AHM

I got a prescription for antabuse today. I went ahead and got the prescription because my dad would have freaked out if I hadn't but I didn't take it. I am really terrified because I know myself and I know that I will try drinking on it. I tried to talk to my psych and he was just practically interrupting me saying like, "well you can't drink on it, you will go into a seizure". Which, of course was reassuring :P

My dad tried to make me take it in the car but I didn't because I had drank a lot last night and was scared. I finally broke and admitted that but my dad tried to be like "oh it takes a while to build up in your system". He's a doctor but not a psych and he doesn't know about the drug. I know he just wants peace of mind but at the end of the day I feel like he would be sorry if I got sick but I would be the one to have to deal with it. Does anyone know if it can make people sick who have alcohol in their system but it is only their first dose? I've looked and looked but found no answer to this.

My dad said I would probably keep drinking every day just so that I couldn't take it. I don't think he realizes that its the opposite, I can't stop drinking everyday, at least a little and THAT's why I can't take it. I know that because I am the one with the problem my credibility is blown but is it really so strange to want a less severe drug? As I said, I know myself and I know I will try drinking on it. Besides that, I am having a hard time even getting the 24 hrs necessary to take it. I need to figure something out fast though because I am currently dependent on my family and I don't want to get kicked out because I am terrified.

AHM

Also, I wasn't sure if this went under "alcoholism" or "newcomer question" so please feel free to move the thread if this is the wrong forum for it!

doggonecarl

You mentioned something in another post about "treatment" What is your treatment? Just the antabuse?

Not sure that is treatment. It's an aid to prevent drinking, in some. But it's not a recovery program. Are you seeking any face to face support? Like AA or one of the other programs?

You can stop drinking. You have to want to. REALLY want to. And then it is still incredibly hard. If you are worried about withdrawals, you should detox with medical supervision.

Good luck.

AHM

Well I guess really its just that. I was supposed to be looking into a psychologist or AA classes but I didn't so my dad just sort of forced me to tell my psychiatrist. I thought at first it would be naltrexone because he had mentioned it to my father before but he seemed die hard that I take Antabuse when I spoke to him, nothing else was really mentioned. Just come back in 2 weeks. I don't know if I'd need medical care, I don't drink a BUNCH everyday but consistently.

I hope my question doesn't come off frantic even though I am very worried. I really have no one to turn to who seems to know a lot about this. However, in just my short time here I'm sort of starting to get the picture that neither of these people are specialized to deal with this and our whole idea of how problems like this are addressed is all wrong...

Mizzuno

Have you seen your doctor about detox off of alcohol? I mean, you went to the doctor just for antabuse? Does your doctor not know that you might need a supervised medical detox off of alcohol? I guess, i am confused. Does your doctor not think that your situation is serious enough? '


( you might want to go to your physician and talk of this matter)

AHM

I usually go to him for depression. I just told him I was having problems w alcohol on my last visit because my dad insisted and then he was like "ok take this" and every time I tried to explain that it was a bit more than just a young person who needed an excuse not to party and giving me something that would make me sick if I tried to drink was not in itself enough of a reason for me not to, he just kept saying "no, this has a very high success rate".

Mizzuno

Go to a different doctor. Tell this different doctor everything from the last doctor, the psychiatrist, your prescription and your intentions. Im not suggesting doctor shopping. I am suggesting getting proper care and not having a bunch of meds thrown at you thinking that it will solve the problem. Another step is: Your local AA is always available. Have you tried a meeting yet?

Dee74

I'm sure you'll hear from people who have experience with anatabuse. At best it's highly unpleasant to drink on it, at worst it can be extremely dangerous.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you seem a little ambivalent to me AHM.

You were meant to check out this and that and you didn't....and you went and saw this guy because your dad made you...

you say you can't stop drinking everyday...

why? are you scared of not drinking and the changes you'll need to make, or are you just resigned to doing it, or is there something else going on

Is rehab an option for you? or AA or some other recovery group?

D

silentrun

It sounds like you need more help than a prescription. Unless your dad is an alcoholic he doesn't understand what you are going through and maybe thinks the antibuse will force you to quit. You already know that's not enough. If you already haven't yet just level with him. Give him all the information he needs to get you help. When I was drinking I couldn't handle everyday problems let alone a situation like this. You can overcome this headspace you are in even if right now it seems impossible. hugs

AHM

I guess I am ambivalent. I'd rather not have to deal with the problems that go with it, I hate that part but I have really bad social anxiety. I feel like I can't go downstairs or stand being around anyone at all without something to calm me down. I'm not going to lie and say its super voluntary that I'm on the recovery road. But I'm getting set down on it anyway.

I'm going to try to find an AA meeting that meets in the next few days I guess. I am just really scared at the prospect of antabuse, and I would wayyy rather try to show I am trying that way than to take something when I'm not ready and could do harm to myself. I'm not there in my stage of recovery road yet and I am not so sure why my psych and doctor think it will work but I guess that's because they aren't specialists in it. I wish they didn't act like it was only because I was just trying to find ANY excuse to keep drinking. I would be willing to take something that would curb cravings, definitely.

AHM

Also, thank you silentrun. I've tried but one of the worst thing in my case about the stigma of alcoholism is that all of a sudden many people automatically treat me as though I have zero credibility...in ANYTHING. I'm hoping I can get in w somebody more trained in this quickly so he can see that it isn't just that a ploy. I'm pretty desperate now, this situation today where he was telling me to just take it anyway really scared me.

Dee74

I don;t think many of us started with a 100% cast iron commitment to recovery....but I just knew something had to change or I was doomed.

I would get a second opinion on the antabuse, and your entire medical situation, if I were you.

D

Mizzuno

I hope that you get a second opinion.

AHM

Well (and this is not to be a smart aleck comment) but if I knew for sure then I wouldn't be ambivalent.

Tamerua

I don't know about the meds but why not try to stop drinking just for today? Whether or not you take the meds, that is how not drinking will start.

Good luck!

1newcreation

Well put Dee!
My own opinion AHM is you want to quit but don't want to have to go thru withdralws of quitting. If you can't quit on you're own then do an in patient treatment. If not, then take the anta & be done w/ it. Either way, a sacrifice will HAVE to be made but its up to you to change it. Not u're dad, psch or anyone else
Btw, I'm fellow Georgian & lived in Kennesaw until grad from KSU in '02 so PLEASE make me proud

AHM

@1newcreation That's cool. Fellow Kennesaw!

Also, if anyone else has advice or whatever, I would be grateful for PMs on this subject too.

Mizzuno

I modified this. I am sorry that you received it. After reading all the other posts, i thought i had retracted it. I understand your ambivalence. I had it myself for a time. I hope that you get a second opinion.

fantail

AHM, it sounds like both you and your dad agree that you need some really strong intervention because you may not be fully committed to quitting yourself yet. The difference in opinion seems to be only in the method. I agree with the people here who recommended inpatient. If you can, that would be a good way to get physically stabilized and emotionally supported while you transition. I didn't go that route myself but if I'd had the opportunity I think I would have sobered up about a year before I did.

least

I too would recommend a second opinion from a doctor who specializes in addiction. Antabuse is not a cure all, it's just one tool that can be used to quit drinking. In order to quit, YOU have to want to quit for yourself. No one else can make you quit or make you want to quit. It's up to you.