Hi from sunny England (well it is today for once)
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Birmingham, England
Posts: 665
Hi from sunny England (well it is today for once)
Hi just found this site after finally deciding after 22 years of drinking that I need to quit and get my life sorted once and for all. The depression and drinking come hand in hand to often and to beat the depression I have to beat the alcohol.
As most of us on here will tell the youngsters to keep clear of the drink, why the hell is it so hard to give in? Well this is the conversation I have with my other half every other week. I keep telling her that it is highly addictive but she will not listen.
I have not drank now for 2 days (took some time of work) and she thinks I should be like a spring lamb jumping around. I have tried to explain about the withdrawals and how "bad" they can be but she thinks it is all "in my head".
I know that this is a little bit of a ramble but my head does seem a trifle bit fuzzy. Just hope things will be a bit better tomorrow and I hope I can get myself back into a normal life.
Thanks for listening
Spen
As most of us on here will tell the youngsters to keep clear of the drink, why the hell is it so hard to give in? Well this is the conversation I have with my other half every other week. I keep telling her that it is highly addictive but she will not listen.
I have not drank now for 2 days (took some time of work) and she thinks I should be like a spring lamb jumping around. I have tried to explain about the withdrawals and how "bad" they can be but she thinks it is all "in my head".
I know that this is a little bit of a ramble but my head does seem a trifle bit fuzzy. Just hope things will be a bit better tomorrow and I hope I can get myself back into a normal life.
Thanks for listening
Spen
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 18,299
Hi Spen and welcome! 
I am from the UK too and am 7 months sober now, it wasn't easy and it wasn't in my head! LOL
Alcohol withdrawals are BAD, so bad people can die from it. If you have been drinking a lot you should really seek some medical advice.
I suffer from depression too and yes, drinking makes it far worse.
I am glad you found us!
8
I am from the UK too and am 7 months sober now, it wasn't easy and it wasn't in my head! LOL
Alcohol withdrawals are BAD, so bad people can die from it. If you have been drinking a lot you should really seek some medical advice.
I suffer from depression too and yes, drinking makes it far worse.
I am glad you found us!
8
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
Spen first things first, see a doc as soon as you can, withdrawal from alcohol can and does kill without medical supervision. When I detoxed even with all the meds they were giving me, the third day was when the withdrawals started to overcome the meds they were already giving me, lucky for me I was already in detox so they simply upped the dosage for the anti-seizure meds before I went into full blown DTs!
Once you have seen the doc I highly reccommend you buy the other half one of 2 books, "Under the Influence" or "Beyond the Influence" and both of you sit down and read it together, this book takes scientific research on alcoholism and puts it into laymans terms explaining a lot of things that most doctors do not even know about the disease of alcoholism.
Once you have seen the doc I highly reccommend you buy the other half one of 2 books, "Under the Influence" or "Beyond the Influence" and both of you sit down and read it together, this book takes scientific research on alcoholism and puts it into laymans terms explaining a lot of things that most doctors do not even know about the disease of alcoholism.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Birmingham, England
Posts: 665
Thanks Tazman and Stone for your advice. My withdrawals are not as bad as they were a previous time I stopped drinking as I was ill. Only really lack of sleep, nasuea and a confused feeling in my head today. I am trying to keep myself busy by doing little jobs around the house, even though that is difficult.
The previous time I used to work in a brewery and used to drink for 16 hours a day none stop. I never seemed to get drunk just enough to keep me topped up and of course to keep on functioning. I then got a stomach bug so I could never keep beer down. The withdrawals were terrible then with me seeing and hearing things and also having panic attacks. Somehow then I actually kept on going to work on the night shift as I was in charge of just one other and I could get away with doing nothing. I went the doctors that time and he prescribed some drug, cannot remember what it is called.
My biggest fear of staying sober is boredom. Ever since I can remember I get bored so easily and even with my kids around I still get bored. My whole life has always evolved around going to the pubs to see my mates. My missus always said they are not really mates and as my situation has reeached this point (no money and really down) I can she she is right. I am semi-self employed and some of the work I get comes from the pub so I suppose I will have to look for work elsewhere.
I should really know better about the dangers of alcohol abuse. My mother has a serious problem with her drinking a bottle of Vodka a day and my Uncle died of damaged Liver. I very rarely drink spirits and only Wine now and again, I have always stuck to beer or cider.
All in all I need to get off the beer to get me out of the depression (somedays just want to stay in bed) and if I want my own business it is better to stay sober.
Cheers for your kind words.
Spen
The previous time I used to work in a brewery and used to drink for 16 hours a day none stop. I never seemed to get drunk just enough to keep me topped up and of course to keep on functioning. I then got a stomach bug so I could never keep beer down. The withdrawals were terrible then with me seeing and hearing things and also having panic attacks. Somehow then I actually kept on going to work on the night shift as I was in charge of just one other and I could get away with doing nothing. I went the doctors that time and he prescribed some drug, cannot remember what it is called.
My biggest fear of staying sober is boredom. Ever since I can remember I get bored so easily and even with my kids around I still get bored. My whole life has always evolved around going to the pubs to see my mates. My missus always said they are not really mates and as my situation has reeached this point (no money and really down) I can she she is right. I am semi-self employed and some of the work I get comes from the pub so I suppose I will have to look for work elsewhere.
I should really know better about the dangers of alcohol abuse. My mother has a serious problem with her drinking a bottle of Vodka a day and my Uncle died of damaged Liver. I very rarely drink spirits and only Wine now and again, I have always stuck to beer or cider.
All in all I need to get off the beer to get me out of the depression (somedays just want to stay in bed) and if I want my own business it is better to stay sober.
Cheers for your kind words.
Spen
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 143
Doctors
Spen, I agree that seeing a doctor would be prudent. You might see if your wife could go with you, simply so that the doc (assuming he/she is a good one), can explain to her and you the medical piece of what you're suffering, and that it's not all in your head. In addition, you may need treatment for your depression as well.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Birmingham, England
Posts: 665
Originally Posted by vashti45 
Spen, I agree that seeing a doctor would be prudent. You might see if your wife could go with you, simply so that the doc (assuming he/she is a good one), can explain to her and you the medical piece of what you're suffering, and that it's not all in your head. In addition, you may need treatment for your depression as well.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
I have been prescribed fluoroxetine (PROZAC), but I always seem to forget to take it. The question I always ask myself is why I am depressed? And it always comes around that I believe I am an 36 year old failure whos live is just passing by. Then I think the reason why I am a failure is because I drink too much, so I reach for a beer to make me feel better. It is a viscious circle really and stupid really.
Spen
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 143
Depression
Depression can be situational, caused by unhealthy beliefs/thoughts. That may be the case with you. It may also be physiological, in which case Prozac or another anti-depressant may be useful or even necessary. Have you seen a psychiatrist or psychotherapist? Merely being prescribed medicine isn't usually sufficient for depression treatment. And while I agree that quitting drinking is the top priority, you want to have all the help you can get to stay sober, and trying to fight depression without medication or therapy is pretty tough.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
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Hi and Welcome,
It sounds like you're doing pretty well.
If you're taking Prozac (antidepressant), you should probably expect it to take a week or so to begin to work. Apparently antidepressants need to get into your system for awhile before you notice the effect. You ask why are you depressed and that can be a very relevant question, but depression can also be due to a chemical imbalance. In my case, the depression came first, then much later, the drinking.
I hope you feel better, but remember that you can get through this!
It sounds like you're doing pretty well.
If you're taking Prozac (antidepressant), you should probably expect it to take a week or so to begin to work. Apparently antidepressants need to get into your system for awhile before you notice the effect. You ask why are you depressed and that can be a very relevant question, but depression can also be due to a chemical imbalance. In my case, the depression came first, then much later, the drinking.
I hope you feel better, but remember that you can get through this!
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan -- Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Posts: 325
This I know... depression meds, a LOt of meds, actually, tend to make you feel terrible for the first few days/even weeks, as they build up in your system. It WILL get better... and if the symptoms seem to be more than you can tolerate, call your MD, there are other meds with "other" side-effects... Some more, some less, they hit every differently for the most part.
Sending prayers and hugs....
Sending prayers and hugs....
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Birmingham, England
Posts: 665
Hello again
Well it is 4 days off the booze now and I am surprised how easy I have found it so far. I am smoking a lot more at the moment but I have quit the cigs before so not too bothered about that. I had one massive urge last night while with my wife and decided to get the scrabble board out. The way I have dealt with it after the initial withdrawal is to keep myself as busy as possible. Off to do a neighbours skirting board now so that should take most of the day up.
Spen
Well it is 4 days off the booze now and I am surprised how easy I have found it so far. I am smoking a lot more at the moment but I have quit the cigs before so not too bothered about that. I had one massive urge last night while with my wife and decided to get the scrabble board out
. The way I have dealt with it after the initial withdrawal is to keep myself as busy as possible. Off to do a neighbours skirting board now so that should take most of the day up.Spen
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: England
Posts: 1,733
Welcome to SR Spen, hang in there in these early days. I buried my head for donkeys years with alcohol, problems don't go away but i would still rather face them with a clear head.
We moved 7 years ago and that broke the cycle of going out drinking with my mates, so i can understand how difficult this will be for you.
We are from down south but one of my brothers lives in Harborne, best wishes.
We moved 7 years ago and that broke the cycle of going out drinking with my mates, so i can understand how difficult this will be for you.
We are from down south but one of my brothers lives in Harborne, best wishes.
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
Spen -
I just saw the post about the Prozac - you asked how long it took to taake effect.
Some of those AD's take weeks to get 'set up' in th esystem. When *I* took Prozac, I noticed a definite difference in only four days.
I hope it's that way for you.
I've taken others that take up to two MONTHS to get 'set up'...
Sorry I missed that earlier.
I just saw the post about the Prozac - you asked how long it took to taake effect.
Some of those AD's take weeks to get 'set up' in th esystem. When *I* took Prozac, I noticed a definite difference in only four days.
I hope it's that way for you.
I've taken others that take up to two MONTHS to get 'set up'...
Sorry I missed that earlier.
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