Advice - stopping drinking

Hi all

I hope somebody has some advice they can give me? I had my first appointment with a psych doc yesterday who was made a tentative diagnosis of hypomanic/depression.

However, they can't make a full diagnosis until I quit drinking.

My drinking has increased steadily over the last few years and I now drink regularly a bottle of wine a night (that's a good night).

I actually stopped drinking at the beginning of this week (completely) because I was concerned about the amount consumed, but have been referred to a Community Alcohol Support Team to 'help me cut down in order to give up'.

I'm now worried I have stopped too quickly. It's day four without a drink for me and apart from a few shaky moments (usually when I've had a strong coffee) I've suffered no real side effects.

Any advice anybody?

thank you!

Heather

Heather… Four days without a drink, that’s a long time. I know.
Congratulations.

For some of us, cutting down is a hard thing to do. After one or two drinks, I want more! And I am not alone in this.

If you have diagnosed yourself alcoholic, you may want to conceder a plan that will free you of alcohol period. I suggest Alcoholics Anonymous.

For alcoholics like myself, that was my last resort, the last thing I wanted to do, and it proved to be the one thing that got me sober..

As to quitting too soon, stopping too abruptly… after four days, most people who might have had a bad reaction, DT’s and the like, will already have had them.

Get into a recovery environment Heather. Alcohol is a subtle foe. It will chip away at your resolve and you may find yourself drinking before you know it.

Richard

Heather good for you!!!!!!!!!! 4 days and on your own at that, I remember my first 4 days. I definetly had the shakes, dry mouth, couldn't sleep. But within a week it started getting better. I agree with Richard, if you were going to have a severe reaction, you would have already. So my suggestion would be to keep riding the sobriety train!!!!

I too use Alcoholics Anonymous. Its worked for me for coming up on 2 years, a day at a time. Don't look at as forever....thats too much. Just look at it for right now. I got sober when I was 26. If I had had to think that I'd still be sober at 28, it would have been too overwhelming.

We're here for you!!!! I had a lot of medical problems they couldn't diagnose as well, and when I put down the bottle, they faded. By stopping, you'll be helping the doctors. If you ever need to talk, I'm here a lot ok? You can do it, and don't hesitate to ask for support!!!!



~Rayna

Thank you so much both!

It's been a bit of an overwhelming time so your support does mean a lot.

Very heartening to hear that any ill effects would have surfaced by now too. Tonight has been the hardest so far. My OH is away for a few days and this is the time I often turn to wine (my 'other friend')

It's so 'good' (if that's the expression) to know that there are others out there who find the thought of no drinking 'forever' too much to bear.

I know I need to quit completely (I'm an all or nothing drinker) but currently, well, mourning the loss I suppose. Trying to remain positive - but will take your advice and look up my local AA.

Thanks

Heather

p.s. still haven't managed to call myself an alcoholic yet. I think that will be a real turning point.

p.p.s

But still haven't had a drink!

The first time I said "Hi I'm Rayna and I'm an alcoholic" I cried. It doesn't bother me at all now. You're right, it is a turning point. But you're not alone. =)

<font color="purple"> ((((((( HUGS ))))))) ~ ~ ~ ~ ((((((( HUGS ))))))) </font>

Some times one must start to heal the inner pain that one is using drinking to numb before they can stop the negative behavior - the drug of choice, that which one uses to not feel (sex, drinking, food, drugs, work, sports, shopping, etc).

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Heather, When we quit drinking, it’s like losing an old friend. And when we suffer a loss of that magnitude, we grieve.

The five stages of grief are:

1-Denial-"this can't be happening to me", I’m not really an alcoholic.

2-Anger-"why me?", Other people I know can still drink, why can’t I drink without experiencing all those unfortunate things that keep happening to me?

3-Bargaining- Attempting to make deals with booze, just one or two tonight, I know I can do this. If I don’t drink tonight, It will be OK to drink tomorrow.

4-Depression-overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, self pity, mourning loss of choice over alcohol consumption Realizing our lack of control, feeling numb. Perhaps feeling suicidal.

5-Acceptance-there is a difference between resignation and acceptance. You have to accept your alcoholism, not just try to bear it quietly. Finding the good that can come out of that acceptance, finding comfort and healing. Our goals turn toward personal growth.

For us, quitting drinking, is a little like suffering with the death of a loved one. It’s a process from denial to acceptance. You would do well to find an AA meeting. The people in that room get it. They like you understand the desperate relationship we build with alcohol, and more importantly, they have passed through that hard place you find yourself in, that Hole, and they can show you how they did it.

Keep coming back, that is what they told me to do.

Richard

Heather,

Congratulations on making it 5? days on your own. The others are right - any nasty withdrawl would have happenned by now. Quitting isn't easy - I only have 50 days of sobriety but it is worth it. Do give AA a chance they've been a lifeline for me. And don't stress yourself out thinking about the future - not even tomorrow, just focus on not taking a drink today.

Good luck.

--splitimage

Thanks all - have found out there's an AA meeting in my town. Am going to ring to get details.

Thanks so much for the push in the right direction.

I had my last drink on Sunday just gone, so today is day 6. Not that I'm counting!!! LOL! (oh, the lies, the lies!)

Oh count those days like there's no tomorrow!!!! And remember, never say "only". This goes for you and splitimage as well. Never say "I only have this many days".....because those days that you have are a huge accomplishment, and there's always someone with less days going "wow ok, they made it 6 days, or 50 days". I've taken the word "only" out of my vocabulary when referring to my sober time. We all just have today anyway! Who ever woke up first has more sobriety......

Hi all

Just wanted to pop in and chew the cud. Have gone since 5 March without a drink, which is beginning to get a little easier.

Today has been hard though - lovely sunny day, lit the barbeque - just wanted a glass of chilled white to complete the picture. But there was no way I was going to.

A great side effect of quitting drinking - I'm losing weight as well as feeling much, much healthier!

Congrats on not drinking--you're doing great! I too lost weight when I quit--almost 25 lbs--it just slowly started coming off and has not come back. I love my sobriety and consider it one of the best things to ever happen to me. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yay!! So good to hear from you Hetfinch!!! I lost a ton of weight too, alcohol is full of carbs and sugar!

It is wonderful to be able to wake up and not worry about a) damage to relationships/friendships from what I might have said when drunk and b) the state of my liver.

Psychologically, I feel so much better -a whole load of worry has been lifted.

Hurrah to being sober!

I am so glad you are excited about being sober--its good for me to come on here and read it. Keep posting!

I agree!!! Its so wonderful that we can all love being sober together!!!!

I get to wake up and get a dose of sobriety when you guys post and I LOVE it!!!!!!!!

Yeah, sometimes when we get a lull in the posting here in this forum, I think about posting just to hear people talk about recovery. I am thrilled when I check out this forum and people are talking about sobriety. It really helps me stay in the right frame of mind.

Lets vow to keep this forum active then, yes?

Okay! Works for me! Lets keep it going.

Deal!!!!!!!!!!!!