needing advice
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
needing advice
Hello I am new to this forum and I am an alcoholic. I am 28 years old and have been drinking for 10+ years.
I was in treatment back in 2006 but relapsed again soon after. I have been trying to get into detox but I cant afford it and don't know what else to do.
Also I have been doing painkillers just about everyday for at least 8 months along with drinking. Can't seem to get past 2 days of sobriety without using again and this is getting out of hand because I am ready to quit this BS.
I guess my only other option is to detox on my own at home but i'm scared about how severe the withdrawals could be without medication and/or medical supervision. Haven't had a drink in 2 days and I am anxious, irritable and can't sleep for more than 2 hours at a time.
I am thinking about going to a clinic to see if they will prescribe a benzo for a week or so for withdrawal. If I can get past the first week perhaps I will feel better and will start going to AA meetings. I know that benzodiazepines are addictive but if I only take them for a week and they can help me sleep and lessen my anxiety then I think that would be a good choice for me. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I was in treatment back in 2006 but relapsed again soon after. I have been trying to get into detox but I cant afford it and don't know what else to do.
Also I have been doing painkillers just about everyday for at least 8 months along with drinking. Can't seem to get past 2 days of sobriety without using again and this is getting out of hand because I am ready to quit this BS.
I guess my only other option is to detox on my own at home but i'm scared about how severe the withdrawals could be without medication and/or medical supervision. Haven't had a drink in 2 days and I am anxious, irritable and can't sleep for more than 2 hours at a time.
I am thinking about going to a clinic to see if they will prescribe a benzo for a week or so for withdrawal. If I can get past the first week perhaps I will feel better and will start going to AA meetings. I know that benzodiazepines are addictive but if I only take them for a week and they can help me sleep and lessen my anxiety then I think that would be a good choice for me. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In my sanctuary, my home
Posts: 39,853
Welcome to SR! You will find a lot of support here. I'm glad to hear that you want to get sober. It is a decision you will never regret. Do you have a regular doctor? You can go to him and explain what you are wanting to do. He might be able to give you some help to lessen the withdrawal effects. If you find yourself feeling too bad, you can always to go the ER and tell them you are detoxing from alcohol. They can help, too.
Please read the stickies at the top of this forum. You will find a lot of useful information there. Keep posting. We're here to support you.
Please read the stickies at the top of this forum. You will find a lot of useful information there. Keep posting. We're here to support you.
I hope you get the help you need to get past the rough part of w/d. Living sober is its own reward and waking up feeling good is just icing on the cake.
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,597
I definitely think the best course of action is to see a doctor and tell him/her exactly what's going on for you. I detoxed on my own from alcohol, pain killers, xanax and sleeping tablets and I had a nervous breakdown at about the 60 day sober mark.
Please believe that YOUR plan for detoxing may not be the best one. Seek out a drug and alcohol clinic or go see your doctor and ask for advice about what to do.
I would also encourage you not to wait until you are sober for a week to go to AA. Go today. The disease of addiction plays little mind games with us so the sooner you get into recovery the better. You've just said you can't get past two days without using but you'll go to AA when you have not used for a week. Can you see that is addictive, or what we call in AA 'diseased' thinking? You'll almost certainly fail if you try and get that week on your own - this disease of addiction sets us up for failure at every turn.
Go to an AA meeting as soon as you can. Don't listen to what your head tells you. The best course of action for you right now is to see a medical expert for advice about how to detox, and to go to an AA meeting. Don't try and figure things out for yourself, because look how well that's turned out so far, right?
Try doing a google searchin your area for free or low cost drug and alcohol rehabs etc. Your doctor might be able to refer you to a free or low cost service as well. There are not-for-profit rehabs around. They aren't all prohibitively expensive.
Please believe that YOUR plan for detoxing may not be the best one. Seek out a drug and alcohol clinic or go see your doctor and ask for advice about what to do.
I would also encourage you not to wait until you are sober for a week to go to AA. Go today. The disease of addiction plays little mind games with us so the sooner you get into recovery the better. You've just said you can't get past two days without using but you'll go to AA when you have not used for a week. Can you see that is addictive, or what we call in AA 'diseased' thinking? You'll almost certainly fail if you try and get that week on your own - this disease of addiction sets us up for failure at every turn.
Go to an AA meeting as soon as you can. Don't listen to what your head tells you. The best course of action for you right now is to see a medical expert for advice about how to detox, and to go to an AA meeting. Don't try and figure things out for yourself, because look how well that's turned out so far, right?
Try doing a google searchin your area for free or low cost drug and alcohol rehabs etc. Your doctor might be able to refer you to a free or low cost service as well. There are not-for-profit rehabs around. They aren't all prohibitively expensive.
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In my sanctuary, my home
Posts: 39,853
Money should not be a hindrance to getting help. The suggestion to find a drug/alcohol clinic is a good idea. Also, the Salvation Army has free rehab. Yes, you will be expected to pitch in and help out in some ways, but there is nothing wrong with that. The thing is, there is help out there, even if you have little to no money.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 581
Welcome.
Think about how many times you've been able to successfully detox yourself in the past. Why will this time be different?
Withdrawal is the glue that keeps us coming back. At a certain point, the despair, physical agony, and craving overtake us. It's why so few of us are able to get through.
Which is why we need to be taken out of circulation-- removed from the problem-- until the physical craving is brought under control.
Then, the real work begins-- on the mental obsession that can stick with you for your entire life unless you find a solution. AA prescribes a spiritual remedy for this problem-- the 12 steps. And it works.
I encourage you to try and consider why your way is going to work this time. If you fell down on the street in withdrawal, they'd take you to a hospital and treat you. You need detox, supervised by medical professionals. The bills can be dealt with later.
Think about how many times you've been able to successfully detox yourself in the past. Why will this time be different?
Withdrawal is the glue that keeps us coming back. At a certain point, the despair, physical agony, and craving overtake us. It's why so few of us are able to get through.
Which is why we need to be taken out of circulation-- removed from the problem-- until the physical craving is brought under control.
Then, the real work begins-- on the mental obsession that can stick with you for your entire life unless you find a solution. AA prescribes a spiritual remedy for this problem-- the 12 steps. And it works.
I encourage you to try and consider why your way is going to work this time. If you fell down on the street in withdrawal, they'd take you to a hospital and treat you. You need detox, supervised by medical professionals. The bills can be dealt with later.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
I went to a Dr. last month and was honest to her about my drinking and pill addiction. She gave me a list of detox and rehab centers and I called all of them. They all were $3500 for 5 day detox. There was one that could help but they couldnt get any grant money until July and I can't wait that long I need some help ASAP. I've been through this before. Doctor said she doesn't prescribe xanax or anything for new patients so I guess it wouldn't hurt to go back and try again. I don't know. What do you think
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
I believe if you go to an ER they will have to see you (?)...... If you have even a small amount of money, you could talk to them and offer a small downpayment and get on a payment plan for a little each month....... I'm sure they've dealt with this situation many times.
You could try to taper off, but that doesn't usually work for most of us. Would your family be willing to make a loan to you? Just brainstorming here..........I hope you can find some help to get through this....... sending prayers and hugs.....:ghug3
You could try to taper off, but that doesn't usually work for most of us. Would your family be willing to make a loan to you? Just brainstorming here..........I hope you can find some help to get through this....... sending prayers and hugs.....:ghug3
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,597
A few options:
See if you can find a drug and alcohol clinic or counselling service. Google for your area and see what comes up. Go and see a counsellor or doctor there.
Tell you doctor you need free or low cost treatment options or to find out if it's safe for you to detox at home and how to do that.
Google to find a doctor who specialises in drug/alcohol problems. Your average GP probably won't be across all the services available because free/low cost services don't have the money to market and promote themselves to GPs.
Call the Salvation Army and enquire about their drug/alcohol services.
If nothing else, go to an AA, or NA, meeting ASAP. Someone there might have some knowledge of free/low cost services in your city.
See if you can find a drug and alcohol clinic or counselling service. Google for your area and see what comes up. Go and see a counsellor or doctor there.
Tell you doctor you need free or low cost treatment options or to find out if it's safe for you to detox at home and how to do that.
Google to find a doctor who specialises in drug/alcohol problems. Your average GP probably won't be across all the services available because free/low cost services don't have the money to market and promote themselves to GPs.
Call the Salvation Army and enquire about their drug/alcohol services.
If nothing else, go to an AA, or NA, meeting ASAP. Someone there might have some knowledge of free/low cost services in your city.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 1,737
Originally Posted by TH82 
am thinking about going to a clinic to see if they will prescribe a benzo for a week or so for withdrawal. If I can get past the first week perhaps I will feel better and will start going to AA meetings. I know that benzodiazepines are addictive but if I only take them for a week and they can help me sleep and lessen my anxiety then I think that would be a good choice for me.
Self-medicating may sound like a good idea, but that's putting the cart before the horse and if it were me on my day two it would not have worked. If you want to get and stay sober, get to an AA meeting today and explain your situation to the chairperson leading the meeting.
Keep posting, SR has hundreds of people daily who have been in your shoes and are willing to help. Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 1,737
Originally Posted by TH82
Hey SR
I feel pretty bad today. Can't focus on anything and my heart is racing. I'm worried that it might get worse because it's only been 2-3 days
I feel pretty bad today. Can't focus on anything and my heart is racing. I'm worried that it might get worse because it's only been 2-3 days
Life is Grand
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,039
TH82, in most states, you can not be denied health care based on ability to pay. The ER might be the best place at this time, possibly they can get you signed up for emergency medicade(in Michigan, that is what state funded medical insurance is called), they do it at the hospital, they have social workers there for just that reason. There is also treatment facilities that take indigents (no insurance, state paid also, that is how I went) the health department can help you with that...good luck, rememeber, take care of yourself...and you never have to go through this again!!!
Cathy
Cathy
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,867
Detoxing without medical supervision is dangerous. I hope you will be willing to seek medical help regardless of your ability to pay or not. After all this is your life. I sure you don't want to continue putting your life at risk with addiction or the detox. Please get help now.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
