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Alcohol support

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Original poster

I called Alcoholics Anonymous

142 replies

winewine · 25/12/2023 10:52

I just called the helpline and spoke to a lovely man.
He said he will get someone to call me to support me and get me to a meeting.
The thought of a drink is turning my stomach. I'm so sick of it.
My life is out of control.

OP posts:
theworldhasgoneinsane · 28/12/2023 07:34

These are big steps you're making and to stop OP
It's so tough but you can do it

AA saved someone I love

Good luck and believe in yourself

wite · 28/12/2023 07:44

You don't need to call AA again if you don't want to, you just need to go to a meeting. It'll be nerve wracking at first but every single person there will relate to that.

Good luck x

Original poster
winewine · 28/12/2023 18:00

I have called drink aware.
I have been given a number for CGL but they closed at 5pm.

I called drink aware back to speak to a senior advisor. No one was available so I was told to try later.

Why is it so hard to get support ?

If all else fails I'll go to the AA meeting Saturday morning.

Thank you for the support.

OP posts:
Original poster
winewine · 28/12/2023 18:02

@wite
I know I can just turn up but thought it would've been better to have someone accompany me.

They said they could arrange for someone to meet with me before I go in.

OP posts:
MadamVastra · 28/12/2023 18:19

Hi op! Can you say which county you are in? Then maybe someone here can go with you?

Original poster
winewine · 28/12/2023 18:40

@MadamVastra
I'm in London so there should be plenty of help.
Sadly not.
If you have anymore suggestions I would be grateful.

OP posts:
Original poster
winewine · 28/12/2023 19:30

I've spoken to so many people but still no help.

OP posts:
Coyoacan · 29/12/2023 01:49

That is great that you are so determined. Please take vitamin B complex meanwhile, whether you are still drinking or not at the moment. It will help you stop.

Catsknowbest · 29/12/2023 08:19

Coyoacan · 29/12/2023 01:49

That is great that you are so determined. Please take vitamin B complex meanwhile, whether you are still drinking or not at the moment. It will help you stop.

This is excellent advice. As strange as it sounds it will help

SkyBlueBoy · 29/12/2023 14:10

Coyoacan · 29/12/2023 01:49

That is great that you are so determined. Please take vitamin B complex meanwhile, whether you are still drinking or not at the moment. It will help you stop.

I'll second this aswell, when I ended up at the GP to get help, I got vitamin B tablets to take to boost my system.

If the AA rooms where you are, are anything like the ones I've been to, you will be welcomed with open arms even if you are on your own, it will be the best thing you ever do I promise 🙏

anythinginapinch · 30/12/2023 19:05

I went to AA and sat there terrified and so ashamed, looking at the normal sensible nice folks around me and wondering wtf they could be doing there. I felt so ashamed and out of place and anxious. Then they started talking ... and it turned out, who'd have guessed it, that they too were all alcoholics, had done terribly unappealing things when drunk, had lied, deceived people, dodged and dived to get a drink, shouted at partners, had sex with strangers ... and some had just been pissed around their children, or slept through children being ill, or missed parents evening. Or just drunk and drunk to avoid feeling their feelings. And I felt such overwhelming relief that I was in the room with them. Good luck. It does help.

wite · 30/12/2023 19:07

How are you OP?

Original poster
winewine · 01/01/2024 21:35

Haven't made it to a meeting yet.
Ended up drinking Boxing Day and every day since.

I called AA back and I was assured someone would call. No one did.

I called the Samaritans the 24 hour mental health line and still no help.

I've also made an appointment for a GP appointment.

I did go on Reddit and I've reached out to the sub's Alcoholics Anonymous and stop drinking. That is helping as there are people on there like me.

I am nearly at the end of day one again. I've felt unwell and shaky but I told myself that's ok and tried to have a peaceful day and not stress.

I feel a bit better than I did.

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 01/01/2024 21:42

It's very unusual that you're not getting a call back as I'm in AA and EVERYONE I know who does phone duty takes it very very seriously.

Are you sure your phone isn't blocking unknown callers? Or on silent or something?

Please keep trying them.

Also if you are desperate then just go to a meeting on your own. As soon as you see someone loitering outside the church hall / community space just say it's your first meeting and you will be well looked after.

Original poster
winewine · 01/01/2024 21:47

@FusionChefGeoff

It's just going to that first meeting.
If I got a phone call for someone to meet me first so I didn't have to go on my own I would definitely go.

I've called 3 times this year.

They say they will find a woman my age so maybe that is the problem.

Maybe I'm the only female alcoholic where I live. Joking.

Tbh I'm not fussed on sex or age. Support from anyone would help.

OP posts:
Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 01/01/2024 22:06

Hi op I have been where you have been, and so I know, it feels impossible now but, you can do this.
I used a variety of methods I did speak to aa and attended one online meeting which I found useful, but didn't feel right for me.
I have had lots of help from MN and they have some really supportive threads, you will find people in the same situation as you.
I echo previous advice B vitamins are vital, stay hydrated and eat whatever you need as you will feel exhausted/tired/emotional and negative.
Drink creates a false sense of security and I used to feel the same about myself as you do but, I can honestly say I now like the person I am. I don't have the guilt, worry or fear of what I said or did. I can trust myself and it feels amazing.
Sleep took 3 weeks to sort itself so I invested in nytol to help.
You really need to be kind to yourself and stop the self hate talk.

I really rate quit lit but found I couldn't really concentrate in the early days, so I listen to audiobooks. I can recommend some if you think it would help. Books are good because they are often written by people who have been where you are so, they are really relatable.
It is not easy, but 1 hour at a time or less if that is too much. I wouldn't set any sort of time limit to achieve sobriety by and avoid setting yourself rules.

You might find with Christmas gone it is easier. I had many false starts and took a long time to feel in control.

buddhasbelly · 01/01/2024 23:18

@winewine sorry you’ve not had a call back - sometimes there is a struggle to find someone local to your area but there is always the aim to phone back in 48 hrs.

you could also try www.wearewithyou.org.uk they have a webchat service (with actual people not a chatbot) that operates 9am-9pm - they can help find support in your area.

Home - With You

We are a charity that offers free, confidential support to people in England and Scotland who have issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health

http://www.wearewithyou.org.uk

Original poster
winewine · 02/01/2024 18:44

I'm on day 2 today.
Feeling a bit better.

OP posts:
Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 02/01/2024 19:58

@winewine that's positive well done. Keep posting you can do it.

Original poster
winewine · 02/01/2024 20:30

@Allthecatseverywhereallatonce

Thank you.
I'm concentrating on keeping calm, not getting overwhelmed or stressed.
If I have to let the day go to keep myself peaceful I will.

I let enough go when I was drinking and I didn't care.

OP posts:
Original poster
winewine · 02/01/2024 20:31

I'm finding the subreddit stop drinking very helpful.
If anyone else is struggling maybe take a look.

OP posts:
Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 03/01/2024 16:42

Hi @winewine how are you today?

Original poster
winewine · 03/01/2024 17:41

@Allthecatseverywhereallatonce
I'm not too bad thank you.
Tough day at work and the brief thought of a glass of wine passed through my head.
I didn't buy one.
The physical symptoms are getting less. Not so shaky and head not as cloudy.
I didn't sleep very well so im tired.
But day 3 nearly over.

OP posts:
SnowRoomAtTheInn · 03/01/2024 17:43

This is the ideal time to get to an AA meeting if you can. Well done!

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 03/01/2024 17:49

@winewine that is great progress. The sleep does take a while unfortunately but you could try nytol. I find that being tired really weakens my resolve. I had an awful day at work that ended in tears, and then a patient said to me I need to go home and have a large glass of wine 😬. It is always seen as a reward and socially acceptable which helps create the problems with alcohol.
I had some chocolate instead.