My dad is an alcoholic, he has a full time job so goes 12 hours without drinking and has no side effects - shakes etc, so he’s not likely to be alcohol dependent, so should be safe for him to stop drinking.
His drinking has gotten worse in the past 6 months and he’s finally accepted he has a problem. He drinks daily, between 7 - 12 cans of beer, depending on weekday/weekend.
He’s had a problem for over a decade but think he has convinced himself it’s not been a problem until now, as it was 4-8 cans previously . Either way he’s accepted it a problem, he registered with a GP, waited 5 weeks for an appointment to be told he needs to self refer to a drug and alcohol service. He’s done that. They’ve offered him an appointment in 6 weeks but he doesn’t want to wait anymore.
His main worry is when he tried to stop drinking he cannot sleep, he gets an hour or two before waking up with severe anxiety, and then has nightmares all night.
My worry is that he will say he’s going to stop but he’ll get in from work and not be able to do it, and he will go out and buy some.
It might not be the right thing, but I’ve suggested he go to Holland and Barrett and buy some CBD oil to take before bed, hoping that it will help with anxiety even if it’s just the placebo effect.
Does anyone have any experience with this, any tips on going cold turkey, anything that will help.
Also no offence intended but he will absolutely not go to AA or any group things, I appreciate it helps lots of people but my dad doesn’t believe in any of that. I’m hoping once the alcohol services get involved they can support with his mental health/therapy etc which he needs as I think he’s been self medicating all these years. But until they are involved I’m hoping to be able to give him some tips on doing it himself.