hi im 33 and have a problem with binge drinking ive lost my wife and kids through it and would like some advice on stopping drinking ive tried limitting myself but it just doesent seem to work ounce i start i just cant stop myself i
was wondering if there is any advice how to stop all together thanks.
Stephen, I tried to stop dead last year, and it nearly killed me. ( didn't know it was dangerous to stop at once, and didnt understand the symptoms, so was using my heart and painkiller meds.). now i'm tailoring down over a period of a few weeks to alleviate any withdrawl effects. Have you tried coming off slowly ??. Keep in touch, If i can do it, anyone can !!, cheers, howard.
Oh Stephen, my heart ached for you when I read your mail. How sad that you have lost your loved ones. That's the evil of drink.....alcohol is great in it's place, but it is a nightmare when it gets hold of you and rules your life. I cannot give you any advice on how to stop, but there are so many people on here who can. I am a habitual drinker, every night, and I am trying to find the strength to do something about it.
Good luck.....you are young, you have all your life in front of you....don't waste it on the demon drink.
One word. Nalmefene. Google it Stephen and, if you need any more advice, send me a private message.
Hello Stephen
I will try to give advice from a personal level and it may not be suitable for you, but I do feel that we have something in common: I did not want to loose my family and wanted respect two years ago and completely stopped drinking and it has worked. It is never too late if you stop this year and gradually gain back your family through respect. However, it is not going to be easy and you need advice from professionals or people around you who understand you and wish to help. You will find good advice and help in this discussion board and I wish you best of luck.
Hi Paul, I just wanted to ask you if you used Nalmefene? I have Googled it and I wonder if it might be right for me. I don't feel ready to abstain, but I would like to cut down on the amount I drink every evening. Thanking you in anticipation.
Hi I just want to say thank you for your comments I have been to the doctor who is referring me to the alcohol team so I will discuss nalmefene with them and see what they say
Hello Patricia. No, I am fortunate enough never to have gotten in ttrouble with alcohol, myself. I am an independent alcohol treatment practitioner.
If you want to cut down your drinking, Nalmefene woukd be a very good way to do that. The issue is that it isn't always easy to get a GP to prescribe it due to its cost and the recommendation that psycho-social support is given alongside it. Many areas don't have the resources put into alcohol services to allow them to offer that support.
I would certainly ask your GP about it though.
Thank you, Paul. I think I will approach my GP, although I find it hard to admit to anyone, other than on here, that I have a problem. I also wondered if you knew if my private health insurance would cover something like this. I am on Venlafaxine too, I have trouble with depression and anxiety.....would this exempt me from using Nalmefene? I just feel so lost and unsure about everything. I am frightened. I don't know which way to turn. I wonder if I should just go on as I am, I only drink after 8pm, never during the day. I am sorry to burden you, I just seem to be a waste of space. Thank you for listening.
Patricia. Venlafaxine does not interact badly with Nalmefene so no worries there. In fact the worst reaction at the moment is the alcohol, which is a depressant so will be cancelling out the effect of the Venlafaxine.
Alcohol causes anxiety and depression, any reduction of your drinking is good for anxiety and depression.
I am not sure if your health insurance would cover the costs. You would need to check to see conditions it covers and if any particular conditions are excluded.
You are NOT a waste of space, at all. Please don't think that you are
Hi,
please se read my reply to Stasy.
thank you.
Hope4Cure.
Hi stephen sorry to hear that you lost you loved ones due to alcohol. having been an alcoholic for 20 years i went through similar losses. my advice to you would be to see an alcohol support worker, get counselling and do CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). get in touch with a community drug and alcohol worker who will refer you to their doctor who specialises in giving you medication that will help you with the craving (Acamprosate). if you are given acamprosate i must stress that they are not a magic wand, and that you must continue to take them for at least two to three months. i took them for years and thought they were no good to me until i started taking them for a longer period of time. the urge to pick up that drink is decreased. i also take disulfiram (antabuse) which has been a life saver for me, giving me no option to drink. stephen have look up on the net about these medicines and also baclofen which helps you relax. by taking these i have been alcohol free for 15 months. i have not found anything else that works. i am not saying they will work for you, we are all different. you need to distract yourself when the temptation to drink arises. pick up the phone do some house work , exercise, join a support group. i know when i wanted that drink nothing would stop me. antabuse stopped me right in my tracks. have a word with a support worker or social worker and they will refer you to the right people. i hope this has helped. stay strong stephen you will get there, it will be hard but it will be worthwile.
ps stephen, dont try to do everything at once ,just one step at a time.
thank you very much for your advice i will look in to it
Hi Paul I had drink problem in the past last drink I had was 2009 but 2weeks ago I had bad cold thought the odd drink to chill me out wouldn't hurt ha more fool me, next thing I was drinking at breakfast and I stopped last night but getting not too bad symptoms shakes sweating etc I found some Librium from my last detox but have only got few pills that won't last my question is does 2 weeks drinking mean I need to see a Dr or could I tough it out as I don't want this relapse on my medical records thanks.
Hello Frub,
I have to be responsible here, as a qualified nurse, in my answer to you.
It is 5 years since that Librium was presecribed for you. It is likely to be past its expiry date. It is also 5 years since you were examined and that Librium was deemed appropriate for you. You can't use that Librium and you shouldn't take any Librium without being checked out and having it prescribed again, IF the person prescribing it, considers it appropriate for you.
It is dangerous, however, for you to try and get through alcohol withdrawal without any medical support. The shakes can result in seizures which can be seriously dangerous and even fatal.
The only sensible answer I can give to you is for you drink what you need to, to stop the withdrawal symptoms, until you can see your GP and ask for a new detox prescription. Hopefully, you will still be able to get one, as there are many GPs who simply refer you to the local alcohol service and some of those don't offer detox or, if they do, you have to wait weeks.
The other option you have is to ask for Nalmefene. With that, you can drink and your drinking will decrease without you really having to try. Google 'nalmefene' for more information on that. Unfortunately, because of the cost of this drug, it is a postcode lottery whether you can get it in your area.
Don't worry about this being on your medical records. It is confidential most of the time. The only time that gets complicated is if you need a doctor's report for a job and the form for the report includes 'has the patient ever been dependent on drugs or alcohol?' Only you will know if that is an issue for you.
The only other option is a private detox, but that is always about having the ability to pay. It would be kept off your medical records though.
Many thanks for your reply most appreciated,it just that as I was only drinking for short period thought withdrawal would be moderate
,just for info the Librium has worked most powdered capsules have a shelf life of approx 15 years I was trying to make them last till Monday,then see Dr
Again thanks
Alcohol withdrawal is normally complete after 3 days. It is more comfortable to come down slowly off the Librium, so 7 days detox is normally done.
Your are doing well and taking it seriously. Well done and you seem to carry on and not giving up is great. Seeing your Doctor is also a brilliant idea. Have a great Sunday!!
Just thought I'd give you a sit rep the sweats tremors palms hit me hard took 20 mg took an over an hour to kick in properly couldn't sit still walking round the house like I was on fire eventually calmed down I waited till started trembling badly then had another ten very rough night so am ekeing them out stayed in bed all day yesterday took another 5 mg about 5 this morning although I feel like a cadaver with mega hangover I am shaky and sickly but have one pill left and surprisingly haven't really felt the need to use it,am I out of the woods or is it going to come back and bite me later cheers