Miner,

I was an alcoholic for years. I did quit on my own eventually, but I really really desperately wanted and needed it, for the sake of my children and my own life. Detoxing alone was hard as hell. I had delirium tremors, something I was not prepared for. I do think people can do it on their own, but you have to want it bad enough to succeed, like your life depends on it.

I have to agree with your dr's and the connection between bipolar meds, alcohol, and a possible death sentence. My father also was Bipolar I, and an alcoholic. This played out like a long painful suicide in my opinion. It eventually killed him at age 55. Far to young, he did die directly from alcohol consumption combined with his medications. It's hard for me to talk about this or accept it. He left three daughters behind and grandchildren he never got to know. He never did get to fix his relationships with us. And I have a very hard time admittedly forgiving him for this.

This is serious business. I don't want to sound so serious but alcohol destroys lives. I really don't want you to suffer more, I hate to sound like a lecturer but we all care about you here. You're still young and have your whole life ahead of you. Sobriety has been the biggest best gift I have ever received. There isn't enough words to explain how sobriety has impacted my life for the better. I consider myself lucky to be alive, having numerous close calls myself from alcohol consumption that landed me in the hospital. And that still wasn't enough for me to quit. I wont get into the gruesome details here of why I finally did quit.

I guess I'm trying to say that sometimes our alcohol addictions are bigger than we realize, sometimes we do need extra help to overcome them longterm. Just know that you have the love and support from us here however you decide to tackle this. I will support you 100% in this because I know there is something better waiting for you.

Ok done my lecturing now. You know I care. Let us know how things are going ok?