Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
Hello everyone,
I am a 29yr old woman with a severe alcohol addiction who has just been informed by an E.R. doctor that if I don't stop drinking, I will be "on a transplant list soon and dead in 2 years".
I am ready to stop. I am so scared and so ashamed of what I've done to myself.
Stats: I usually drink anywhere from a liter to a liter and a half of wine everyday, all day. Sometimes I have shots of vodka too.
I have been drinking since I was 18, but it's been so much more out of control since I was 25.
The effects that brought me to the E.R. include:
I have lost close to 100 lbs over the past 2years without trying
No appetite because I drink too much
The whites of my eyes have began to yellow at the bases
My skin is super thin
When I bruise or get cut it takes me so much longer to heal than it should
Extreme depression and anxiety
Thinning of my hair
All of these are due to my diminished liver function...
The doctor said I have a small window of opportunity to turn this around, but I need to stop now.
Now, I can't go cold turkey as I am waaaay too afraid of extreme withdrawal.
I also don't want to use a benzoid-based detox program...they gave me Librium at the E.R. and I couldn't take the side-effects.
I want to taper at home and I'm just looking for some advice...maybe someone has even done this before?
I found this article http://mnalternatives.com/how-taper-off-alcohol.html and was going to attempt to follow this schedule.
Also, I have a dr. apt. on Nov. 5, and I thought that if I could finish this taper before my apt. it would be better than if I did nothing productive for the next 4 days...I'm just so scared to not try to make some sort of progress...I mean, what does "soon" mean? To me, it means NOW.
I am on day one of my taper today...so far so good, I was just hoping to get some different insights maybe....
Thanks for any help!
I am a 29yr old woman with a severe alcohol addiction who has just been informed by an E.R. doctor that if I don't stop drinking, I will be "on a transplant list soon and dead in 2 years".
I am ready to stop. I am so scared and so ashamed of what I've done to myself.
Stats: I usually drink anywhere from a liter to a liter and a half of wine everyday, all day. Sometimes I have shots of vodka too.
I have been drinking since I was 18, but it's been so much more out of control since I was 25.
The effects that brought me to the E.R. include:
I have lost close to 100 lbs over the past 2years without trying
No appetite because I drink too much
The whites of my eyes have began to yellow at the bases
My skin is super thin
When I bruise or get cut it takes me so much longer to heal than it should
Extreme depression and anxiety
Thinning of my hair
All of these are due to my diminished liver function...
The doctor said I have a small window of opportunity to turn this around, but I need to stop now.
Now, I can't go cold turkey as I am waaaay too afraid of extreme withdrawal.
I also don't want to use a benzoid-based detox program...they gave me Librium at the E.R. and I couldn't take the side-effects.
I want to taper at home and I'm just looking for some advice...maybe someone has even done this before?
I found this article http://mnalternatives.com/how-taper-off-alcohol.html and was going to attempt to follow this schedule.
Also, I have a dr. apt. on Nov. 5, and I thought that if I could finish this taper before my apt. it would be better than if I did nothing productive for the next 4 days...I'm just so scared to not try to make some sort of progress...I mean, what does "soon" mean? To me, it means NOW.
I am on day one of my taper today...so far so good, I was just hoping to get some different insights maybe....
Thanks for any help!
-
Dick Van Dyke’s path to sobriety was a turning point in his life and career. Here’s what happened:How He Got SoberStruggles and Realization: Van Dyke began drinking as a teenager, largely to cope with shyness and social anxiety. Alcohol made him feel more comfortable in social settings, but over time, his drinking spiraled out of control. By his mid-40s, he recognized that he had an addictive...
The process of writing your thoughts and experiences as you go through this might help you. DS provides a place to journal if you like. I couldn't journal the first few days -- it was too intense and I was too unfocused, but later on I found it helpful.
Another advantage to keeping a journal -- if you EVER think it might be a good idea to drink again after you make it through your detox, you can read about all you went through. I am thinking that this is an experience you don't want to repeat.
Stay with it and take care of yourself.
Since I have to keep a strict schedule and log during this taper I've sort of turned my log into a mini-journal...This is def. an experience I never want to have again...and more than that, I CAN'T.
thanks again for the support
-ARI
1is2many
Know it is possible. You can do this. I believe in you.
This is day 3 of my taper and it is going very well. Got a good nights' sleep and, for the first time in IDK how long, awoke hungry not nauseated! I felt a bit of irritability last night, but the clamminess and shakiness, and panic seemed to have abated. I feel really good right now and I just want to thank u all again for ur continued support on this journey.
Keeping u all in my thoughts and prayers,
- ARI
Thank u for sharing ur experience and CONGRATS on ur 3 weeks! If u don't mind me asking, how far into ur taper did everything seem to take a bad turn? I'm on day 3 and so far I've been a beer behind for all 3 days. I'm just trying to balance how optimistic to be I guess.
thanks again,
- ARI
It is good to hear that you are making progress and dealing with your detox symptoms.
In March of this year, I went to my family doctor and when she walked in and asked what the problem was, I just told her I was a "hot mess". I told her I had been trying repeatedly to quit drinking on my own and it wasn't working for me.
Thankfully, she took me seriously and got me into a medically supervised detox within a few days. It was the beginning of my recovery. I feel SO much better that my desire to drink has finally begun to subside.
Do whatever it takes- I mean it- whatever it takes. My doctor told me that if I kept on the path I was on, I would be dead in a matter of 6 months to a year.
I wish you peace.
((( hugs )))
Peg
wishing u a blessed day
- ARI
I'm feeling great today, how r u doing? I awoke this morning with so much more energy and positivity...I know there are gonna be bad days to come, but so far it's like every day is a little bit better all-in-all.
thanks again for all ur support,
- ARI
Get some help while you still can.
I know fear couldn't stop me from drinking. I needed help. AA was that help for me but I didnt have the physical addiction / physical issues you have. Please get some help.
life is a precious gift and sober its amazing.