Alcohol Detox

[Bumblelion]

Hi

Has anyone on here been detoxed for alcohol - I am starting tomorrow. Long story - joined in 1991 while expecting my youngest (was Jacquikd then). Lot of what I went through can be found on historic posts.

10 years on - children now 18, 14 and 10, still living in family home (just about managing) but alcohol has paid a big part in my life for the last 7 years or so.

It has now come to crunch time - asked for help from my GP. Last time I asked for help, I was referred to counselling but it did not reflect on my alcohol problem, just other issues that were going in on my life which were caused by alcohol.

Unfortunately ouir community alcohol team is being disbanded in about 1 month's time. I went for an assessement and was accepted onto the programme - went for a pre-detox assessment on Thursday and start the proramme on Monday.

Will be administered librium - it has now got to the stage that I don't want to drink but I need to.

Luckily I have very supportive children, ex-husband (although still legally married), mum, friends and work. I have had to take next week off work (luckily my boss understands and I do not have to take it as holiday/unpaid leave) as I will probably feel a 'bit out of it'.

Has anyone else been detoxed for alcohol?

The doctor I saw initially asked if I do any other drugs. I said that I think I have an additive personality - whatever I do, I do to extreme (whether good or bad) - and although I smoke cigarettes I have not touched other drugs - ecstasy, cocaine, etc. If I am good and looking after myself, I will swim 4 times a week, about 40 lengths each time - so when i say additive I mean in all parts of my life.

I feel I have had enough of drinking (and so have my family and children) and this is now crunch time - I have to do this or I could risk losing everything.

[inhibernation]

Not personally but have worked with many who have. The detox itself is usually straight forward but the psychological craving is the biggest challenge. I think it's crucial that you have some planned activities lined up to distract yourself.

[didsnbump]

I dont have any experience of this but im worried about my own want for alcohol, so would appreciate understanding your story a little more?
Ive got 2 young children nearly 2 and 4 and although life is good coming out the other side of postnatal depression, i find my self wanting a drink more and more every night to relax from the stress of being a fulltime mum.
I dont want it to get out of hand, but being unable to go back to work full time due to my DH's job and the cost of childcare i feel im stuck in a trap :(

[jomal]

try reading JAson VAle's book kick drink easily , it takes the whole wanting a drink part away - well it did for me , I found it a breeze and haven't had a drink for 9 months

[SnowieBear]

Bumblelion, thinking of you whilst you undergo your detox and wishing you strength and good fortune.

You'll see that getting your body right is the easiest bit, remember alcoholism is a disease that will actively lie to you. You'll feel strong and in control - you are not. Please see if there's an AA meeting next to you, they'll welcome you and you'll be able to speak to people that have come through the other side.

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

My mum has done this particular detox twice. Needless to say it didn't do anything for her. But she is in a different situation to yourself.

I am close to my mum and she talks to me about it and I think I understand alcoholism.

My advice would be - when you have finished the detox you should go to regular AA meetings. You will need that support of like minded addictees and you can support and understand each other.

Whatever time of day it is you drink - you need to change that routine. For example, my mum just drinks in the evenings and night. But she's a single parent at home on her own every night so slips back into the same routine and starts drinking again.

Take each day as it comes, one day at a time. If you're feeling weak, speak to someone close and get out somewhere for a long walk or something, just so you can't nip to the local off licence.

IMO, if you are an alcoholic, then alcohol is not something you will ever be able to control. You mustn't ever drink it again.

After her detox my mum said she'd just have one or two at xmas, birthdays etc. Then it was just on a Saturday. Then a Fri and Sat and eventually it was every night again. She has also been in rehab.

Will you have someone at home with you for the first and second day of taking Librium? I was with my mum as she was a bit out of it. For safety really.

All a bit grim, but people are successful and people do give it up, and I wish you the very best of luck.

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

Bloody hell - just noticed you posted this 2 weeks ago!

How are you getting on? Hope you are well.