[valfor]

Today is the day I need to quit drinking alcohol, it upsets my hubby very much even tho he drinks. I have a 13 yr old son who also doesn't need to see his mom drink. I am so embarresed by all this, I should know better.

I do not drink everyday probably more in the summer than winter, it is social occasions where I drink and get drunk. I drink on my own and didn't see a problem with it, my hubby thinks it's terrible that I can watch T.V and drink all by myself. My problem is when I start I don't want to stop until it's all gone and on occasions have had black outs.

The hard part is our social circle ..like most DRINK, who do I hang with? My life would be lonely I would have to find new friends to hang with. My hubby likes to have a drink and drinking makes it more fun when were socializing, otherwise it's hard to sit with people who drink and I don't, I get bored with there company, why does it have to be so hard. I am a binge drinker and need to stop...thanks I feel a little better on admitting my problem again.

Now my question is, do the medications work to help you stop? I am so scared that by just quitting on my own won't work, and I am even embaressed to talk with my Dr. who I have known a long time and never admitted that I drink like I do, I lied and always told her, that I don't drink very much. My youngest brother died last September from Chirrosis of the liver..alcohol related so what the "F" am I doing? I am so frusterated right now, I feel guilty, shameful, remorseful you name it I feel like it. I just need help.

[splitimage]

As a first step I'd suggest talking to your Dr., don't worry about being embarrassed or ashamed, your Dr. will have heard it all before. You may find treatment helpful to get you stopped and a period of sobriety. I know I needed it. There are both residential and outpatient treatment options available. Another good reason to talk to your Dr. is detoxing. Be totally honest with your Dr. about how much and how often you drink. If you are a daily drinker, you may be physically dependant on alcohol, and detox can be risky and includes the risk of seizures, but there are medications that can help reduce the risk of detox.

You should also consider AA. I go to AA and find it incredibly helpful, it's a good place to get support and meet new sober people.

There are a couple of drugs that help with alcohol cravings. They are Campral (Accamprosate) and Revia (Naltrexone) but they're both expensive so unless you have private drug coverage, they may be out of reach, although they're both still cheaper than drinking.

Quitting is really hard, but living sober is much better.

--splitimage

[madisgram]

this article may help valfor:
Question: What Are the Different Types of Alcohol Problems?
Answer: It is important to note that alcohol problems occur along a continuum of severity. The term alcoholism usually refers to alcohol abuse or dependence. Alcohol dependence is the most severe alcohol problem and typically consists of at least three of seven symptoms experienced within one year. These symptoms include repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or cut down, need for increased amounts of alcohol (tolerance), or symptoms of withdrawal upon cessation of drinking (physical dependence)....
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/faq/f/prob_faq2.htm
another one is a quiz to determine how severe your drinking is:
www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov

as for some of the aspects of prevention included is eliminating our participation with ppl, places, and things that pertain to alcohol. my life is incredibly wonderful since i stopped drinking quite some time ago. AA was the answer for me.
feel free to pm me if you wish.

[notz]

Quitting is really hard, but living sober is much better. ~SplitImage

(((((((Valfor)))))))

Good luck with this, valfor. You are in my thoughts.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by valfor

it's hard to sit with people who drink and I don't, I get bored with there company

Since you sit and drink alone while watching TV, sounds like you might have some self esteem issues too; are drinking to keep from being "bored" because you are unsure of what else to do? Being truly involved with other activities and people is hard to do and you may feel you cannot do that by yourself either. I would maybe join a group that isn't drinking, AA or something like that, and see how that goes. I would maybe think of a hobby to try too, so you aren't sitting and watching TV as much. I know I do better with binge drinking and overeating if I don't buy as much liquor and wait a long time between when it runs out and the next I buy, etc.

[valfor]

Originally Posted by Perna

Since you sit and drink alone while watching TV, sounds like you might have some self esteem issues too; are drinking to keep from being "bored" because you are unsure of what else to do? Being truly involved with other activities and people is hard to do and you may feel you cannot do that by yourself either. I would maybe join a group that isn't drinking, AA or something like that, and see how that goes. I would maybe think of a hobby to try too, so you aren't sitting and watching TV as much. I know I do better with binge drinking and overeating if I don't buy as much liquor and wait a long time between when it runs out and the next I buy, etc.

I totally agree Perna I do have some issues that I have to deal with but they are issues that are out of my control...mainly the loss of my 2 children so you see it also goes much deeper...they are alive but were taken by ther father and am learning to deal with it...I also suffer PTSD so the loss of interest in stuff I used to enjoy are so hard to get back because of lack of energy due also to peri-menopause...I feel so messed up and hate this cycle of abusing myself, I guess I figure I deserve it ...I am not sure. I have all sorts of sympathy from my friends as they take there sip of there drink telling me how sorry they are.I do need to join a group of A.A members and make new friends thanks for sharing your thoughts I do appreciate them.

[madisgram]

"I do need to join a group of A.A members and make new friends ..."

now put that thought into action-AA. it will help and you will find support there. please keep us posted. we care.

[cheeri]

There is a group called SOS that uses a more cognitive approach than AA. I recommend checking out both. Link below should provide some direction to finding a local group. Good luck!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular...s_for_Sobriety