Kind of new to this

I have sort of unique situation, i have been on my own since i was 14, i met some people and tried heroin, actually was a speedball (heroin+cocaine) in a needle, and ive been infected ever since, i am 23 years old right now, but since then and up to this day i have been drinking heavily non stop every single day, i got off the streets and got a job about over a year and a half ago, i work 3-11 so i would drinking still every night up till 7am, i have no health care, i used to goto a doctor at a drop in center for homeless youth, just recently my kidneys seem to be hurting, im not sure if its my liver also, also lots of pains in my stomach, i tried quitting but lasted only 4 days, i dont know what to do.

Hi, Blatz, and welcome to the forum. You are not unique. I've done many of the things you've done and was infected with Hepatitis C. You say you are infected, but don't say with what. Is it hep C or B?

You absolutely must stop drinking. It sounds as though you need a detox facility. These are usually free. You need to find a detox facility in your city or county. You can start by calling Alcoholics Anonymous (look in the white pages.) They would know of a detox facility for you. Sometimes there is a wait, or you have to just show up every morning and hope they have a bed. You also need a 12-step program. However, you need to have the alcohol out of your system to really understand what is going on. I would advise your detoxing first and foremost, even before you find out exactly the state of your health. Because if you continue drinking, there is really nothing medically that can be done for you. In fact, doctors won't show much interest in treating you if you are still drinking.

You are very young and can very likely turn around any damage you've done to your liver thus far. If you have hep C, you can be treated. Yes, you would have to take some time off from work, at least to detox...but your life is at stake. You won't be able to work if you continue drinking and your health gets bad. I sobered up 25 yrs. ago...and it was my first priority. I worked temp jobs for a year and rented a room in someone's house for low rent during that time. I made sure that nothing interfered with my once-a-day meetings. And one day at a time I built a new life. (Note my siggy.)

Hugs,
Connie

Blatz...what has to change? Everything! You will have to give up your (drinking/using) playmates and places where you drink. But first--detox. Once you get into recovery, you really will not want to be around people who are drinking/using or those environments.

Have you received any treatment for your hep C?

Hugs,
Connie

One thing at a time, David, and first things first: Detox.

Cigarettes were THE most difficult addiction for me to break. It took several tries, but the last time worked. It's been 9 yrs. nicotine free now....but I'd been sober a long time prior to that.

Hugs,
Connie

oh and congratulations on the progress you have made... you have a job... that's a start.. keep movin forward inch by inch... eventually it will be a foot then a mile... keep goin girl... you can do it... Sandia

Billy,

  You can live a very happy and long life, even with Hep C....IF you start taking care of yourself now.  Detox, start working on making a healthy lifestyle for yourself.  We care about what happens to you.

  My hubby, age 65 lived with Hep C a long time, but partially because he took care of himself, ate healthy and was able to say "No thanks" when his friends offered him alcohol.  He just would say, "I'm trying to save what little liver I have left,"  and would laugh and order ice tea or fake beer.  Don't know if that will work with you and your friends, but No One is going to care about your health Like You. 

  You are way too young to drink yourself to death. And it is a very hard and miserable way to die.  Please find a detox and get there.  Congratulations for the job and getting off the street.   There are those here that have dealt with the quit drinking issue.  They will help give you words of wisdom on that issue.

 Have a good week, Billy

Angie1953

Billy , I agree with Connie about sobriety being first but trying to get sober in a environment that invites temptations will never work . I'm guessing your financial situation isn't going to allow a in house drug treatment program . Can you find a alternative living situation that will allow you to keep away from old friends and activities while giving sobriety a fighting chance ? Laying a little ground work to getting clean can help prevent slip ups after you seek counseling for your addiction . AA could be a great source to find a housing situation that might be conducive to sobriety .

You have to make the first steps to get yourself outta the hole your currently in and seeking info here is just a foot in a mile long journey , Real effort beyond a finger stroke to a keyboard will determine how successful you will be . I never envisioned a life without alcohol , Roughly 30 years of drinking and light drug use ended in a estimated 85% of my liver being damaged beyond repair . You may not be anywhere near that point at this moment but don't push your luck either . Hope all goes well for you .


A. Ziffle

"...trying to get sober in a environment that invites temptations will never work."

Amen to that. I mentioned that I rented a room in someone's house that first year. Well, the landlord (who lived there) and the 2 other roomers drank alcoholically. So I would keep to my room and to myself. I'd stay busy with work and then go back to my room and read a Stephen King novel. I used the kitchen's fridge and microwave, but otherwise kept to myself. And there was always beer in the fridge and booze on the counter, but I'd get away from it as fast as possible and not fixate on it. On days I wasn't working I would go to the closest AA club and talk with others, work puzzles, etc. I felt safe there. You just have to be really committed to getting and staying sober.

Hugs,
Connie