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Posted 10/17/2006 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Basically I've been drinking to calm me down but seen as I've had this problem for so long I have also been drinking a lot for along time and I know I've got a problem. Is this a common problem?

Don't go for my initial assesment until 30th Oct but I am gonna tell them as I want to sort this out as I'ts making me ill now and I'm worried.

Will the doc tell me to subsitute the alcohol for a prescribed medication or will I be treated for being an alcoholic?

Am thinking about attending an AA meeting in the meantime.

Any thoughts , advice , shared experiences welcome

sad   sad sad

Posted 10/17/2006 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Please do get the help you need. Alcohol is not the answer and def not a good way to "treat" anxiety. It makes things worse. I know there are others who will chime in on this. Good luck.
Posted 10/17/2006 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
I've never been to an AA meeting and I'm not sure it will help you but you can always try it and see how it goes. Definately talk to the doctor about it. I used to drink a bit but I have crohn's disease and IBS and I had to quit drinking as it makes me pretty sick. I find it's easier to cut back rather than stop cold turkey but we are all different. You will need to see if any meds you are on can be affected by alcohol. Good luck on the 30th.
Posted 10/17/2006 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Drinking is not the answer. I no longer drink now and have since quit because of my anxiety and the meds.

I hope you do go to A.A. I used to go to A.A. meetings myself and they seemed to help quite a bit.

Twiggygal~
Posted 10/17/2006 7:07 PM (GMT 0)

Hi There

Drinking really isn't the answer, it just makes anxiety worse later on. I think if you explain to your doctor that you drink due to anxiety, he/she will treat you for both problems.

AA may help with the drinking, but I doubt it will help your anxiety, that needs to be addressed by your GP. I wish you all the luck and support you need to get back on track.

Judy smurf

Posted 10/18/2006 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and Welcome I am a sober alcoholic since 1979 and I still am self proclaimed alcoholic
I will have one drink on my anniversary thats it thats all
You sound like you have a severe problem with alcohol and that does need to be addressed in my opinion
I cannot and will not call you an alcoholic that is your decision whether you are or not
but.........
has alcohol ruined your life made you lose friends family
jobs ect ect
Fixer................
AA is not just losers and personally fixer I do resent that comment
It is where ppl go for support and hear others stories does that make them losers???
I was in AA for well over 2 yrs and still am close to my sponser I know I am not a Loser
This as you might tell has struck a chord with me..enough said


Smiler I am sure you will be tx for the alcohol and for the A/P and not all pps get addicted to meds .......
many pps have to take meds and there is no shame
You my friend have taken the first step and I want to congratualte you and tell you I am proud of you
My msn is under name please add me to your msn if you would like maybe we could chat more about this
Please be proud that you are seeking help
know we are here for you and will be
You be well and take care
Lyn
Posted 10/18/2006 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Fixie: Your comment;

" A.A can be helpful if you don't mind listening to other losers stories regarding the bottle. "

I do not appreciate that at all whatsoever. I was apart of the A.A. program and I am friends with many sober people.

They are not losers for going to A.A. meetings and neither am I.

A support system is not being a "loser" when you have people you can talk to about your addiction, it's the same as come to this forum and talking about our problems with A/P.

Twiggygal~
Posted 10/18/2006 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thankyou to everyone for your input and support - I will be sure to let you all know how I'm getting on.
A big ((((((((HUG)))))))) to you all.

Fixie - there is no such thing as a loser , only people who are struggling to win. Everyone has a right to tell their story.
If AA is not for you , so be it , but I don't think you have the right to judge other people and how they deal with and overcome their problems.

Thanks again - I'm in a really positive frame of mind coz of you all.

Smiler :)
Posted 10/18/2006 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Totally right in all you say we are not losers AA peeps are not losers they saved my life literally in 1979
They help so many ppl and as I said it is a support group and stories are told for inspiration .......guidance and the belief your life can and will change
Lyn

Please I do not want this to turn into an argumentative thread or any more negativity or Flaming of AA and what it can and has done

I and those that have been helped do know it works for some but obviously not all
I wish you all the best hun and proud of you for thinking about doing this

Lyn

If there is a fight or arguing I will ask to have thread locked okay so lets keep it positive and on the same road

Lyn 

Again if you need to talk please add me to your msn

I have yrs of experience that may be useful to you or others in same position

Posted 10/18/2006 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Ok peeps, feet off the pedals and a few deep breaths.

Any treatment, therapy, councelling, etc. will have extreme opinions, for and against.

Mine is that if they help just one person they are worthwhile, and every possibility should be tried with an open mind. What you take away from something usually depends how you go into it and what you put into it.

The reason some things don't work for some people is usually because they don't want it to.  These are the only real losers in life.

Smiler,(good name BTW) if you drink heavily, standard detox procedure here in UK starts with a short course of Librium or Valium. They will to help you feel relaxed and minimize most of the withdrawal symptoms. They also reduce the risk of seizures and help you get a decent nights sleep.   This could then be followed by a reduced dosage for your anxiety. 

Hope this helps.

Lyn, I'm hoping to get msn sorted later today.

Posted 10/18/2006 1:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Smiler

Welcome to HW were all happy you have came to us for advise and support. Like already said you have taken the first step to recovery and any kind of help is better then no help at all. We do hope your doing better soon and please post as often as you can to keep us updated on how you are doing. You will meet a lot of careing and supportave friends here at HW and hope to see your post here again soon. Your doing great yeah

Posted 10/19/2006 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
Great input Jethro and glad you will have the MSN up
I believe they do that here as well to detox from alcohol
I know they did with me many moons ago
We are with you all the way on this hun
Take care and be well
Lyn
Posted 10/22/2006 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Do you know if I'd have to go in to detox in the UK as I have a five tear old to look after and I couldn't bear the thought of her going into care not even for a short while confused

Posted 10/23/2006 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Smiler, I battled with alcohol for many years and have been to de-tox and re-hab.  In australia if you do have to go through a de-tox program it only last's about five days.  If you go into re-hab you can go to a place that allows your child to be with you once you have de-toxed.  Bear in mind also that you may not be an alcoholic.  You are just self-medicating.  Once I learnt how to deal with my anxiety WITHOUT alcohol I realised I could drink sensibly and enjoy it.  I would certainly reccomend that you don't drink for a few months and see how things go.  If you are an alcoholic then there are a lot of people who can help you.  Best of luck and keep us posted.  ((((Hugs))))

Posted 10/23/2006 8:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi smiler, no you don't have to go in for detox.  Your GP can prescribe the treatment(if necessary) if you tell him/her your problem. There are also drop-in centres but you can do it on your own if you wish.

If you are using alcohol purely as medication you should have no problems, and prescribed medication will work out a lot cheaper and more effective. 

For more information in your area try http://www.adsis.org.uk

If you prefer you can email me, my address is in my profile.

Posted 10/23/2006 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Jethro thanks for your great input as always
Take care

Smiler hoping all is getting better for you hun really do ..........
Keep us posted
be strong and and know you are cared about here
Posted 10/24/2006 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thinking of you
Lyn
Posted 10/24/2006 4:16 PM (GMT 0)

Thankyou ((((HUGS))))

not long now until my initial assesment - six days , will let you know how it goes.

I will keep trying to post something every day. I love just reading the posts , I really like the Happy Thread - it's a great idea , it makes me stop and think and I always go away with a smile on my face.

It's great to know your all there yeah

Posted 10/24/2006 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi smiler, ive read this thread many times, and i guess i just kept quiet, i have an ex who is still an active alcoholic, and its so hard no matter what. I hope all goes well.......Im glad we have the happy thread too, it will always make ya feel better.
Take care and best of luck, god bless
shell
Posted 10/26/2006 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there smiler and let us know how it goes.  :-)
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