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Original poster

Now where do i turn???? [sad]

37 replies

pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:05

It has taken a great deal of courage for em to post this w/out a name change.
Today i have come to the realisation that i have serious drink problem . I decided i have to change my life dramatically or i am going to end up killing myself and leaving my two darling ds's w/out a mummy
So i looked up the A.A thinking that they are well heard of and maybe i could start there... until that was i went onto their website. And i have to say i was very shocked to read there 12 step programme. Now before i get into any christian/atheist dispute (which believ me i dont') i can't see how this is pratcial advice.... And now i am back to square one beacuse i don't know where else to go I would appreciate any advice or experience or even someone that has been where i am and can tell me there is light
Thanks for reading if you managed to get this far

OP posts:
Twinkie1 · 24/09/2006 21:07

Really don;t have any good advice but I have to say after seeig my G'Dad drinking himself to death and my father going half way there you have done the bravest thing you can and admitted you have a problem and need help.

I hope you get the answers you want and the help you need.

Good Luck and well done.

Twinkie

Original poster
pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:09

Thank you your message was much appreciated

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 24/09/2006 21:11

Message withdrawn

Original poster
pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:12

Btw please dont think this post was to gain sympathy. It really isn't i just need some real advice as i don't have anyone in rl to talk to

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beansprout · 24/09/2006 21:13

The 12 steps were written in the US in the 1930s and the language is very odd when you are new to it. There is no requirement to believe in God and the fact is that AA has helped millions of people. Go along and get some support and help. Don't be put off by something that doesn't matter at this stage. Go and meet some people who understand how you feel and what you need to do. Best of luck

dmo · 24/09/2006 21:13

poor you
at least you have realised b4 its too late for you and your kids weldone
try your GP see if they can get you help
you have done the hardest thing now you must carry on not for your children but for yourself

Original poster
pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:14

Yorkiegirl -
i went to gp last year to have routine bloods done, as i was tired all the time. Not only were my iron levels and selenium (?) levels tested but also my liver (i'm not sure why tbh) and was told that my levels were over three times what they should have been. You would have thought that woul dbe enough to scare me

OP posts:
Surfermum · 24/09/2006 21:14

See your GP pepperpots, he/she can refer you to the local addiction service. AA isn't the only option.

Saturn74 · 24/09/2006 21:14

Well done for such a brave post, pepperpots. I agree that your GP should be your first port of call. They'll be able to advise you and give you contacts that will understand and help.

Alibaldi · 24/09/2006 21:16

Well done for admitting you've got a problem. They say that is the hardest part. I admire you for your honesty. I would got to AA too, many people have nothing but good things to say for their help. Otherwise someone else here suggested contacting your GP - there may be private help available. But why not try AA first. Sending you my best wishes for your road to recovery ahead.

Original poster
pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:17

Has anyone had experience of going to an AA meeting?
Beansprout thanks for your msg - You have opened my eyes a little, maybe i need to look at the bigger picture

OP posts:
Original poster
pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:19

unforunatley i dont have a very sympathetic gp after i had results back, i refused to admit there and then i had a problem, even though my enzymes were extermely high. I think she just though 'oh well, if she doesn't want help......' which tbh i dont blame her looking back

OP posts:
PinkTulips · 24/09/2006 21:20

firstly pepper, well done! you've admitted there's a problem which is the biggest and most important step.

do you think you could afford to go for private councelling? even if its only fortnightly just to be able to talk to someone unbiased and get to the root of the problem in a calm controlled environment would probably help alot, and having to admit to this person if you slipped up might help prevent you doing so iykwim?

for what its worth both dp and i gave up cold turkey with no outside support except each other (in fact our families laughed at us and tried to convince us to drink) and we have been sober almost 4 years now . we needed to give up as we were both borderline alcoholics, needed drink on a daily basis..... drank to get drunk.

your dd's will be so proud of you when they grow up for doing this for them and for yourself

Original poster
pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:23

Ther is no way i coudl afford private counselling and tbh there is no way i could go c/turkey. DP isn't the most supportive when it comes to my drinking. Not being a drinker himself he doesn't understand why i can't just give up

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dmo · 24/09/2006 21:30

good on you pinktulip and dp
my step dad is an alcoholic its not nice to see as he would be drinking beer as we ate our cornflakes

Surfermum · 24/09/2006 21:36

Where do you live pepperpots? You won't necessarily need to go privately. Round here there's an NHS Addiction Service that people can self-refer to. I work in the in patient unit and we've got community teams and voluntary agencies that the clients go to - none of it is private.

PinkTulips · 24/09/2006 21:37

he might not be suppotive about the drinking but surely he'd be supportive of you stopping?

tbh pepper, there is no method out there, be it AA or otherwise that doesn't effectively mean going cold turkey.

considering the health issues and the fact that you cannot stop even though you know you need to and want to would medication be an option? no idea how nhs works but afaik there are medications you can take which will prevent you being able to drink. taking into account the severity of your problem, health wise and otherwise do you think the gp could prescribe them? (like i said no idea how nhs works, maybe someone who does could tell you)

Metamorph · 24/09/2006 21:42

Hi Pepperpots. Well done for waking up and taking action.
I know exactly what you mean about AA. I started going to AlAnon online recently, and was really surprised by how goddy it seemed. Found it a bit hard to stomach. However, and many on here have said, the 12 steps have helped many people, so it must be worth a try.

Have a look at this for AA chat rooms and support. Might be a good first port of call.

Good luck.

Original poster
pepperpots · 24/09/2006 21:54

Hi thanks to you all for responses
I'm based in south wales and as far as i know there are no local alcohol self help programmes (apart from aa) in my area.
Pinktulip im not sure if my gp would be willing but it isnt going to hurt to ask.

OP posts:
3andnomore · 24/09/2006 22:50

link to .recovery.org.uk
alcohol concern website
link to several links
Here a few links you may find helpful if you didn't like the AA philosophy!
You are really strong for admitting you have a problem and trying to tackle it! It won't be easy, but with the right reasons and if you want it enough you can do this!

moondog · 24/09/2006 22:52

There's a support thread for drinkers on MN PP.Very long running.
Called 'Serious Drinkers' or something??
Maybe someone can link..?

2plus2plus1 · 24/09/2006 22:53

I would try your GP. Just because they weren't supportive of you when you refused to admitt you had a problem a year ago, doesn't mean they won't be supportive & help you with a referral now. I think they will actually be supportive that you are now admitting your problem.

3andnomore · 24/09/2006 23:01

Not sure if this is the link moondog was referring too! If it isn't I do apologize!

moondog · 24/09/2006 23:11

3,that's a good one,but there is an eralier one too.

3andnomore · 24/09/2006 23:26

I know I had seen another one, but couldn't find it.....will look tomorrow for that one! do you know which section it is in?