EC, glad to have you here with us. I agree with the folks who advised you to see a doctor; please do ASAP. And keep reading and posting here. Sending prayers your way. GH.

Anna 07-06-2007 05:55 AM

Hi and Welcome,

Drinking killed my appetite too. I think the sugar in the alcohol just killed my desire to eat, plus I was getting sicker. But, I think you need to stop the drinking first. And, of course, chedk with your dr because it could be dangerous. Once you do that, the appetite and sleep will return. I quickly gained back the weight I had lost once I stopped drinking and food tasted wonderful. The sleep issues will probably take a lot longer, but with patience you'll be okay.

parentrecovers 07-06-2007 06:36 AM

nice to meet you, ac - keep posting! blessings, k

CarolD 07-06-2007 09:47 AM

Welcome EC....:)

You are putting the horse before the cart.
It's the alcohol that is making these problems.

Noticed blood in your urine yet?
How about blood in your vomit?

My experience ....
I had to have 3 transfusions and was in
ICU for days with internal bleeding.

And BTW...it did not give me severe pain .
A few stomach cramps is all.

So Yes! You need medical attention ASAP
Go to your doctor or to a cunty health
department or a f ree clinic
The Salvation Army has many free services.

I do hope you seek assistance before you
become too ill to care.

Alcohol literally eats into your organs
brain ..stomach...kidneys...liver..all orgns.

Here is a link to the info Barb mentioned

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html


Blessings

Lively 07-06-2007 10:50 AM

I detoxed alone. I was VERY lucky that I was able to do it without serious problems. I didn't have the problem with eating that you do though. That alone makes me think you have an underlying issue that has more than likely been caused by the alcohol. You really need to see a doctor and tell him/her everything. I don't think you should try to detox by yourself.

I'm glad for you that you've taken this first step. You've admitted you have a problem and you want to quit drinking. Baby steps. One day at a time.

Congratulations!!

NOMOMERLOTMAMMA 07-06-2007 11:41 AM

Hi EC. Welcome.

K

tkdan 07-06-2007 12:40 PM

Hey EC. Just wanted to welcome you. You will be able to find many people here that have been there and done that. It really helps to hear from others that have been through it. I do agree with everyone here, you do need to see a Dr. The eating issue is easy first your taking in many many calories with beer so your body does not have that natural instinct to eat to survive, next all the years of abusing you stomach lining makes it difficult for it to handle food. It will not get better if you continue to drink there is no other way to put it. You have taken the right step by recognizing there is a problem. Now take the next step and start to fix the problem. Keep us posted. Good luck.

Debaucher 07-06-2007 01:51 PM


Originally Posted by Empty Cartridge (Post 1398641)
This is a very emotional thing for me. Admitting that I have a problem is no small thing, as I am sure that many of you can relate to.

I am tearing up as I write: I want to get better, and I know what I a doing is killing me. But I have a near-compulsion to drink. I do not want to die and my family to say "We had no idea."

I found going to AA very liberating in removing my shame about my drinking.

For a time the only place I felt comfortable in my skin was at an AA meeting. The folks there have walked a few miles in my shoes... they got it... they didn't judge me... they just wanted to help... and them being there did... The forum is great but going to a live meeting... although a bit more intimidating is much better...

I will keep you in my thoughts...

Change4life 07-06-2007 02:32 PM

Welcomt Sr EC.

A big problem with alcoholics is that when we are drinking we dont eat. Drinking on an empty stomache just tears the lining up.

Im no expert, but I think you should atleast TRY to stop drinking before you address the eating and sleeping issues. eating will come back slowly and sleeping well that takes a little longer.

I would like to make a suggestion about your diet. If you can only hold down small amounts of food you might want to try to eat things that are healthier than hotdogs and fried foods. Try some fruit and veggies they are vitamin packed and vitamin depletion is also a big problem with drinkers. Plus you might find they go down easier. The fish is a good thing, but try to have it baked. Fried foods are hard for anyone to take especially those with stomach problems.
Once again welcome and keep posting you will find the support here immeasurable.

BaldHeadedJohn 07-06-2007 03:08 PM

Welcome Empty Cartridge!

As everyone else has pretty much said, you NEED to see a doctor. I began having pains at the end, too. Nothing too severe, but I thought I might be developing an ulcer or pancreatitis. I got lucky. You need to get some medical attention. Remember, your career won't mean anything if you're in ICU for weeks. Please be careful.

Blessings and prayers to EC. Keep in touch,'K

BHJ

Macphisto 07-06-2007 03:17 PM

Weird thing is that I actually get hungry when I drink. Of course once I eat I feel absolutely no desire to continue drinking. So if I wan't to continue drinking I'll put off eating till late and it's cause me to gain about 20+ lbs withing the last few years.

Maybe we're at diferent stages of our alchoholism but having pain definately signals a problem. You need to see a doctor before it's too late..


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