Help me to stop drinking
 

Please help me.
I am falling apart.
Panic and anxiety.
I want to stop.
I did it in the past and it felt great.
I need to stop today and I don't have the strength.
I am panicking.
Please help me.

Patricia, we're here for you and we understand how hard this is.

You can stop, now, today. Yes, there will be anxiety for sure, but you can get through it. Can you get rid of the alcohol you have?

But you DO have the strength to stop drinking. Just don't drink today. And if you've been drinking, stop and pour out what's left.

It's up to you, how you live your life. You hold the power. :hug: Believe in yourself. :)

least I don't believe in myself, that's the problem. I think I can't do this. I am scared. I want to be sober so bad but the panic is killing me.

Anna how do I stop drinking? How do I stop the terrifying thoughts?

Did you try any of those negative self talk exercises Patricia?

D

Patricia, have you considered a medical detox; your withdrawal and anxiety could both be monitored.

OCD, superstition, fear, are stronger than those exercises right now Dee. Fear is controlling me right now and I don't know how to stop it. I am thinking that everything will work out in the end. but on the other hand I think that this panic is too much to handle. Annd if I don't drink I won't be able to handle it. I look pale and drunk. And In 3 hours my husband is going to be home. He will find out that I've been drinking. I am scared. I have 1/4 of a bottle left and I am scared that I won't be able to handle it. I am scared Dee.

I can't afford it. And I'm scared I'm going to lose custody of my child. I am a permanent resident. Not a citizen. What if my husband uses that against me to get full custody?

Yeah, I think any exercises are going to take time to work Patricia.

Right now your panic is being amplified by the alcohol.

Dump what's left right now, drink some water and try and have a lie down.

D

Am I going to be ok if I don't drink Dee?

Can you drink plenty of water and get to bed? Can you make tomorrow Day 1? When you wake up, drink more water; eat small, light meals; try to get some fresh air even if its only for a few minutes; take naps; try listening to the tapes that Dee suggested; check-in with SR and talk with us as often as you need.

Be sure to pour out the rest of the alcohol.

I am so sorry that you are struggling, Patricia.

Patricia have you ever tried a grounding exercise? Here's one that helps me:

Blog :: :: 5-4-3-2-1 COPING TECHNIQUE :: therapistsb

P68, I somewhat understand what you are experiencing. I can only offer my experience. Alcohol will create extreme FEAR in all of us. More often than not, once the alcohol is cut off, over a period of time the fear will subside. Take the first step, stop drinking alcohol, you'll get better quickly.

Patricia, I felt the same way at the end of my drinking career. I was living to drink - never drew a sober breath. I stayed close to SR for the first week - it really helped with the anxiety. Once it gets out of your system you will begin to heal.

holistically speaking - more than OK Patricia :)

But, if you're asking me medically - I don't know Patricia - but I certainly think you need to stop.

Do you feel as if you need a Dr? are you still taking benzoes as well?

D

Hey you're going to be ok. This will pass. Alcohol warps the mind. I can't tell you how anxious I was all the time when I was drinking. Put down the bottle. It's not helping you any. Take a deep breath. You can do this. Big hugs to you 💗

Yes Dee. I don't know how to handle anxiety without alcohol and benzos. I think the reason for this relapse is because I am scared that my Dr won't prescribe me any more. Same reason I've been relapsing for the past 3 years.

I like your holistic approach better than the medical approach Dee. My Drs don't seem to understand my problem.

Antidepressants or supplements, and the only help is in my mind. I need to trust, I need to have faith. But right now I am scared. And I hate myself for that. I am 47 years old! I should know how to handle this!

Dee please tell me how to deal with the next 24 hours with my over critical husband and huge amounts of stress.

I want to do this...

I wish I had the answer for instant anxiety relief , but all I can suggest is what I've already suggested Patricia.

Dump the rest of the booze. It's not helping. Maybe try some of soberwolf's breathing exercises too?

In the longer term, booze and benzoes are a really bad mix. I knwo you realise that.

Does your Dr know that you drink? I really think speaking with your Dr is a good idea. If you have spoken to them already and they seem unworried, I'd speak to another Dr.

this is a bad cycle to be in - but you can get out... but I think you'll need some help?

Is your son with your husband today?

D

My doctors dismiss the problem. They show me a chart and they tell me that if I moderate I will be fine. I am about to give up on them. They don't understand. I have a bottle right now that I only bought because it makes me feel safe to have in case the panic gets out of control. I don't want to open it.

Dee I know you had stressful life problems. Can we deal with them without alcohol? Without medication? Can I deal with life huge problems being clean and sober? I am about to lose my house. One stupid little mistake and i am going to lose my house. Where do I get the faith that things are going to get better? How do I trust myself again?

You can learn to deal with the anxiety Patricia. It can be very frightening and uncomfortable, but you can get through it. It takes time though. :hug:

Can you make some warm hot tea and make a warm bath for yourself? Take yourself out to the movies? Go for a walk? Anything that distracts you?

You absolutely can deal with anything clean and sober. I really believe that. :)

You have to accept it's going to take a little time and effort tho.

I drank and drugged for decades. I was not going to fix myself in a day or a week.

Some days were very hard. All I wanted to do was drink to get away from the anxiety, the fear and the feeling of doom.

But I didn't.
I posted here.

I tried to do other things. I kicked the walls a little (not recommended), I screamed into my pillow...I started seeing an understanding Dr and counsellor.

and slowly, but surely, things got better :)

It;s something you have to work on every day - and most important part is not drinking, ever...& finding other positive ways to deal with anxiety.

If you've been on benzoes for a long time coming off those is going to cause anxiety too.

I think you need to find a doctor, one who understands, and be totally honest with them about your drinking, benzo use and anxiety problems.

I don't actually think detox would be the worst thing in the world for you.

I understand your fears, but honestly if your husband wanted to leave he could claim all kinds of things right now, true or not.

You going to detox could be a step back to you being who you want to be? :)

D

You're going to have to take a leap of faith and put down the bottle. We can encourage you, but only you can put the bottle down for good. I know it's scary, but once you're sober for a few days, the anxiety gets better. :hug:

I am on day 5 and almost slipped this afternoon. Please stop today. You are loved!

It's 6 o'clock. I am going to try Dee. I trust you, You have been my inspiration since I joined SR. I am going to try because I trust you. You have been more understanding and helpful than any of my doctors. I remember the sober days. 60,days. I trust you Dee. Please if you have any more advice post it here. I need to safe my life. Anxiety is killing me.

Least is life better for you now? Is anxiety better?

patricia - :hug:

I honoured you trust me Patrica :)

Today not a great day for further advice for me tho as I played music last night and I've had 4-5 hours sleep...:react

rest assured that I'll think it over and if I have any advice today or in the future I'll post it to you :)

Patricia, I know your anxiety will ease up considerably when you stop drinking. It may not go away, but it will be manageable. I know how horrible it feels to have waves of anxiety washing over you.

Patricia, can you make yourself a cup of tea and try to relax? Have a relaxing bath if you can do that. I found that to be really restorative in the early days. Above all, have faith!

Oh, yes, my life is so much better and the anxiety is all but gone.:) I am on antidepressants and now that I'm sober, they work as they should. :)

Stop now and you will start feeling better in a week or so. But you've got to take that leap of faith and put the bottle down. :hug: