Alcohol addiction

[Loozer_Magnet]

I have recently come to terms with my addiction to alcohol. I've (for the most part) traded in other drugs for alcohol. It all started when I was 18. I started experimenting with alcohol and other drugs. I had never done anything, not even smoking weed, until after I turned 18. Over the course of the next few years I tried a little bit of this and that.. Xanax, Oxy, Vicodin, Weed, Cocaine, shrooms, ecstasy.. Alcohol became one of my favorites.. It's legal, easy to get a hold of (I worked at a bar), cheap (free for me most of the time due to my job), and everyone I knew drank.
After I became pregnant with my first daughter I cut it out completely during pregnancy and up until she was 6 months old. Little by little I started imbibing... A few drinks here and there... Then I started looking for reasons to drink.. I missed drinking so much.. I loved the inhibition it gave me..
When I met my current companion (6 years ago) I cut back again.. Not wanting to scare him off with my excessive drinking.. I reserved it for weekends or special occasions (mostly)...
Since then we have had 2 children together for a total of 3 kids.. And I find myself drinking on a regular basis.. He's been pretty good about it. He never makes me feel bad.. But I do it to myself. My 6 year old daughter even makes comments like "Mom, are you really going to drink ANOTHER bottle of wine?"..
I can't drink every day because of work.. But when I can't drink I sit and think about how I can't wait until my next drink.. And I can't ever just stop at one... Once I start, it's like my brain is telling me I should have one more, then another until I completely black out and wake up the next morning and realize I've drank 2 whole bottles, plus 3-4 other drinks (four loco, best damn root beer, mad dragon, etc)...

I was diagnosed with depression and was put on SSRIs but it didn't help with my desire to drink..

I just don't know what to do with myself anymore.. I know that my drinking is out of hand. I know some people don't see it as a problem unless I have spent all my time and money on it, lost friends and family over it, or have done whatever I can to get a hold of it.. Which I haven't, but I know there is a problem.. I just don't know how to fix it.. And I don't want it to get so bad that I do lose everything...

 

[Jabberwocky]

Have you ever heard of Baclofen? It is a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder and has been used with some good success.

How can SL help support you in your recovery?

 

[Loozer_Magnet]

Have you ever heard of Baclofen? It is a medication used to treat alcohol use disorder and has been used with some good success.

How can SL help support you in your recovery?

No I haven't. I've never really looked into treatment because I've just recently admitted there was a problem.. I've always brushed it off.. But now I'm starting to realize just how serious it's become..

 

[Jabberwocky]

Do you know any psychiatrists or medical doctors who specialize in treating alcohol use disorder? I strongly recommend you find yourself on or two and discuss Baclofen and your other options with them.

 

[Loozer_Magnet]

I am seeing a psychiatrist for depression, but I haven't discussed my alcohol addiction with her yet. I have another appointment in a month. Do you know if the other medication you mentioned can be taken with Zoloft? I'm taking 100mg.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I believe they can be safely taken together, but keep in mind I am not a doctor. Hopefully you will be able to discuss your situation with your doctor when you see her again. I suggest you write out a game plan and basically prepare like you would a speech for what you want to discuss with her.

 

[Strike Alight]

Shouldnt be any interaction with Zoloft and any of the main alcohol dependant medications, the doc will know and prescribe accordingly.

 

[Moreaux]

Hey loozer magnet - love that name - literally LOL'D when I saw it. I can relate to much of your story. I started with the booze and didn't get totally sober until 2014. Be very very careful about mixing booze and SSRI'S, particularly Zoloft. I feel that combination really escalated my alcoholism. I tried for several years to quit and only managed to finally stop after my second stint in rehab. I got the Vivitrol shot for 8 months after inpatient. The shot removed cravings, and it's been almost three years and I am still sober without cravings. I will say I still struggle with depression but it's much more manageable. Feel free to hit me up with questions. Good luck!

Onset of Alcohol Dependence Linked to SSRI's

Antidepressants Causing Cravings

Antidepressants and Alcohol

 

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks for your input Moreaux. We do need an ethanol specialist 'round these here parts

 

[VastEmpty]

^ I was just thinking "I'm glad Moreaux is here - she's our resident alcohol expert!" Thanks for the links, Moreaux, I learn new things from you all the time.

loozer -

im sorry you are struggling! I agree with seeing an addiction specialist and possibly getting on medication to help you quit the alcohol. With 3 little ones you have so much to live for! You've already made a huge step by just admitting that you have a problem.

Best of Luck!

- VE

 

[aihfl]

Hi LM, I have about 8 months sober off alcohol after roughly a three year struggle to stop. Ironically, it was a SSRI (Celexa) that my last detox psychiatrist put me on that I credit with helping me turn the corner. I've also been on baclofen (my last dose was 80mg/day or 20mg/4x daily), naltrexone (50mg once daily), acamprosate (1,998 mg/daily or 666mg/3x daily) and gabapentin (still on 900mg right before bed). After about 4 months sober, my doctor discontinued the baclofen and I never was able to tolerate naltrexone. It made me sick every time I took it like I was going through a mild opiate withdrawal (I abused pills, too, so I know what that feels like). I am no longer taking acamprosate either, although I think it was a good drug. Not only did it help with alcohol cravings, it also cut down on a whole host of obsessive behaviors including impulse buying and obsessing over sex. I've tried almost everything, it seems like (except topiramate) and I've come out of this on the other side thinking that we are all so different that it really takes some trial and error in finding out what works for you. Like I said, naltrexone made me sick as shit, but I've known other people who managed to stop drinking using The Sinclair Method. All of us are different.

 

[aihfl]

LM - I see you live in Tampa, not too far away. If you are unable to find an addiction psychiatrist in your area, I can recommend a few around Orlando and Daytona Beach.