Anyone drinking 2 bottles of wine a night?

[HildegardeCrowe]

Is there any way back? in my 60s FFS and just wonder if I can ever change. Want to so badly as have a daughter in her early 20s who adores me. Please tell me there’s hope.,

I was drinking this much every day and couldn’t go a day without. I needed AA to help. Personally when drinking I wasn’t sleeping, I would pass out for a hour or 2 and that would be it. I was anxious and full of shame all the time (Even if I hadn’t done anything wrong) which was Due to the alcohol. My mind was just so noisy. I feel so much better now I don’t drink.

Op, join the Brave Babes threads in the relationship forum. No judging and tons of advice and support

I hope you're feeling positive today.

@41stars thank you for asking - my GP is lovely and always on board for me. Has prescribed Antabuse and Acamprosate to tide me over until I have appointment with D&A services.

@Frannibananni, I feel exactly the same as you used to. I keep passing out on the sofa and waking in the early hours and having to put myself to bed. And then of course I don’t sleep.

@dementedma, I was on Brave Babes years ago and made some really good friends; it helped me stop for quite a while but here I am again. Thank you @EmeraldShamrock, yes I am feeling more positive but scared of the urges which will kick in mid-afternoon. Must absolutely not drink today as DD is back from holiday and she’d be devastated.

You should be so proud of yourself for speaking honestly to the GP and making a plan for a way forward. That’s a massive step.
I also suffer from anxiety. Stopping alcohol may also help with your levels of anxiety. Good luck.

OP, just checking in that your doctor has discussed with you how to safely start the Antabuse, and what will happen if you drink on it? I am amazed this has been prescribed for you without an intervention to help you manage the cravings.

Also, it's brilliant that you have been referred to an addiction service. Got them to work with your GP to get you on a slow and steady reduction plan for the pregablin also. It sounds like you know you are ready to come off of it. You will need some support with it. Wishing you very well

Just read this and I'm really routing for you. Take it hour by hour, day by day. You are worth it. No beating yourself up for any slips. Just try to be your own best friend and make the best choices for you and your health as often as you can. Very best of luck

Yes, I’m now sober 9 years…

Second the Jason vale book, excellent
Went to aa
Personal therapy
Drug and alcohol centre group
Hypnosis
White knuckling
Then finally a script for naltraxone

I worked so hard, did everything I could to stop, read everything, was on every forum going. I will never go there again, life is so much better without it, I promise you

Every time (before the last time) I gave up, I knew in my heart that I would drink again. Except the last time, something in me just clicked. Why make it hard? Just stop. You can xxxxxx

That's great news!

Remember it's small steps and don't be harsh on yourself, you will feel like crap for about a week as you get used to not drinking! I haven't drank for a few days now and still feel like I have a hangover as my body is so use to getting alcohol that it seems to be putting up a fight but it's slowly detoxing!

Well done!!

My anxiety and depression has lessened significantly since I stopped also

Tell people you are trying, get some cheerleaders :)

Thank you all, your encouragement and advice (and love) is helping so much. I’ve taken Antabuse before @Restlessinthenorth and am well aware of what happens if you drink on it! It does stop me from drinking but the problem is that I stop taking it after a while because I think I can drink in moderation. Anyway I’ll be AF today after downing 1-2 bottles a night for the last couple of weeks and that will make me feel good. A birthday present to myself (which is tomorrow).

@nzeire I’m wary of telling people I’m trying to stop because I don’t want them to think I have a drink problem! But perhaps honesty is the best policy....

I think this was such a brave and honest thread and have great respect. You are doing so well OP I really believe you can keep going .
When I wanted to cut back I found an Allen Carr book made it so easy to not want any. I was drinking half a bottle a night all the time when read it and currently on none though I did go back to wanting wine after a bit!

My partner is doing this with me but he doesn't drink nearly as much as me and I told a couple of my friends that I just wanted to give myself a break and kinda joked that I moaned I'm not losing weight but then drinking 2 bottles of wine a night so they see it more of a diet thing than problem thing. Either way, it's a help.

@HildegardeCrowe

How are you?

Oh fuckity fuck not good @41stars. Second bottle beckoning. Can I ever get well?

Have you read the book the unexpected joys of being sober xxxxx

It's hard work, no point lying but you can do it.

Seconding 41stars. It’s hard work. Excruciatingly hard at times but worth it.

Hope you’re ok op.

@HildegardeCrowe sorry to hear you are having a tough time. For what it's worth, you aren't failing. All the evidence around stopping shows that willpower alone is often just not enough. If it helps you to make sense of it, have a read about ego-fatigue and delayed discounting. Won't change anything but it might throw some light on just why it's so tough. Be kind to yourself!

Hold out for that referral to an alcohol service. I hope it's a good one where they can give you some treatment/an intervention which will tackle the root cause of your drinking. A support team can really often make the difference. In the meantime, do you have thiamine prescribed? Just as a protective measure until you get on top of this.

Sending positive thoughts your way

Morning @Restlessinthenorth, thank you for the words of encouragement, It really helps to know that it is possible to overcome addiction. No I haven’t asked about Thiamine, is that a vitamin? Can you get it OTC or does it have to be prescribed? My appointment with D&A is telephone would you believe but hope I’ll get to see someone eventually. Being on Pregabalin strangely stops me from having hangovers so am feeling fine this morning despite having knocked back nearly 2 bottles of wine 😕

@HildegardeCrowe your GP should provide you with thiamine. It's basically vitamin B1 which is utterly essential to protect your brain when you are drinking a lot. Call your GP about it, it's really, really important.

I know the telephone appointment sounds tricky but take it. I know services have adapted quickly and it's crucial to get into the system. They will be able to liaise with your GP to help you have a really long slow taper off the pregablin. I've supported people to do this before, it can be done!

You’re a star @Restlessinthenorth. Did I mention I’m on the highest dose of 600mg daily? How long do you think it would take to come off? Dreading the return of my severe anxiety (that’s why I take it) but I know there are better ways to deal with that.

@HildegardeCrowe I wouldn't like to suggest a time because it's such a personal journey. In my experience it needs to be done VERY gradually. You can't fight two battles at once (alcohol and pregablin), so you need someone at the service you are going to help you come up with a plan of attack.

All services are different but some have a specialist service attached to work with people with co occurring mental health and addiction problems. If yours does, ask for a referral in to them. They will have seen this before. Tackling your anxiety is the key here.

You are really brave to be seeking this help and looking to make these changes.