4 bottles in one sitting...need help!!

[Scoley76]

Hi. Well where to start......
I have a problem with drink! Drinking up to 4 bottles of wine at a time maybe 4 times a week. I have drank more tbh but generally it's between 2- 4. I have a partner and a beautiful 7 year old boy who just doesn't deserve this. Today it has to change and I'm hoping using this forum will help. I've lied, covered up and spent hundreds of £££s. Has anyone got any tips to achieve what seems like a mammoth task? xx

Sort to hear about your struggles.

I'm doing OK thanks for asking. 21 days sober with one little blip in the middle. Im taking that as a win for me though. Everyday I'm thinking about drinking.less and less and hopefully this is the start of getting my life back on track x

That’s brilliant! Well done.

You are very unlikely to be able to give up on your own. You need support from the gp and a referral to a drug and alcohol service. Being brutally honest, if you aren't ready to do that you aren't ready to give up.

I am very sorry. I missed the part when you said you'd contacted the gp. Well done OP and my apologies again.

Wow that's fantastic OP. Really impressive! I can't think of a way to handclap you without sounding patronising, but - consider it done?

If you don't fancy AA then take a look at smart recovery online. They have zoom sessions, you don't have to speak if you don't want to and its a really nice supportive atmosphere

Waving to fellow smartie!

OP ring up your local community drugs and alcohol support clinic (this is where the GP will send you anyway) my local one was BRILLIANT. Tough but fair. Good luck, there's so much waiting for you in the other side.

Just stop lying

I think drinking at that level you will need medical advice on withdrawal. I managed my withdrawal symptoms ok but I was “only” drinking a bottle of wine a night. You can change but please do it safely x

You need help. You need it straight away.

A close relative has just died. They drank a box of wine most nights- that’s 4 bottles.

Multi organ failure.

Get help and use it.

I apologise profusely. You are 21 days sober and that is amazing. Well done!!

I hope things are still going according to plan, OP

You can do this on your own but you have to want to .

Firstly - taper down . So reduce your consumption by a glass each time - in order to do this pour your first glass away down the sink .

You say you dont crave - but can't stop when started .

Well - that's ok . Reduce the level by a glass each time - you'll soon be down to a level where it is t dangerous to stop - when you're down to half a bottle a day - go cold turkey. If you di t start drinking you wi t crave the next . Get an app like "I am sober " to help you with accountability.

Good luck x

Sorry guilty of nrtft!!!

Well done op x

How are you @Scoley76

If you find the AA style doesn't suit you (and it doesn't suit everyone (me)) there's also something called Smart Recovery which you can access from a computer. They have webinars, Teams type 'meetings' and chat rooms. Oh, yes there's William Porter's book - Alcohol Explained, its very good. I was like you, embarrassed to go to the GP but please do it's really not hard when you actually get there. I didn't go until all three of my children got cross and upset with me not stopping when the asked me. They voted with their feet and went to live with their Dad. Don't be me. I'm heartbroken, they were my world. I don't know if you are in UK - there's always a service called Turning Point (a doctor can refer you). With them, they have the power to refer you to a residential detox place. But you'd have to ask, they won't volunteer the info. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.

PS Sorry if I've repeated anything already written, I've not got time to read everything but wanted to reply.

You will need help at that level of consumption.

If you need to address the phyical you cannot do it alone. But it doesn't need to be as scary as you think.

You can in fact have a free (bar prescription costs) at home detox/rehab on the NHS.

You have to refer to your local substance abuse centre. Some will let you self refer, some may require Dr referal.

They should be able to offer support.

You can find them here www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/find-an-alcohol-addiction-service/location.

Avoid CGL they seem to direct to Detox UK who will charge. If you struggle to get free help, these can help: Dear Albert can help: www.dearalbert.co.uk/nhs-alcohol-detox/.

I did around 3 months counselling once a week prior and again after. 10 day at home detox with family support.

The medication made phyical withdrawal smooth and easy to the point I didn't have a single side effect.

I'm sober 3.5 years later.

Please see your GP, they will also be able to refer you to the local alcohol/substance misuse service (will have different names dependent on area) - they will be able to offer you group work, 1:1 support, counselling as well as support with any medical detox etc.