Hi all, I'm new to this particular forum and thought I would introduce myself. I've posted a few times in the Sertraline section but I've recently reached a kind of breaking point with my drinking.
A bit of backgroung first. I've been drinking every night for about 3-4 years (not great with dates). It started off as a bottle of wine a night, then a load of beer, then not so much, then more, then not so much and... You know how it goes.
Recently (in the last week) I've cut it down to 4 little bottles of beer per night (330ml, 5% stuff). I've tried to taper off before, with little success, but this time after seeing a counsellor and really exploring why I drink I feel better equipped mentally to follow through with this idea.
My problem is this... Obviously the thought of the potential withdrawal is paralysingly frightening (as it has been for most of you, I'm guessing), and because of my severe anxiety I am super aware of every little thing my body feels. It's hard for me to distinguish between anxiety symptoms, and withdrawal symptoms. For example: shakiness, headaches, confusion and general 'out of it' feelings...
I don't want to just say to myself 'oh it's just anxiety, I have nothing to worry about' (WHICH IS WHAT IVE BEEN TRAINING MY MIND TO DO) if the symptoms COULD be signs of severe withdrawal. Has anyone on here ever dealt with this combination of things?
I don't really know what I was hoping to accomplish from this post (my minds a little scrambled right now). I think I just need this forum as a distraction and for some hope right now.
Hey Pink, Im new here as well! Let me tell you that I too have serious anxiety, I'm a worry wart about everything.
Do you have tremors? I have anxiety but my hands and body don't flap like an alcoholic having withdrawl. Youtube search "Alcohol Withdrawl Tremors" you'll see exactly what they are talking about. If you notice anything likke that happening contact a hospital, or if youre really concerned im positive that there is a government funded detox somewhere in your Country, which will HAPPILY take you through those few days for a safe detox to get your right! Cheers!! Happy you're quitting.
LOVE YOUR NAME!! Wish I had thought of it!! Joel replies really well and I will join him and agree that these are worring times and DO see your GP if you have the courage to be 100% honest and perhaps take medication IF you feel really really bad and stressed about it. I have no experience in medication since I never took any when I stopped but most people her have lots of experience and can give much better advice than myself. I also think that you are controlling your drinking much better and that is great. I wait to hear what your plans are but more people will reply later today when they wake up! Best of luck from Robin
I am also trying to stop without medication and am interested on how you did it and how long it took? So far I have cut out vodka and am just drinking wine. My plan is to have 3 glasses of wine (3 x 187ml bottles) per night this week then reduce by 1 the following weeks until I'm down to none. Do you think this is achievable? I never really get DT's, maybe once in a blue moon, and when I've stopped before for 3-4 days I've felt fine, it was just the craving kicked in. Any advice would be appreciated!
Hi mate. For the last year it has varied between 3 and 5 pints of 4/5% lager every night. Not a huuuge amount but still... I'm now on day 4 of my taper (having 3 little bottles tonight).
Tomorrow and the next day it will. be 2 bottles, then 1, then none.
Thanks for your reply joel. It's always good to.hear from someone else who suffers with anxiety.
I wouldn't say I have tremors as such, I haven't watched the video yet though. There is a slight trembling in my hands but nothing major. I've always had unsteady hands anyway haha.
Unfortunately I'm.not good at taking pills and.i can't afford to take time off work.
Hi Robin. I have mentioned my drinking to my doctors several times over the last 4 months, and I was pretty honest with them (always have been). Their advice was simply to cut down. So surely they wouldn't have said that if they felt I was in danger of the more serious withdrawals? I don't know.
I think a lot of it is my anxiety exacerbating the withdrawal symptoms, as they are kinda interchangeable. Especially since I have panic disorder, I get physical symptoms all the time.
Thanks for.your reply Robin, hope you're doing well
i couldn't tell you much about withdrawls. but i can tell you i've seen many others go through it. it must be very confusing not knowing if its anxiety or what. and you are working!? thats amazing. shine on you crazy diamond. i hope people here can help you and give you some kind of relief with their expiriences and advice. one thing i can tell you. you are going in the right direction. good luck and god bless!
'So surely they wouldn't have said that if they felt I was in danger of the more serious withdrawals?'
GPs don't have much interest in people with alcohol problems, they see it as a lack of willpower rather than a disease. So don't take it as read that because your GP has dimissed it, that he has analysed you for withdrawal risk.
However, you are drinking about 2.5 pints a night, which should not cause you any problems.
Be aware that SSRIs can add to alcohol issues, conversely, they actually help some reduce their drinking. It really depends on the gene type.
So, taking the high number and assuming 4% ABV, that would be about 80 UK units of alcohol per week or about 56 US units. 5% ABV would be another 25% on top of those numbers.
You might be taking it down a bit fast, maybe start dropping a half pint every other day. When you've tapered in the past and gone back to drinking, did you end up drinking more than before?
How long have you been taking the Sertraline, btw?
Are you working the mindful aspect? I'm 17 weeks in and going between 2.5 - 4 per night. Having a sip then keeping it out of my hand (better yet, out of sight) really helps me stretch them out.