Alcohol Problem

[Evastar]

Sorry to hear this Garry, I'm sure you are having a tough time.

As someone that works in a drug and alcohol rehab unit parttime on a voluntary basis, my advice to you would be to seek professional help.

I dont think its possible to cut down when you have an addiction, you need to give it up altogether. And I would seriously reconsider AA, yeah you mightn't like some aspects of their program, but what's the alternatives? Also they will give you a sponsor and they will become your mentor and one of the closest people in your life.

And as for CB and your son, take the right steps and it mightn't be too late.

[lagerland]

Sorry to hear about your split gaz admitting you have problem mate is the first step to recovery.Aslong as you get the right help i do drink evey day aswell but i do rest from time to time in january i didnt drink for the whole month and did notice the benefit. ie no chronic indigestion and me farmers didnt play up.Its sounds to m8 even if you can knock the drugs on head would be a great help also i dont do them myself so not really qualified to comment...

I hope things turn out ok 4 gaz take it easy m8 stiff upper lip and all that............

[gmb45]

I dont think its possible to cut down when you have an addiction.

im living proof of it as are a lot of others i know, as i have said if you have been hitting it hard for a while the only safe way is to reduce it gradually beer or drugs, if you want to stop it straight away ( alcohol ) you need to get something for the withdrawl symptoms from the docs librium is the standard treatment for alcohol withdrawl as i have said, i know what im talking about i have been in the "system" for at least 10 years now, no one can know what your going through unless they have been there, i have, knocking it on the head just like that with out help can be dangerous, i have lost count the number of hosptial admissions i have had in the past, also medically supervised detoxes ( in hospital ) i have suffered alcoholic fits, potassium levels that low ( caused by alcohol ) that one more drink could have killed me, enlarged liver/abnormal live, etc etc etc i could go on for ages, as you see i know what im on about, go to the docs get some help see what is on offer, if theres is nothing else but AA on offer go there, but if there is other less formal places to go try them first.

[Shady]

agreed , as i said before, my dad cut his down to an acceptable level.. if you place your family above your addiction of course you can cut down.

[nathan2007]

hi mate was in a similar sityuation not so long ago with the booze and mor eillkicit substances shall we say went to rehab cost money but money well spent mate was there 4 weeks felt like i have b een reborn ever since( no not found god just feel a new person) if u have the money go for it , it also shows the people around you that you are serious about facing your probs mate

if not counselling and other services help a lot pm if u need details no prob here to help

[gopher7]

Give AA a try m8, you'll have someone to tell your problems to (a sponser). You'll get advice from folk who've been in the same situation.

All the best for the future.
Gopher 7

[gizmo.1484]

Sorry to hear of your probblems m8..
Like everyone else as said it,s good that you have excepted that you have a problem and are ready to do something about it before it's too late.
The best advice i can give you is to find a local drug & alcohol treatment centre they will give you all the help that you need.
They will help you with your addiction with counselling, drugs to help with the detox and withdrawals. Just remember you are not on your own there are a lot of services out there to help you kick it.

I won't lie to you it's going to be hard at first, but i believe you can beat it as you have taken the first steps and admitted you have a problem, you just have to focus on what's important to you (cb and your son) and you will kick it. You might fall off the wagon a few times, you just need to pick yourself up and get back on.

If you need to talk get in touch...

[bobwill]

I wish I could say I know nothing about this but sadly I have a family member going through this at present but we are trying to help him. Most people who deal with alcoholics say it is worse than drugs because drugs are seen as ilegal and you have to look for them or know where to get them but booze is every where as you walk into supermarkets and a lot of petrol stations its stacked up with to cheap offers . I wish you well garry and hope you get rid of you demons and come out the other side a gentler and happier person it will be hard and you will have relapes but with help you can get through this bad time.

[gmb45]

alcohol withdrawl is a lot and i mean a lot worse then drug withdrawl and a lot more dangerous, thats why i say come off the beer slowly or do it with prescribed medication, but dont mix the 2, i tried it and it made me a lot worse.

[happy_highlander]

Gary I was in the same situation and haven't had a drink now since 13 february 2008. I'm sure you see the significance with the date. I made a promise to myself my wife and my children on that day. Well the next day when I was sober. Believe in yourself and you'll get through it mate, things do get better but I won't lie to you, it's ~~~~in hard work, get something from the doc for your stomach to stop you throwing up and push yourself through the dt's. Nobody can help you at this stage but yourself and you have taken the first step. Once you are over the worst of it you may get a surprise in the response you get from cb, you may find once she had seen the effort you are putting she may want to help you. I was a nasty ~~~~ when I was drink and will never forgive myself for some of the things I have said and done. If you need to talk mate let me know, I'm always about but remember the most IMPORTANT THING IS YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO STOP DRINKING YOU ARE STOPPING DRINKING. I never used the aa, I had a quick look around and it was all bollox. Poor me my arse, I done it to myself and only I can sort it. Just try to get on with things as normal as you can that's what worked for me mate........If you need to offload just give me a shout, if your still struggling in 8 weeks or so I'll be up visiting family so I can come over from fife and give you a kick up the arse if still think you need it......good luck and stay strong

[Evastar]

I am aware that it's dangerous to stop drinking cold turkey gmb, I told him to go for professional help, not just stop drinking on his own.

I also think its dangerous to tell people that they can cut down on their alcohol consumption and theyll be fine, yes that works for some but a very small percentage. Most people have to cut it out altogether. It's very tempting to say oh i'll be one of the few that can handle it, but the reality is he probably won't.

And yes AA aren't perfect, but it is definitely worth trying.

[happy_highlander]

It can be dangerous eva but if you have ever tried to stop drinking the supposed safe way you are onto a hiding to nothing. Trying to tell an alcoholic only to drink a couple of pints a day when they already feel like sh1t due to the pain and heartache they have caused to loved ones is like giving a heroin addict 4 syringes full but telling them they can only have one....when those dt's kick in you will do almost anything to stop them. Like I said get the pills they help with the cramps and the vomiting and look after yourself.....Biggest drawback for me was when I let myself get hungry, that made things much worse.

[Evastar]

Yes HH, the best thing he can do is go see his doctor or other professionals and get meds and advice on what help is available in his area

[garry1312]

Hi guys I just want to say WOW the support I have received from all of you is really something and really is touching.

From online support groups I have been told not to feel quilty etc but that is very hard when you have done terrible things and lost track of your family.

I have decided to go to a AA meeting tonight it is at 8PM I dont think the AA is for me but it is worth a shot hey if its not for me then theres other things out there for me.

I have kept myself busy today, even went out for a bar lunch with my mum and sister in law and ordered a latte and 2 colas. Not drank a thing today....... not going to lie still have thought about it but I wont act on it.

I think the lowering down on alcohol wont work for me I really dont, if I have alcohol there I drink it until its all gone.

Once again what a amazing bunch you are. I thought dont post this on DK what will they think? But your support has been amazing

[happy_highlander]

Good step forward that is mate getting in and out of the pub without a drink. Just remind yourself now that you've done it once you can do it again. I never stopped going to the pub except for the first 2 weeks when I was really ill. Just remember that if you do ever have a drink you haven't failed, just pick yourself up and start again