Alcohol Dependent

Mental health
1

I've been drinking very heavily for several months now to deal with my depression and anxiety. I wake up in the morning with tremors, nausea, dry vomiting and most times during night I can't keep my legs still.

I want to stop, wouid my GP be able to help? I really don't want to drink anymore, it's horrible, I do so out of fear of withdrawal more then out of want. If I went to my GP would he help me by prescribing something to help me withdrawn (if such a thing exists?) Or would he refer me to a community treatment centre and send me home without anything to help (which would likely force me to drink again).

I can't believe I am where I am now. Please advice. 

2

Please do not go cold turkey with alcohol its very dangerous it can lead to fits, seizures and more..

You are dependent as you are getting the shakes.

Where in the country are you? Are you in the UK? Xxx

3

Please visit your GP ASAP as sudden withdrawal from alcohol like Linda says is quite dangerous. I don't see why your GP can't prescribe you librium to help with your withdrawal symptons. You start with a high dose and then decrease daily for a week. Don't be put off going to a drug/alcohol abuse clinic. Many places have a drop in centre and don't need a gp referral first, but that depends on where you live. My advice would be to see your GP first and tell him exactly what you've said on this forum. Please don't think you're alone, by reading the discussions on this alcohol consumption, you'll soon realise you're one of many. Good luck and please keep posting. You'll get plenty of advice and support from this forum.

4

Yes, in the UK. In South London. 

5

Made an appointment with the GP, earliest I could get is Monday. I hope I am prescribed something to help, but would librium stop my withdrawl entirely or just make it more bearable? Would it help me sleep?

Thanks for the support, really appreciated xx.

6

Yes it will help you sleep. The high dosage will make you sleepy during the day as well which should take away most, if not all withdrawal symptons. This is what's known as home detox. From personal experience it does help that first week. The hardest bit comes staying sober. GP may refer you to a specialist unit known as substance abuse clinic, where you have an assessment to see how best to help you. Glad you've got GP appointment on Monday. I would try lowering the amount of alcohol intake daily, but don't stop completely.

7

Is there an organisation UNITY or CADAS or AA or Salvation Army near you.

First two you refer yourself and the other two will help you stay off.

Lifeline is another, please try them.

Your Gp will help ask for Nalfeme (Selinco- ) it takes away the craving to a good extent. As said Librium is also good, very calming xxxx

8

Nalfamee or Selinco is the drug to help you to cut your drinking by taking away alot of the craving.its a new drug but recommended by people in the know xx

9

Good response and knowledgeable.

Well done... Xxxx

10

Librium would sedate you but Selinco would help take cravings away.

Your Dr will be pleased you have gone for help. Many don't.

Xxx

11

Would Selinco be prescribed in addition to Librium? 

Or is it a case of one or the other (not both).

12

There is a discussion on selinco on radio 5 on 15th December. Paul who is a specialist in substance abuse and a very helpful member on this forum, is involved in this discussion. It should answer any questions you might have.

13

hi ozram, i was worried out feeling awfull if i gave up drinking too ,  i am 5 days in and it was only really horible for the first few days now that the shakes and all the other things are a lot better, i have been a functioning alchholic for 20 years and in all that time have been drinking every day, last few months in the mornings and 24/7 3 bottles of wine, vodca, and sometimes beer and every day, so with that amount i was so scared of how i would feel stoping for a few hours let alone a day, please try a day without and dont be scared its berable ,although i want to drink this morning ill try not to, withdrawl symtoms dont last but i guess the cravings will be with me for life,  good luck 

14

Hey I am wondering how you are doing with the drinking. I have been where you are. I really needed to go into a hospital and separate myself from everything from everyone and the alcohol for a few

. I kept drinking on my own. The only thing the gp could have given was antibuse but then it's up to the person to take it. Well I am sending you well wishes and hope you are ok. Also maybe you can get a dr to prescribe topomax. After I detox ed that helped a lot with cravings.

15

Thank you, I really appreciate you asking.

I'm doing well, I've detoxed and haven't had a drink in almost a month. Frankly, I've been tempted a few times but the mere idea of drinking again makes me feel sick.

I've also started dealing with my depression in the right way, I've managed to find a GP that really listens and involves me in my care.

I'm on Mirtazapine and Zopiclone (both of which keep me pretty sedated) and I've weaned off from Librium.

I think I'm over the biggest hurdles, I just keep myself occupied and try to avoid thinking about anything to do with alcohol or any other drugs.

I hope you're well too and that everything works out. We're better then this. Thanks again for checking up on me.

16

Well done, good advice 1 up for you.

 

17

Hi Ozram,

First of all well done for admitting you have a Alcohol Problem, as you reckonise you can't stop & have an Addiction is the first step to Recovery, I think you have some great Advice on here already, and exactly as i would have Adviced as many have on here already you cannot Just stop drinking its very Dangerous & you,d be sure to go into a full blown withdrawel & have Sezuires, There is help out there, I'm not going to say its going to be a easy road because i,d be liying & its also if your ready to quit, Its also how much you want to come off alcohol & if your really ready to lead a alcohol free life, even after withdrawing & being Alcohol free the battle starts in quitting for good, there are some great Support groups out there Ozram, Especailly in your Local area, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its "12-step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups,

Another is the The Southwark Substance Misuse Team is a team of qualified social workers who work closely with the PCT, the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and independent sector providers.

The team accepts referrals, including self-referrals, for Southwark residents aged 18 to 64 years who are experiencing problems with alcohol and want to work towards abstinence.

The team can offer advice and may be able to refer you to other services, including counselling, structured day activities and mutual aid groups.

To find out more about how the substance misuse team may be able to help you, contact them Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 020 7919 2403,

You Can also ask your Gp for Advice & treatment in your Local area,

Hope this has helped a little Ozram, & I wish you the Very Best & hope with help & Support you enjoy your new found freedom from Alcohol Addiction on the Rd to Recovery! Stay Positive & Most Importantly don't Give up :-)

18

Hi Ozram,

I,am Sorry i have just saw your otherpost to jill40814,

I'm really pleased to see you have managed to get yourself off Alcohol, Well done you! But like you says your tying to keep busy & not think about Alcohol But Unfortunely with the many reminders, Like Pubs-Clubs in London this msut be Hard for you! Hope you don't mind me asking if you,ve Involed with any Support Groups, Like the ones I've mentioned in my other post to you? if you are then thats great & my Advice would be Carry on with whats working for you & stay Positive & think about all the great Rewards being Alcohol free will bring you, Not to mention your health, more money & family & friends, which I'm sure there all Suppoting you! Butif your not in a Support group then it may be a good Idea to Join one & meet people who have been where you are & listen to there stories of what worked for them & what helped them to stay Alcohol/Drug Free, & great way of meeting new & fresh people in your life who don't need alcohol anymore, But what ever you do, I wish you the very best & remember Only take baby steps untill your stong enough to take bigger ones :-) x

19

whatever you may be given  AVOID SSRIS.  Selective Serotonin Reuptake Ihibitors (Ads)... they create alcohol cravings.  Effexor was horrific for me.  8 year suddenly focusing on alcohol, off then, the wild cravings are gone.  I have read Citalopram and Zoloft has the same effect.   

20

I agree. I used to be on Fluoxetine (Prozac) and it had some pretty dreadful side effects, the insomnia was particularly disgusting as well as a general sickly feeling.