How to help DH get sober

[sunstrokecity]

DH has admitted this morning he has an issue with alcohol and can't stop himself. He's been drinking a bottle of strong alcohol a night (unbeknownst to me)

He's said he wants to stop but doesn't know how.

He's sat on the sofa watching the football and I can see in his face he is really struggling not to go in to the kitchen and pour a drink. His hands feel clammy to touch.

Doctors aren't open until Monday and I don't hold out much hope they will do anything I help him quickly.

Is there anything we can do in the mean time to try and help him.

Any help advice anything would be hugely appreciated.

Get rid of all the alcohol.

It's great that he wants to stop

Google local AA meetings. There is likely to be one on a Sunday. Likely to help more than the GP (I'm married to a 12 stepper).

All alcohol has been removed from the house. From what he's saying it started out as being habitual, get home from work, eat dinner, bath DC, put them to bed pour a drink.

Think it's hit him today just how much he is going through a week.

Slightly concerned just stopping is going to do him more harm than good though....

Gosh no - depending on his alcohol intake it could be dangerous to cut it out completely! If your Dh could start lowering his intake( so hard) until Monday that would be a start...

It's been a bottle of 12% alcohol with a mixer per night.

DH is worries if he has one drink it will lead to finishing the bottle

There will be an AA meeting near you this evening.

I'd advise him to go there.

www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/how-to-reduce-your-drinking/how-to-cut-down/how-to-stop-drinking-alcohol-completely/

There’s some good advice here.

Just be aware that stopping alcohol suddenly can lead to problems so watch him carefully. More information here...

www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/

It's great he wants to stop, he needs to want to help himself though, this is his journey to make, you hold his hand along the way, but he needs to be ready to make the steps himself. I know that sounds cheesy but something like AA will only work if he's ready for it. I would offer to go with him and offer to wait outside just try and get him there and see how it goes. Very best wishes to you, I do hope it works out.

He seems to be 100% invested. I'm just trying to find ways to make it easier for him

Tell him to get to AA ASAP!
Apart from that, you need to realise there’s nothing YOU can do. His body, his life, his addiction.

AA have a helpline so he can talk to someone tonight if he needs to before he can get to a meeting.

08009177 650

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It can actually be more dangerous to stop completely, I've went through this with my dad recently. The doctor advised him to cut down gradually, and prescribed diazepam for the shakes. He now attends AA 3/4 times a week. It's good he has admitted he has a problem, the help out there is brilliant and AA is the best support he can get, there's no judgement at all. Check the classes out online. Some are closed which mean only the person with the issue can go, others are open where family/friends can go with the person as well for support. Hope you both get through alright

One bottle of 12 per cent alcohol. How big is the bottle?

I'd recommend that he read Allen Carr's book 'the easy way to control alcohol'

Not sure where 12% came from it's 35% and sometimes a 70cl bottle some times a 1 litre bottle

Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures if not done carefully, and a full 70cl bottle of spirits is a lot of alcohol for one night. Can you provide him with a rationed amount for tonight and tomorrow until he can get to the doctor for proper support OP? Otherwise he could be in serious danger of withdrawal becoming dangerous.

Is he on Facebook? Tell him to look up Dry January and Beyond group. This is administered by Alcohol Concern and it's a fantastic group to get support from others that what to cut down or stop completely.

AA will have meetings every night but understand going face to face isn't for everyone.

Get him reading some Alcohol Free literature - This Naked Mind by Annie Grace is fantastic. I listened to the Audible audio book or you could look up the Kindle edition. You could start either of these formats tonight.

Good luck x

How are you both today OP?

He seems to be doing ok. Still has sweaty hands and is getting a bit tetchy but other than that coping.

He's not keen on AA due to the religious side but is looking into other support groups in the area.

PM sent.

Also try a teaspoon of L Glutamine with breakfast and mid afternoon - really helps with cravings, I take mine with a glass of milk which also reduces hunger pangs and sugar cravings (the body turns alcohol to super). Try myprotein online.

Mywayout is another good resource.