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Original poster

Problem/Dependent Drinkers and Alcoholics (recovering or active) Support V

690 replies

kokeshi · 22/05/2008 00:12

Welcome to the thread, the purpose of this is to give anyone who is having any trouble with their drinking, a safe place to come and post about it honestly and without judgement.

There are many of us that use the thread for support and encouragement: some in recovery, others just needing a place to share about their worries. It's been going on in one form of another for a while now and has helped many people.

Thank you to all of those who have kept it going thus far, and welcome to anyone who has decided the time has come to ask for help.

Everybody's welcome, no matter what stage your drinking is at.

Jump right in, the water's fine

OP posts:
2sugars · 29/05/2008 22:50

Feel better already pc!

Original poster
kokeshi · 29/05/2008 23:00

Hey guys, I agree about using words like 'failure', it's not helpful I don't think. If you are fed up with your situation you are the only one who can change it. Similarly if you somehow feel comfortable where you are, even if it's painful then you won't change.

If you don't want to, no-one can help you. There are no magic answers I'm afraid, but repeating the same behaviour over and over again will get you exactly the same results. Maybe it's time to look at a different way of doing things?

Well done to all of those guys getting honest and putting the effort in, you'll be rewarded.

OP posts:
BlaDeBla · 30/05/2008 00:02

((((((big warm cuddlehugs to kokeshi)))) I'm so glad you're there! Yes, it's so true - do what you've always done and you'll get what you'll get what you'll always got.

2sugars · 30/05/2008 00:19

koseshi, I did the same thing last week that I've done for the last three years - had one glass of wine, that lead onto another, and another. And now I'm spiralling down, thinking I may just have another, since the last one may send me into a seizuire. What would you do?

Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 00:20

Ta BlaDeBla, a cuddlehug never goes amiss. Right back at ya!

OP posts:
Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 00:21

2sugars, are you drinking at the moment? Are you sure it's not withdrawal seizures?

OP posts:
2sugars · 30/05/2008 00:23

kodeshi, yes, and yes.

2sugars · 30/05/2008 00:24

Sorry, meant yes and no, I'm sure it was.

Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 00:29

The last drink of the evening doesn't sent you into seizure, it's the time between that and the next one - the withdrawal period - that causes it. If you're at this stage of drinking, I'd really recommend you see a GP about a medical detox and rehab. That has to be some serious drinking you're doing.

They're hellish those seizures, and every time it happens you're one step closer to not coming back from it. Seriously, it can lead to sudden death or just complete loss of short term memory...permanently. I know of someone, aboout the same age as me that woke from a seizure and didn't have a clue who or what they were. She and had to be institutionalised. Sad thing is she had two small kids too. WOrse than death that IMO.

Not scaremongering but I think you should take it seriously. Well done for being brave and being honest about it, but DO get some professional help.

OP posts:
Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 00:30

If it's not withdrawal seizures do you have epilepsy?

OP posts:
2sugars · 30/05/2008 00:35

God, Kokeshi, you've put the fear of God into me now. I'm 3 months away from being able to drive (not through drinking and driving, I hasten to add) but through a last fit. Didn't BM manage it by lessening her alcohol intake? Do you think that's possible?

Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 00:42

If it were me, I wouldn't be gambling with my sanity. I dunno, it's your choice in the end. I think anyone who has experienced a medical detox will tell you just how much more comfortable and easy it is.

You really shouldn't be driving either by the way, if you're having seizures. I'm only telling you the worst case scenario of course, but I know what it feels like and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I think you need to be honest with yourself about the extent of your problem and decide the appropriate course of action. Without help, it gets worse, and that I can guarantee.

What's preventing you from confronting it, do you think?

OP posts:
Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 00:44

Wait, can you just clarify for me when this happens and how frequently? I don't want to scare you if it's something totally different.

What do you think yourself? Is it an alcohol withdrawal seizure? Does it get better if you have a drink? How much are you drinking in a day?

OP posts:
2sugars · 30/05/2008 00:45

Kokeshi, I'm NOT driving. That's the whole thing.

I am confronting it, been seeing a psychiatrist for the last 3 years .....

2sugars · 30/05/2008 00:47

And yes, it does get better with a drink. Though the whole world seemed better when I didn't.

Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 00:57

No, I know you're not driving at the moment but it's going to be coming up soon. Do you see anything changing in the near future WRT drink? I mean do you want things to be different?

It's difficult to say what's best because I'm not sure of your story. But keep posting if it helps. I hope the psychiatrist is helping you move forward.

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2sugars · 30/05/2008 01:02

kokeshi, I really like him, but WRTD, he's rubbish. I feel like I'm in a no-win situation - trapped because I can't drive, trapped for having to spend all days not driving.

You've done an amazing job on here, BTW.

Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 01:14

Well, you know I kinda have the same opinion of psychiatrists myself. There's not a hell of a lot they can do except prescribe pills. I felt I was just repeating the same things over and over again when I saw him. He'd say 'you won't get better until you stop drinking' and I'd ask for help and he'd be useless.

I started to get things together when I took control of my own recovery. You can do so much more for yourself you know, and it's all just wee baby steps. You need to reach out though, that's important.

You can improve your life, there's a solution there for you. You just need to be ready I think.

I'm only passing on what was given to me, and FWIW, I really do want people to experience the joy of sobriety. It's beyond my wildest dreams and I make no apologies for saying that

OP posts:
Original poster
kokeshi · 30/05/2008 01:18

Did they take your licence away for health reasons then? Specifically because you have issues with drink and seizures? (I know you didn't drink and drive).

OP posts:
BrassicMonkey · 30/05/2008 03:41

2sugars, I did get sober through reducing my intake last year. It didn't last though, and I did an outpatient medical detox a few weeks ago. I don't think I could have faced going back to the measuring jug.

I don't plan on having to do either again, but if I had to, I'd opt for the medical detox. It was supposed to take 5 weeks for me to reduce safely, but I did it in half that time because it was just so bloody awful and depressing. Each day got tougher and tougher. The medical detox was easy in comparison. I had to stop drinking at 9pm on a Sunday and I got my meds the following day at 10.30am. As well as protecting you from seizures, the meds give you a pleasant, distant feeling. I felt like I still had the buffer that drink gave me, but I wasn't incapable. The detox only lasted 9 days and included 3 quick hospital appts to collect the next few days meds.

One thing to consider though, is that you can't have an outpatient detox if your drinking exceeds a certain limit. I didn't know this and had a big blow out on the Thursday before my detox and almost sabotaged it. The limit for me was set at 30 units but I was encouraged to stay well under that after I got my telling off. I wouldn't normally mention it, but I thought you might be drinking very heavily if you're having seizures. (I've never had one btw).

I don't think I actually needed a detox as I could go 2-3 days without picking up a drink. My therapist knew this but still suggested that I do it as a starting point to my recovery.

Let us know what you decide to do.

2sugars · 30/05/2008 07:30

Yes, kokeshi, that was the reason.

BM, thanks for that. I don't want a medical detox - have had those before, and if I ask for another one it will delay my driving license for another year.

Can't (actually, can) believe it takes 5 weeks to reduce safely

paperchain · 30/05/2008 09:39

Hi others, of course!

teasle · 30/05/2008 09:50

Hi everyone.

I can only speak from my own experience, but when I was trying to sort out my drinking by myself it became obvious over a period of time that i just couldn't do it. I had to go and get help (again).
I think its only when I really accetpted that I couldn't do this by myself that things started to change. It felt like an awful decision at the time, but actually it was the best thing i ever did, because i've managed to get my life and my sanity back- after a lot of work mind, but its true about the baby steps, and the one day at a time thing.

I hope those who are really struggling with their drinking get some help, and I do remember what an awful, desperate lonely place it can be.

Big hello to Kokeshi- so pleased to see you posting again. And BM, although i know you are having to really look after yourself in your recovery, so keep putting yourself first, don't worry about others. You deserve some support in what you're doing- its brilliant.

Hi to everyone else, I hope you are all well today.

teasle · 30/05/2008 09:51

Hi Paperchain, cross-posted!

paperchain · 30/05/2008 09:56

hi teasle!!! in a mad rush this morning!! back later

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