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Just detoxed in hospital. Help me keep going

5 replies

Theskyoutsideisblue · 03/07/2023 16:36

I have been drinking too much since a relative's murder 12 years ago. About 5 bottles of wine a week. 2 weeks ago I had a huge ethical issue. I couldn't solve it. So stuck head in sand. Didn't eat, sleep for 4 days and drank 3 bottles of wine each day. Thought I had given myself alcohol poisoning.
One morning thought enough.
Confessed to husband.
He rang 111 they said taper.
I guess as punishment decided cold turkey.
They referred me to hospital.
They were brilliant
Have done the bulk of the detox in hospital even though they really should have sent me home to taper.
Not had any judgement. Just compassion
Please keep me going. X

OP posts:
Giselletheunicorn · 03/07/2023 16:56

I have no direct experience of this, OP. But I'm sure you are a smart person who knows that if you relapse you risk ending up dead.

Please be gentle with yourself and think about how you need to organise your life in order to stay away from booze. That might mean avoiding certain triggers, certain people and getting your support network in place. Please seek advice from doctors and please contact AA.

If you are posting here, clearly you want to change and you want to live. So get your support network in place.

I am wishing you so much good fortune and strength.

mindutopia · 03/07/2023 17:07

I'm so sorry about all you've been through. It sounds like you've had a really traumatic time. Do you have support? Detox is one thing, but now is when the real work begins. The good thing is that, physically, you have only been drinking heavily for a few weeks, if understand correctly (the 3 bottles a day started 2 weeks ago?), so your body will recover quickly. But you no doubt have emotional wounds that you will need to work to heal and those will take time and you will need support from other people who are sober. Would you go to AA? Do you feel that fits you? Not everyone with a drinking problem identifies as an alcoholic or feels like they fit in with AA. But there are other options out there. Has the hospital referred you to any support through your GP? Or elsewhere?

You absolutely can do it. When I got sober, I was drinking 3 bottles of wine a day every day for a very long time. There are people who will understand what you're going through and have been there. But it's support that really made a difference and having someone else to check in with.

REP22 · 03/07/2023 17:17

Oh bless you. That was very brave, admitting that you needed to stop and doing something about it. Don't underestimate the strength and courage that that took.

I recommend reading The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray. That book really helped me, as did The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley. There's also a really good MN thread for support in living an AF life - latest one here: The continuing support thread for living alcohol-free. Everyone welcome. | Mumsnet. I've found it incredibly helpful.

There might be some hard times to come, when the wine witch calls you and tells you that it will be alright this time, that you can moderate, you can have just one... Don't believe it. Keep on going and it will get easier with time. Think of how much better you feel in the mornings after not drinking.

I also recommend downloading a sober tracking App. The one I use is IAmSober (others are available), I use the free version. It's very helpful, especially the bit that tallies up how much money you have saved by not buying alcohol.

It might also be worth looking into some counselling for the issues that made you want to blot out the pain with drink, if you haven't already. Lots of us, myself included, drank to numb the anguish of history. Sadly that is still there when the drink is gone. But it is possible to learn to life, without drink as a crutch.

Very best wishes to you. I hope you have lots of happier times to come. x

clarepetal · 03/07/2023 17:24

Don't know what to say except well bloody done. And keep going x

FusionChefGeoff · 03/07/2023 17:32

Definitely speak to AA and they will usually put you in touch with someone in your area (another woman) who's been where you are and who will chat to you and take you to a meeting.

If you don't change anything, nothing will change and the next time you have an ethical / work / relationship / financial problem you'll be right back where you've been for the last few days.

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