Any advice for a newbie please!!!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich
Posts: 10
Any advice for a newbie please!!!
Hi everyone,
I'm 23 and have been drinking heavily for about 5 years now. I don't drink everyday but I drink about 4 times a week to the point of passing out! I have also ended up in hospital a few times after overdosing on various drugs and throwing myself down the stairs nearly breaking my shoulder. I drink because a lot of the time I feel depressed and can't go out with friends unless I've had a drink because I get sooooo nervous! I get horendous hangovers where I hve to stay in bed for the whole day after drinking. Does anyone have any advice on what help to seek? I want to give up but can't live being depressed all the time and drink is the only thing that makes me feel better. I'm on antidepressants and the doctor said I can't have a higher does becasue i'm all ready on the max. amount. I just don't know what to do and I';m really worried this is going to get worse and one day I'll do something that I won't recover from!!
I'm 23 and have been drinking heavily for about 5 years now. I don't drink everyday but I drink about 4 times a week to the point of passing out! I have also ended up in hospital a few times after overdosing on various drugs and throwing myself down the stairs nearly breaking my shoulder. I drink because a lot of the time I feel depressed and can't go out with friends unless I've had a drink because I get sooooo nervous! I get horendous hangovers where I hve to stay in bed for the whole day after drinking. Does anyone have any advice on what help to seek? I want to give up but can't live being depressed all the time and drink is the only thing that makes me feel better. I'm on antidepressants and the doctor said I can't have a higher does becasue i'm all ready on the max. amount. I just don't know what to do and I';m really worried this is going to get worse and one day I'll do something that I won't recover from!!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 176
Sarah: You are in the right place. This is a wonderful website for sharing and support. You can spend hours getting useful information. Look under the 12 steps.....step 1. Congrats on posting a thread. Half the battle is admitting you have a problem and you are obviously wanting to change. Like you, I don't drink everyday, usually just on the weekends. Once I've had 3-4 drinks,I can't just stop. I have no control. I end up wasted, think I'm soooo much fun, then acting like an idiot. I have blackouts and hangovers probably every other weekend. I am also on an antidepressant. I think the alcohol takes away the effectiveness. Hopefully if you stop drinking, the antidepressant will start working. You can do it!!!
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,469
Hi and Welcome,
I think you will find that antidepressants do not work properly when you're drinking. The alcohol negates the effect of the medication. Also, I had to try three different meds to find one that worked for me. If you stop drinking, and your medication is not working, then talk to your dr about trying something different.
The best place to start is by talking to your dr because detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous.
I am glad that you're seeking help.
I think you will find that antidepressants do not work properly when you're drinking. The alcohol negates the effect of the medication. Also, I had to try three different meds to find one that worked for me. If you stop drinking, and your medication is not working, then talk to your dr about trying something different.
The best place to start is by talking to your dr because detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous.
I am glad that you're seeking help.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by CAPTAINZING2000 
Have you thought about trying AA? Do they have meetings where you live?
Did you tell your Dr. about your drinking?
Did you tell your Dr. about your drinking?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by Phaleron
Do you have any family close to where you're living? Welcome to SR sarah!
Phal
Phal
Thanks for everyones warm welcome!!! It's a great relief to finally talk to people that understand without judging me!
love rules without rules
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 8
Hey Sarah,
you sound like exactly where I was 8 months ago. First of all, as I learned the hard way, alcohol is NOT helping your depression because it is a depressant. You think it is because it numbs your mind for a time, but in the end you feel worse than ever. secondly, your anti-depressants aren't working because the alcohol cancels them out - as my doctor told me when I finally came clean about my alcohol use. You probably haven't told your doc how much you are drinking. so higher dosages of meds will not work if you keep drinking.
I am currently sober and on meds and they are working great. I too drank before going out with friends and thought that was the only way I could have fun. It isn't true, I am somehow more comfortable with myself not drinking at a party or a get-together than I was when i was drinking. How is that possible? I think because when we drink to feel better about ourselves, we send ourselves an unconscious message that we are not alright and we need drinks to be more interesting and likeable. likewise, not drinking, you are sending yourself a message that "I am okay as I am." It is amazing the difference it makes.
Go to AA meetings. it may be very nervewracking at first. heck, drink before you go if you want. just get to one. you will find comeraderie and lots of people who totally understand what you are going through. Do it for yourself, you are worth it!
~Beth
you sound like exactly where I was 8 months ago. First of all, as I learned the hard way, alcohol is NOT helping your depression because it is a depressant. You think it is because it numbs your mind for a time, but in the end you feel worse than ever. secondly, your anti-depressants aren't working because the alcohol cancels them out - as my doctor told me when I finally came clean about my alcohol use. You probably haven't told your doc how much you are drinking. so higher dosages of meds will not work if you keep drinking.
I am currently sober and on meds and they are working great. I too drank before going out with friends and thought that was the only way I could have fun. It isn't true, I am somehow more comfortable with myself not drinking at a party or a get-together than I was when i was drinking. How is that possible? I think because when we drink to feel better about ourselves, we send ourselves an unconscious message that we are not alright and we need drinks to be more interesting and likeable. likewise, not drinking, you are sending yourself a message that "I am okay as I am." It is amazing the difference it makes.
Go to AA meetings. it may be very nervewracking at first. heck, drink before you go if you want. just get to one. you will find comeraderie and lots of people who totally understand what you are going through. Do it for yourself, you are worth it!
~Beth
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Glad you joined us and extra glad your going to
be honest with your doctor.....
I was surprized how quickly I got back in balance
mentally and physically after I started AA.
It's an awesome adventure in living healthy and sober.
....You never have to feel alone again.
Plus...you'll meet new friends to party sober with.
Please keep posting...Welcome!
be honest with your doctor.....
I was surprized how quickly I got back in balance
mentally and physically after I started AA.
It's an awesome adventure in living healthy and sober.
....You never have to feel alone again.Plus...you'll meet new friends to party sober with.
Please keep posting...Welcome!
Next stop: real life
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 990
Sarah, you sound so much like me. I started drinking at 18 when I started school... By 22 I was a rock-bottom alcoholic. I'm 23 now, going back to school on Monday (I dropped out almost three years ago), and on Tuesday I'll have been sober for a year! When I decided to get help the first thing I did was tell my doctor. He referred me to an AODA counselor, who referred me to a treatment center. Scary-sounding, I know, and some people quit without treatment, but for me it was necessary. A lot of people find that AA is the best choice for them -- try to find Young People's meetings if you can! You'd be amazed how many people in AA are our age or younger. And it's a great way to make sober friends, which is especially important if you're in a college environment.
As Anna said, drinking majorly screws up antidepressants. I'm not going to say I'm not depressed anymore, but going sober certainly helped my ADs to work properly.
TL;DR, I apologize.
Feel free to send me a PM (or contact me on AIM) if you want to talk! Congrats on your decision to do something now, hon.
As Anna said, drinking majorly screws up antidepressants. I'm not going to say I'm not depressed anymore, but going sober certainly helped my ADs to work properly.
TL;DR, I apologize.
Feel free to send me a PM (or contact me on AIM) if you want to talk! Congrats on your decision to do something now, hon.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Midwest
Posts: 70
Sarah, I can really relate to your story.
I am 24, have been drinking for the last 6 years or so. I didn't drink every day, but when I did I kept drinking until the alcohol was gone or I was passed out.
Today I have 85 days sober. I did it by:
posting here
going to AA meetings
seeing a therapist
getting a sponsor in AA
I think it's very tough to get sober at a young age, especially when it is the social "norm" for us to be partying consistently. I know that I have saved myself a lot of pain and wasted years though by sobering up at 24.
I would really suggest going to an AA meeting. It saved my life!
Best of luck to you!
Also, just to warn you - when I stopped drinking, I found that my antidepressant medication made me feel zombie like and numb. Turns out I was overmedicated, because the medication wasn't working to its full effect when I was drinking. Now I'm on a lower dose and I feel much better. Just something to keep in mind.
I am 24, have been drinking for the last 6 years or so. I didn't drink every day, but when I did I kept drinking until the alcohol was gone or I was passed out.
Today I have 85 days sober. I did it by:
posting here
going to AA meetings
seeing a therapist
getting a sponsor in AA
I think it's very tough to get sober at a young age, especially when it is the social "norm" for us to be partying consistently. I know that I have saved myself a lot of pain and wasted years though by sobering up at 24.
I would really suggest going to an AA meeting. It saved my life!
Best of luck to you!
Also, just to warn you - when I stopped drinking, I found that my antidepressant medication made me feel zombie like and numb. Turns out I was overmedicated, because the medication wasn't working to its full effect when I was drinking. Now I'm on a lower dose and I feel much better. Just something to keep in mind.
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