Any doctors around? Is this level of drinking unsafe to go cold turkey from?

[ashamedashamed]

Posting for traffic.

I'm really embarrassed to admit this. I've had a drink problem for a few years now. I think it's due to very severe childhood trauma I experienced. My brain is always in hyperarousal so I feel I 'need' a drink to calm it and obviously I like the fuzziness.

I usually keep somewhat of a 'handle' on it. Like no drinking before 8pm and no more than 60 units a week. Yes I realise 60 units a week will sound like a huge amount to most people and that I don't really have a handle on it, but I don't feel I can stop completely that terrifies me, so I try control it best I can.

I had some news about the perpetrator of the trauma 2 weeks ago and I've been drinking 20-30 units a day since then. I don't even get really drunk. I know this cannot continue. My eyes and skin are all red and dry, and as soon as the alcohol leaves my system I get sweaty, feel hot flashes like sunburn, headaches and get nauseated. I don't normally get this on my usual amount.

I'm aware I've done this to myself. I want to at least cut down to the 60 units I've been on for years.

I'm going to my support bubble household tonight.

I absolutely cannot go to my GP or anything about this. I don't feel I could do that. They know about my PTSD and I'm getting treatment starting tomorrow for that and have counselling already.

Is it safe to cut down from 20-30 units a day to 9 units immediately? Or does it risk DTs? Given I've only been drinking the higher amount for 2 weeks.

Do seizures etc come on suddenly?

For me, I felt as if I was about to puke, then I hit the deck. It was very sudden. I would take one of your diazepam today OP (I don't want to refer to you as "ashamed", you have nothing to be ashamed of. No point in having a worse time than you have to, and they help to prevent fitting.

Did your GP prescribe vitamin B compound + thiamine? It's really important to take these. Be prepared for intense sugar cravings in the next week or two (nobody told me about that bit).

Sorry to go on, just remembered one more thing... As you're using alcohol to self-medicate, would you consider your GP prescribing an anti-anxiety med? I take mirtazapine myself (also for depression) and it does have a sedating effect.

Well done, amazing (giant) first steps you have made.

OP I would take the diazipam, once you know you don't have go out driving again, this should prevent any seizures coming on, which yes can happen suddenly for some.

As a pervious poster said, you have nothing to be ashamed off.
You recognised you have a problem and have gotten help, that is a huge first step and something to be proud off.

Best of luck with it all OP

Hurrah! Terrific job getting help.

Come join the crew, we're all friendly and have bags of experience.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4043965-YES-it-is-SO-worth-it-YES-it-gets-easier-and-YES-we-thought-it-was-impossible-as-well-its-not-A-thread-for-those-embracing-an-alcohol-free-existence

I'm so pleased to see your update.
I hope you also get some support for the causes of your drinking. Best of luck.

@HaHaVeryBunny

OP I would take the diazipam, once you know you don't have go out driving again, this should prevent any seizures coming on, which yes can happen suddenly for some.

As a pervious poster said, you have nothing to be ashamed off.
You recognised you have a problem and have gotten help, that is a huge first step and something to be proud off.

Best of luck with it all OP

What she said wrt the diazepam. Obviously they're addictive, but you'll only be on them for a couple of days, until the alcohol is well and truly out of your system.

Well done on getting help. The first step is the hardest. Good to see your GP was supportive and not judgemental.

Take care x

@Bluntness100 Right now it's 24.5 hours since my last drink. I feel fine physically, and actually fine mentally right now. I know myself though. It's difficult to describe, but with the PTSD, I can often have OK 'normal' days or runs of days, but then for a reason or seemingly no reason I'll feel negative emotions and be like 'I have to not feel this' , which can also last days. When I went to counselling before they called it emotional flashbacks. Twice I've had a complete breakdown lasting months, the last was this spring.

It's when I feel like I just can't feel these feelings anymore, that's when I feel like drinking.

I've trouble sleeping due to the PTSD and also a chronic pain issue I have, so the drink became a bottle wine every night thing about 3 years ago, and 2 weeks ago it went off the rails. I don't sleep at all well without it so tell myself I need it, but I know that my health will be better without it, even without much sleep.

@DrGachet I'll take it, especially if I get any cravings. Never taken it before. Yes the GP prescribed thiamin and cobalamin something. I have taken them.

A close family member is on mirtazipine, and it's worked wonders for them but they've put on a massive amount of weight. All who were involved seem to have PTSD as a result of what happened. I'll certainly look into it. I was on citalopram and propanolol when I had the breakdown in spring, no sedating but did help. Silly me thought I was fine and stopped them.

Luckily I don't drive anyway. I didn't want to walk the school run though cause I don't know how I'll feel on them.

Thanks everyone else too.

OP, well done on talking to your GP. Keep posting on here for support and advice. Also, there is a brilliant alcohol quit support group or two on here - look it up and post there too as there will be someone going through what you are.

You can do this - and there is support so please don't be afraid to ask. Well done on 24 hours.

Well done op.
I second other posters who suggest you get in touch with AA. It will help you.

There are AA zoom meetings on literally 24/7. If you PM me I will 'go' with you to one tonight

Really well done for calling your GP. Regarding the time between your last drink and a possible seizure - I've definitely gone a couple of days feeling ok and then it's gone downhill. I would definitely take a diazepam if you have not drunk anything for 24 hours. As to any warning - I think it's personal but I used to have visual and auditory hallucinations, I heard singing outside, radios blaring, anything electrical talking to me, spiders climbing up the wall, ghosts (often green) coming through the windows. But in the thick of this, especially if you are alone, you don't recognise this as withdrawal, even if you have experienced it before.

I find drinking water helps too.

it will get worse before it gets better, and this is longterm op.
glad you have started with the support.
use the diazepam

Hey op how are you this morning? Do you manage to not drink last nighT?

if you are serious about addressing your addiction then you will find social work involvement to be positive and helpful to you

I’m a regular poster but have name changed for this thread. I used to drink around 70 units a week (roughly a bottle of wine a day). Last year I went completely cold turkey overnight and didn’t touch a drop of alcohol for the best part of 12 months. I had no adverse affects whatsoever from going from 70 to 0 - only good ones! Assuming you’re generally fit and healthy, it can absolutely be done on your own without medical assistance. If you were on say 120 units a week or have health problems then it may be a different story. And if you need mental support from someone else to quit then again, it’s clearly best to seek help.

How are you feeling op?

20 to 30 units for only for two weeks. That a fortnight's all-inclusive holiday boozing for a lot of people, who then go back to work afterwards and don't drink for a bit.

Surely you drink 20 units today and then taper to 9 units over a couple of days? Can't see that presenting a huge problem IF you have the discipline to do it.

Following this thread with anticipation. Well done OP. You have done amazing. I currently drink around 10-15 units of an evening and have done for two years or more. I'm not sure whether to be concerned as I don't crave it or anything. However, I do have health anxiety and worry that if I stop I may cause a seizure etc.... not sure if I am just being to anxious about it but I'd definitely like to cut back somewhat.

How's it going today OP? I do hope you're OK.

As previous posters have said, don’t go cold turkey.
Do you think you would find a telephone consultation with your GP easier?

I’m glad you are reaching out and ready to get some help.

If you can’t face your GP yet then give AA ring for a chat.
I’ve spoken to AA and Drinkaware before when I had concerns about a friend. They were very kind and helpful.

Stay strong, you can do this

I started again

I really want to stop. I feel like I have the appetite for it now, if that makes sense. Without alcohol, my PTSD symptoms especially the anxiety side, it's really difficult. Flashbacks, insomnia, panic attacks, dissociation, lack of motivation. It feels too difficult without that numbing.

I cannot go on like this though. The past week I've been 15-20 units a day, spaced out throughout the day.

I'm so sick of feeling ill. My skin is red and dry, my eyes have lost their sparkle, I get achy kidneys and I've started to get sore lower leg cramps (lack of vitamins maybe). I'm sick of worrying if people can smell it.

6-8 hours after last drink I am getting nausea, hot and cold sweats, and the other day I got jittery legs. Then my mind tells me I need a drink.

I listened to the AA zoom meetings all night with earphones on. The first time ever. I am surprised but it did help.

I don't want to say I am 100% going to do this, in case I can't, but I really, really want to stop, or at least moderate (although I think it would gradually increase like it has over the past 2 years - to think I used to barely drink before that).

I will go back in the antidepressants soon if I can't do this without them. I got side effects from them but it can't be worse than this and they did help with the PTSD a bit.

Make a plan for tonight. Try to find some space where you can quiet your mind. No TV, maybe put the radio on. Put your phone away. Make a pot of tea or hot chocolate. Maybe read a book or have a bath.

Just for tonight?

please don’t feel ashamed, drinking is an illness which you can beat with the right support and help. Admitting the problem is the first step to recovery.

Antidepressants sound like a good idea. Can you also write down what you drink and when, then write a plan to reduce it, even if it’s just by a few units per day? Pour smaller glasses. If there is a place where you usually sit and drink, stop sitting there. Distract yourself- what do you enjoy doing?

Stay hydrated, get yourself some of your favourite soft drink and drink that throughout the day. Also consider taking a multivitamin especially if you aren’t eating well.

I’m glad AA have been useful. Would you consider ringing them for a chat?

Remember to be kind to yourself.

@cansu

Interesting that everyone is advocating the GP when a GP has posted to say they can do nothing to help and would just give the OP the number of drug and alcohol services. If this is true, it doesn't give anyone much hope of support from primary health care. I would also imagine that given the lockdown getting that support from specialist services will be even more challenging.

Exactly.

Also not true that the GP will not be judgemental; some are incredibly so.

I don’t want to put you off OP, and I hope yours is supportive.

Also don’t agree that AA won’t be any help- they are probably used to coming across this kind of situation.

Does anyone know why the GP can’t prescribe diazepam etc anymore?

Could you afford a private residential detox, OP?