new to all of this...
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
new to all of this...
Hi everyone! This is my first post on this website and the first time I am sharing a glimpse of my story.... I started drinking when I was about 16 and I am now 26. I have always been a heavy drinker but it never disturbed my life. I would be able to stop, skip days, and still function normally. This past year and a half my drinking has taken a turn for the worst. I have been hospitalized 3 times after I would binge on a disgusting amount of whiskey for days on end. I finally stopped drinking like that however alcohol still has a hold on me. I am still drinking but around 2-7 drinks of whiskey a day. I am trying to cut down to the point where I can stop which I want to be in the next 2 days. Even though I am not getting myself hospitalized I am still feeling like crap day in and day out. My sleep is all messed up and I need alcohol to 'pass out' for a little bit. I feel like a zombie at work every day which is not fun. I want freedom from this! This past year and a half I damaged a lot of my relationships (family, friends) and I want to work on fixing my life and enjoying life again. Any advice or motivation would be much appreciated! I know a lot of you have been where I am before. Also, any tips on 'cutting down', how long my withdrawl is going to last, getting to sleep at night without alcohol? Thank you! This seems like a great community of people!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,378
Hi ZeppelinFan 
My advice, as a first step, is to see a Dr - preferably one who knows a little about alcoholism and addiction - if you've been drinking hard for a while, cutting down by yourself is likely be ineffectual and may even be dangerous.
Getting an expert opinion is just the most responsible and safest move I think
You'll find a lot of support and ideas here about how to stay sober too - welcome aboard
D
My advice, as a first step, is to see a Dr - preferably one who knows a little about alcoholism and addiction - if you've been drinking hard for a while, cutting down by yourself is likely be ineffectual and may even be dangerous.
Getting an expert opinion is just the most responsible and safest move I think
You'll find a lot of support and ideas here about how to stay sober too - welcome aboard
D
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
I tried to stop a many a times to only
fail a many a times. I eventually learned
that I was powerless over alcohol and
people, places and things having anything
to do with alcohol.
I drank from 18 to 30 when family intervention
took place. It came down to the point where
I needed help and they were there to get me
that help I so desperately needed at that time
in my life.
That was 21 yrs ago when i spent 28 days
in rehab with a 6 week outpatiant aftercare
program tact on once I was released.
Rehab for me gave me a good start in a
recovery program that i would learn to
incorperate in my everyday life for a lifetime.
A journey of a lifetime filled with promises
that have come true and materialized for me.
Not all at one time of course but given and
recieved as gifts upon passing on my own
experiences, strengths and hopes of what it
was like before, during and after my drinking
career.
My journey is by far not over as I continue to
incoperate the steps and principles in my everyday
affairs. The reward of living a happy joyous free
life without alcohol one day at a time.
So can you.
fail a many a times. I eventually learned
that I was powerless over alcohol and
people, places and things having anything
to do with alcohol.
I drank from 18 to 30 when family intervention
took place. It came down to the point where
I needed help and they were there to get me
that help I so desperately needed at that time
in my life.
That was 21 yrs ago when i spent 28 days
in rehab with a 6 week outpatiant aftercare
program tact on once I was released.
Rehab for me gave me a good start in a
recovery program that i would learn to
incorperate in my everyday life for a lifetime.
A journey of a lifetime filled with promises
that have come true and materialized for me.
Not all at one time of course but given and
recieved as gifts upon passing on my own
experiences, strengths and hopes of what it
was like before, during and after my drinking
career.
My journey is by far not over as I continue to
incoperate the steps and principles in my everyday
affairs. The reward of living a happy joyous free
life without alcohol one day at a time.
So can you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
Hi everyone, thank you for your responses. I currently not only have an addiction problem but also have been suffering from anxiety and depression for years. I see a doctor every Thursday for support on all my issues. I believe I can detox on my own. I have been in much much worst alcohol situations then I am in now and have derided at home successfully. I don't want to go to detox/rehab because I want to keep my excellent job. If I loose my job I loose my apartment, my health insurance, my everything. My fiance has been through a pain killer addiction & recovered at home by cutting down slowly and stopping. He is coaching me on quitting my addiction. I know he is not a doctor but it helps! My doctor thinks I am already in a slow detox even though I am still drinking I am not near what I used to be like. Any advice on detox at home while maintaining my job? I have seen many posts of people suffering through the first few days at home but still making it. I have also been to a few AA meetings & met people who did this on there own one step at a time.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Manchester
Posts: 179
Hey hey,
I am not 'long timer' in sobreity, but I know I tried lots of things and got nowhere, but for me, AA is helping, as is working with my doctor. I think the amalgamation of medical professionals and recovering alcoholics, who have been through it, is a strong place to start. I am sort of newish to this website too, but it seems like a pretty great place to get support!
I am not 'long timer' in sobreity, but I know I tried lots of things and got nowhere, but for me, AA is helping, as is working with my doctor. I think the amalgamation of medical professionals and recovering alcoholics, who have been through it, is a strong place to start. I am sort of newish to this website too, but it seems like a pretty great place to get support!
I'm here to learn!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: I'm on it!
Posts: 2,038
Hey Zep --
Welcome to SR! Your story shares a lot of similarities with mine. I am also 26, I started around the same time age you did and was always a heavy drinker. From when I turned 21 till I quit drinking for good last year I drank every day, with the exception of a week here and there when I was trying to quit and failed.
I'm going to be 1 year sober later this month. The best advice I can give you is to get serious about your sobriety and make it a big priority in your life. Moderation, or cutting back didn't really work for me, and I'm guessing it may not work for you either if you have a problem controlling how much you drink once you start like I did. I have seen a lot of people try to get sober and fail, and often times the recurring reason was just because they didn't take sobriety seriously enough and weren't willing to commit to the changes it takes to stay clean.
If that sounds like a daunting task you can rest assured that we all did it the same way: one step at a time (or one day at a time). Take each thing as it comes and deal with it but focus on your sobriety in the way you structure your daily affairs and priorities.
Practically speaking, I think it helps to get involved in some sort of recovery program -- of which there are many. I chose to go the 12 step route, and often recommend others to check out AA or other 12 step groups. That's what worked for me, but there are a lot of other options as well. I think it's a great idea to try different things and see what works for you. Usually people seem to be most successful when they are able to work a program that they more or less agree with ideologically and can find a solution that relates to them on a personal level.
Bets wishes in your recovery. I know it may seem a little scary right now, but I'm living proof that if you take one thing at a time and try to handle life on its own terms that you can be successful at maintaining long term sobriety.
Welcome to SR! Your story shares a lot of similarities with mine. I am also 26, I started around the same time age you did and was always a heavy drinker. From when I turned 21 till I quit drinking for good last year I drank every day, with the exception of a week here and there when I was trying to quit and failed.
I'm going to be 1 year sober later this month. The best advice I can give you is to get serious about your sobriety and make it a big priority in your life. Moderation, or cutting back didn't really work for me, and I'm guessing it may not work for you either if you have a problem controlling how much you drink once you start like I did. I have seen a lot of people try to get sober and fail, and often times the recurring reason was just because they didn't take sobriety seriously enough and weren't willing to commit to the changes it takes to stay clean.
If that sounds like a daunting task you can rest assured that we all did it the same way: one step at a time (or one day at a time). Take each thing as it comes and deal with it but focus on your sobriety in the way you structure your daily affairs and priorities.
Practically speaking, I think it helps to get involved in some sort of recovery program -- of which there are many. I chose to go the 12 step route, and often recommend others to check out AA or other 12 step groups. That's what worked for me, but there are a lot of other options as well. I think it's a great idea to try different things and see what works for you. Usually people seem to be most successful when they are able to work a program that they more or less agree with ideologically and can find a solution that relates to them on a personal level.
Bets wishes in your recovery. I know it may seem a little scary right now, but I'm living proof that if you take one thing at a time and try to handle life on its own terms that you can be successful at maintaining long term sobriety.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Manchester
Posts: 179
I live in England so I am not sure what provisions are available to the US, but my doctor referred me to the Community Alcohol Team, who have signposted me to some psychotherapy, which I am on the list for. They also gave me information on NLP and some literature on how to access that if I need to.
I also had an assessment done by a psychiatrist with a specialism in addiction, and they offered me a detox (in the end I didn't take it as I had foolishly gone through detox alone). I meet weekly with the CAT nurse, who offers me a medical perspective on my illness. I have also seen a nutritionist (that was private) on trying to get my diet in order.
I have been incredibly lucky as my local GP is also a specialist provision for alcohol and drug abuse. But all doctors have some training on alcohol abuse, and will surely refer you on if they feel you need more help!
Good luck
I also had an assessment done by a psychiatrist with a specialism in addiction, and they offered me a detox (in the end I didn't take it as I had foolishly gone through detox alone). I meet weekly with the CAT nurse, who offers me a medical perspective on my illness. I have also seen a nutritionist (that was private) on trying to get my diet in order.
I have been incredibly lucky as my local GP is also a specialist provision for alcohol and drug abuse. But all doctors have some training on alcohol abuse, and will surely refer you on if they feel you need more help!
Good luck
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,378
I believe I can detox on my own. I have been in much much worst alcohol situations then I am in now and have derided at home successfully.
I'm not just saying see a Dr because it's the 'right thing' to say - it really is the right thing to do, IMO.
Nothing's more important than your life.
D
I'm here to learn!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: I'm on it!
Posts: 2,038
I detoxed at home and did not seek medical attention. I did meet with a doctor prior to detox and mentioned I would be detoxing and they didn't seem concerned. In retrospect, I wish I would have seen a doctor beforehand, but other than a bunch of bad side effects nothing bad really happened with me. I threw up blood one day, but that was probably the worst thing that happened.
Went to rehab after that for 30 days and got checked out my a doc afterwards who checked my liver function and BP and stuff. I agree with Dee here though, talk to a doctor beforehand.
I also had a good job -- and still do -- even after going through treatment. I work for a large corporation so I just called the HR department and explained what I wanted to do, talked to my boss a bit and then got qualified for short term disability leave. Might be worth checking out, even if you just do it for a week to detox at home.
Best wishes,
Went to rehab after that for 30 days and got checked out my a doc afterwards who checked my liver function and BP and stuff. I agree with Dee here though, talk to a doctor beforehand.
I also had a good job -- and still do -- even after going through treatment. I work for a large corporation so I just called the HR department and explained what I wanted to do, talked to my boss a bit and then got qualified for short term disability leave. Might be worth checking out, even if you just do it for a week to detox at home.
Best wishes,
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NJ
Posts: 23
Thanks everyone! I am on my way to my therapy right now & I am going to talk to my doctor about what she thinks. She helps me with the mental struggles she's not a medical doctor though. So I'll see what she thinks (she has known me a while). I was thinking about seeing a medical doctor this Saturday however my regular doctor doesn't work weekends of course. I was thinking about going to a walk in clinic near my house. Do you think a doctor there will be able to advise me in the right direction to detox? I just want blood work, blood pressure checked, & maybe meds to help me detox safely at home. Opinions?
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
Welcome ZeppelinFan. I told myself for years that I needed alcohol to sleep. It was evidently a load of rubbish because I've never slept so well in my life. And if you don't find it easy (actually I think my sleep was a bit disturbed in the first week) then there's loads of other stuff you can do instead of drink, Valerian tea, a hot bath, yoga, acupunture, ANYTHING else but alcohol. Glad you're here. I think this place may have saved my life
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