Giving up in 2 days - scared!!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Giving up in 2 days - scared!!
Hi
I'm brand new to the site. I drink about 100-120 UK units per week - equivalent to roughly half a bottle of whiskey each day. This isn't to get drunk, it's just what I need not to suffer. I almost always drink alone and in secret.
If I drink any less than 10 to 12 units each evening I don't feel normal. I haven't had a day without alcohol in the last 5 years. Every day at about mid-day I start to get anxious, panicky, sweaty, nauseous, fatigued and unhappy. This feeling is only relieved by alcohol. I have been drinking heavily for about 10 years and I'm in my mid thirties now. I have had pain in my liver area for a few years on and off. My blood tests say I have high cholesterol and badly deranged liver function. No surprise there.
I've tried a million different ways to reduce my intake, taper down etc. and failed over and over again, so I've decided I need to just stop, otherwise I'll end up dead.
Accompanied by Lorazepam I plan to stop drinking completely from the morning of 5th September.
Any tips or advice? I'm very scared, although a little bit excited as well. I don't want to get this wrong like I have done so many times before. I think this might be my last chance before I end up getting seriously ill. I'm not the kind of person who would be able to go to AA meetings, but I would really appreciate anyone online who could help me.
I'm brand new to the site. I drink about 100-120 UK units per week - equivalent to roughly half a bottle of whiskey each day. This isn't to get drunk, it's just what I need not to suffer. I almost always drink alone and in secret.
If I drink any less than 10 to 12 units each evening I don't feel normal. I haven't had a day without alcohol in the last 5 years. Every day at about mid-day I start to get anxious, panicky, sweaty, nauseous, fatigued and unhappy. This feeling is only relieved by alcohol. I have been drinking heavily for about 10 years and I'm in my mid thirties now. I have had pain in my liver area for a few years on and off. My blood tests say I have high cholesterol and badly deranged liver function. No surprise there.
I've tried a million different ways to reduce my intake, taper down etc. and failed over and over again, so I've decided I need to just stop, otherwise I'll end up dead.
Accompanied by Lorazepam I plan to stop drinking completely from the morning of 5th September.
Any tips or advice? I'm very scared, although a little bit excited as well. I don't want to get this wrong like I have done so many times before. I think this might be my last chance before I end up getting seriously ill. I'm not the kind of person who would be able to go to AA meetings, but I would really appreciate anyone online who could help me.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Welcome, weeble! 
If you already have the pills, why not stop right now? There is danger in continuing - you don't know what could happen.
You will be a bit uncomfortable, but it is the best thing to do. No reason to put it off.
If you already have the pills, why not stop right now? There is danger in continuing - you don't know what could happen.
You will be a bit uncomfortable, but it is the best thing to do. No reason to put it off.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,067
Many of the people who go to AA meetings do not consider themselves the type of person who goes to AA meetings. But we go anyway, because we want to stay sober.
Online help is available here 24/7, but you have to work at it. Read around and post often!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 194
I was drinking as much as you and worse. We are a similar age. Just accept the first few days are going to be reasonably tough. I have read horror stories about stopping cold Turkey, but I'm not a doctor so I'd advise you to look into that first and approach your detox with all the tools available.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: baltimore, maryland
Posts: 463
So you already have anti-anxiety meds.....just remember to taper off of those meds and don't drink on them. You should be READY to stop drinking once you start with the pills....otherwise your attempt to get sober will be worthless. Best Wishes!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Margate, UK
Posts: 549
I'm not the kind of person who can go to AA either, but I did anyway because every little helps. I discovered that it's awesome!
Good luck to you, and please seek medical advice if you haven't already. Cold turkey can be dangerous.
Post often, support is always here
Good luck to you, and please seek medical advice if you haven't already. Cold turkey can be dangerous.
Post often, support is always here
p***enger
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 19,044
Wonderful decision, Weeble. That's about how much I was drinking, except I was on straight gin.
Expect shakes, sweats, restlessness, possibly itching (I had it), possibly unprovoked tears (I had that), etc etc. For about a week, maybe 10 days? Drink lots (of water) & you clean out toxins faster. If there's anyone you can trust, have their phone number handy or ask them to stay with you.
The thing about AA in early early recovery is, it's a place you can go almost any time of day (or even just call their number & someone will talk to you), and you can say out loud, "jeez, I haven't had a drink in 3 days & I'm jumping out of my skin! I'm afraid to walk across the street because I'll make a run for the bar!" -- and no one will bat an eyelash. They'll all say, yeah, we hear you, have a cookie.
Don't try to recover from alcoholism alone. That's torture, not recovery.
& Ice cream helps. Stock up on ice cream!
Expect shakes, sweats, restlessness, possibly itching (I had it), possibly unprovoked tears (I had that), etc etc. For about a week, maybe 10 days? Drink lots (of water) & you clean out toxins faster. If there's anyone you can trust, have their phone number handy or ask them to stay with you.
The thing about AA in early early recovery is, it's a place you can go almost any time of day (or even just call their number & someone will talk to you), and you can say out loud, "jeez, I haven't had a drink in 3 days & I'm jumping out of my skin! I'm afraid to walk across the street because I'll make a run for the bar!" -- and no one will bat an eyelash. They'll all say, yeah, we hear you, have a cookie.
Don't try to recover from alcoholism alone. That's torture, not recovery.
& Ice cream helps. Stock up on ice cream!
Guest
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,097
Welcome to SR weeble. Is there a reason you're stopping on the 5th and not today? If it is because it is a weekend I found that day 3 was the worst so likely to be worse on Monday than Saturday if that makes sense.
Tomorrow never does come
Today is the best day to stop. It's the best thing I ever did. As others have said prepare to feel ill, keep well hydrated and eat whatever you need to eat. Listen to your body. Ice cream worked for me
Tomorrow never does come
Today is the best day to stop. It's the best thing I ever did. As others have said prepare to feel ill, keep well hydrated and eat whatever you need to eat. Listen to your body. Ice cream worked for me Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 927
Hello! Great site this isn't it? I've been reading about recovery for at least a year now, knowing I was going to have to make a complete break from alcohol.
I'm doing 100-140 units a week too, but mine is wine.
I'm stopping on Monday 7th September after booking in with my doctor in the UK. He's prescribed me Librium for 7 days and I have to be driven to the surgery (can't drive or operate machinery on pills) for the first 5 days for him to check my blood pressure etc... Then after the 7 days of tapering off the Librium I will be given 6-12 months medication to help stop the cravings.
I am excited, scared, worried, apprehensive, grateful, lots of emotions....
I'm female, 39 and hope to have kicked this out of my life for good ready for my 40th...
I have never researched so thoroughly or reached out for professional help before.
I've always just tried to moderate or abstain on my own which was always doomed for failure.
Good luck, keep in touch, we'll be in the same boat next week!
I'm doing 100-140 units a week too, but mine is wine.
I'm stopping on Monday 7th September after booking in with my doctor in the UK. He's prescribed me Librium for 7 days and I have to be driven to the surgery (can't drive or operate machinery on pills) for the first 5 days for him to check my blood pressure etc... Then after the 7 days of tapering off the Librium I will be given 6-12 months medication to help stop the cravings.
I am excited, scared, worried, apprehensive, grateful, lots of emotions....
I'm female, 39 and hope to have kicked this out of my life for good ready for my 40th...
I have never researched so thoroughly or reached out for professional help before.
I've always just tried to moderate or abstain on my own which was always doomed for failure.
Good luck, keep in touch, we'll be in the same boat next week!
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