Hi my name is sal.. I have a big problem with alcohol addiction… I tried to stop, I go for months without drinking but once I have a small taste u go back to my old way for the day of course just drink till I can’t remember how I got home.. now I find myself in the mercy of marijuana to the point I need it every 5 hours .. I’m freaking out can u please give me some advise.. This is just half what's really going on.. even online I'm ashamed of my use.. but I have to try rite
Have you considered in-patient rehab & treatment?
I just celebrated my one year of sobriety. It has not been easy, but I had the heck scared out of me when I was diagnosed with cirrhosis, at the age of 40.
Don't be hard on yourself. This is a voyage and sometimes we fall offtrack. It doesn't mean we're weak, by any means....and you should never have to think that.
Hang in there - I think I can receive messages if you want an ear 
That is the problem with alcohol Sal, once you get into difficulty, it is very difficult to overcome it and you can go months without a drink and one slip can put you back in trouble.
You haven't mentioned what happens when you first stop drinking after a period in which you have been consuming a lot of alcohol. Do you get physical withdrawal symptoms (shakiness, restlessness or anxiety)?
Cannabis use is not a good idea either as that brings other health and social issues.
You probably need to get to the bottom of what issues are or were going on in your life to lead to this need to rely on alcohol / cannabis.
If you ever do have withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, don't stop without medical assistance, those withdrawal symptoms can be fatal in some cases.
Send me a private message if you want to talk more.
I was forced to stop drinking a year ago because of a dui I received... I used to smoke weed but stopped at 18 I like red bull hiigh, coke anything that kept me moving ... got sick so my body rejected the drugs witch was weird.. every time I would try to take some I would trow up.. but anyhow I only drank for 20 yrs to 23yrs a lot even at work.. When I stopped drinking I did not feel anything or I don't think I did, I was too busy smoking till I forgot about the drinking..I can tell u this I have not missed a day without smoking before and after work.. Once again before I sleep... if i dont get weed i start to get axious.. tend to find flaws on the people around me. I can become a nervous wreck If I miss a session .. but now with liquor making a comeback im afraid im going to loose everything.. once i drink i wont stop and ill keep looking till i pass out.. This might give u some kind of idea who I am now.. I don't know if me opening up might help me, it somewhat makes me feel less stressed but that's till I stop writing... my family doesn't see this as a medical condition, they expect me.to act a certain way when I can't mental or physically.. my ears are open what's my next step ?
I don't know if that is an option for me I am the care provider for my two kids (both under 5). Plus I'm scared I might jeopardize the custody of my kids or be harassed from a social worker.. This is the first time in my life I expose myself in this manner seeking heqlp.. if it worked for u I will take in consideration..
paul you sound a very sensible person i have been in recovery now for nearly 3yrs, you have taken the words i was going to say to salp out of my mouth good luck
Hi salp,
You have shown great courage to be so open and honest on this site, my heart goes out to you xx you must love your children very, very much but they need you healthy and happy.
are you in the USA? And if you are are there any confidential alcohol community clinics? Have you thought of seeing your doctor for depression as you must be stressed anxious every hour of the day, you need help and your own doctor may be willing to give you help and reassurance. Please try to get advice and support from someone and look after yourself as well as you possibly can.
You are in my thoughts and prayers, good luck xx Deirdre
Sal, it sounds to me like you suffer from anxiety and, rather than using harmful substances to deal with the symptoms yourself, you should see a doctor who may be able to give you some medication to help and maybe a counsellor who does anxiety management.
You can't treat it on your own with alcohol/cannabis but do a Google search on 'anxiety management self help' and you may find some resources to help you including methods of relaxation.
It may be that the drinking and smoking has led to the anxiety issue, but the treatments would be much the same anyway.
It is certainly better that you are opening up about the issues than masking them with drink or drugs.
Congrats on the long period of abstinence al5aph49 And thanks for the positive comment
So is what UR doing now working for u?
i get so angry with attitudes like ure. U beg for help then deny the help..
it's so giving into UR cravings and the fear literally of not having access to alcohol.
u know u cannot control the cravings so how r u doing with self help programs in the past?
Getting the brain out of the craving mode is by residential treatment is the only way for most.
Al...
big hugs and congratulations to u and UR family.
Scalp...
go to my first post.
my son is a alcoholic....he has lost everything messing with the I can't it's not for me excuses. He was almost killed on the streets and don't think for a minute that u will never get there. My son along with the whole family did everything to help him. He fought residential treatment.. He now is a mental case due to alcoholism a numb on the streets doing jail time and in the final stages of liver and bladder disease due to alcohol.
IS THAT WHERE UR R HEADING?
I can't accept that one way works for all Hope There are many different types of people and many different ways to deal with an acohol problem. I agree that the treatment of craving is important but there are many different ways that suit different people
Congrats on your successful period of sobriety Joetess
Jr rite.. I have been in close encounters that I don't know how I am still here. As of today I'm not gonna be anywhere around alcohol. I know it's gonna make some of my family feel bad that I won't be attending reunions but that's how it always starts. Someone gives me a drink and that's it I don't care about anyone anymore.. sounds crazy rite.. but what kind of help do I need.. I'm in los angeles ca someone said rehab but I need my job to pay rent etc. I am willing to listen to you all u said sounds very familiar..
thank you so much, still working hard but i now have a life again
Thanks for the advise I'm thinking of starting a "break" from everything and try to focus on getting away.. from both cannibas and alcohol. I'm thinking of making a doctors apt can this affect me in any way. (Work, social service, etc) I feel I can stop but I have to separate from everyone I know. This actually helps I mean the chat interaction. I have not spoken to anyone about this.
hi scalp,it sounds to me, help cant come soon enough but you must be the strong one, please take notice of what other people are saying to you,listen to paul, do you realy want to put somone you love and need (family/friends) through hurt and pain,read what hope4cure has been through, good luck
Ok Paul let's discuss all the different ways.. Drug support like Antiabuse.. And many more...out patient support.. Daily check in over nite and drug test ner fore entering ...Family support.. In house residential .24/7. Drug testing if UR in a work release program.. Counseling thru them all. 12 step programs. Undo the old life behaviors relearn behaviors believe in UR self..
many more...so to personalize any technique for a patient which one if UR experience has a better success rate?
HOPE