Alcoholism Thread V. ti martwonies

[CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT]

Please don't take this the wrong way guys, I'm only dropping in here to post a link I think many of you will find interesting.
It's from How Stuff Works and it's an article called, What is a hangover?

I listened to this podcast of this article the other day and it really opened my eyes up to what exactly happens to the body when it's hung over from drinking heavily. Feel free to skip over this or roll your eyes. I hope it's of some use to someone, though.

All the best, everyone.

 

[n3ophy7e]

the last few weekends when I hit the piss harder than I do through the week

Firstly, this statement indicates that you're drinking most days/everyday?? If so, that alone can increase your physical dependancy and may be a big factor involved in the shakes you're experiencing after weekend-binges.

is there any way to minimise this that doesn't involve a reduction of alcohol consumption?

Short answer: No.

If you're noticing that you're progressively drinking more, harder, faster, higher % alcohol etc, on the weekends, or if this pattern is encroaching more and more during the week, it seriously sounds like you're developing a drinking problem. I know because this is precisely how it happened to me.

To be brutally honest mate, the best thing you can do is to take some good solid breaks from drinking, give your liver and kidneys and brain a much-needed rest from the toxicity of alcohol. By all means, continue to drink on weekends but perhaps set yourself some limits, e.g. no drinking before say 3pm (or 5pm, or whatever suits you), or no spirits, or say no mixing drinks after 7pm, you get the idea. But ultimately, it really does sound like you need to decreased your total consumption of alcohol. I know that's not what you want to hear but it's for the best.

Alcoholism, like any other addiction, can creep up on us so gradually, but by the time we're experiencing the full on effects of mental and physical addiction, it's much too late.

PM if you ever want to talk to someone about it okay??

 

[DooMMooD]

Hey man welcome to the thread
Kudos to your Dad for 3 years of sobriety! That's awesome!

Ha, Ill tell him you said that. And if you look back in the thread, i've posted here before. Dad got sober because his hand was kinda forced (dont want to take over the thread again so just look back or look at my post in health, but long story short liver cancer+liver transplant, from guess what).

So I kinda empathize with those suffering alcohol problems because I watched my dad and was too much of a young pussy to do anything about his issue. Guess I wanna make up for it by helping others with the drink.

Anyone ever needs to talk or has questions, feel free to PM me. Still hope everyone's doing well, staying on the wagon.

 

[drug_mentor]

Firstly, this statement indicates that you're drinking most days/everyday?? If so, that alone can increase your physical dependancy and may be a big factor involved in the shakes you're experiencing after weekend-binges.



Short answer: No.

If you're noticing that you're progressively drinking more, harder, faster, higher % alcohol etc, on the weekends, or if this pattern is encroaching more and more during the week, it seriously sounds like you're developing a drinking problem. I know because this is precisely how it happened to me.

To be brutally honest mate, the best thing you can do is to take some good solid breaks from drinking, give your liver and kidneys and brain a much-needed rest from the toxicity of alcohol. By all means, continue to drink on weekends but perhaps set yourself some limits, e.g. no drinking before say 3pm (or 5pm, or whatever suits you), or no spirits, or say no mixing drinks after 7pm, you get the idea. But ultimately, it really does sound like you need to decreased your total consumption of alcohol. I know that's not what you want to hear but it's for the best.

Alcoholism, like any other addiction, can creep up on us so gradually, but by the time we're experiencing the full on effects of mental and physical addiction, it's much too late.

PM if you ever want to talk to someone about it okay??

Yeah, I drink a minimum of 5 days a week, I only don't drink on days where I smoke weed or take opiates or something. Don't have a massive habit through the week since I stopped working 6 months or so ago I have to keep it lowish. Been drinking like this since January, was alot heavier from January through to march or April though.

I figured it was bound to happen eventually but my mum has been a hardcore pisshead for years and when she stops she doesn't seem to get withdrawals of any kind. I had read a few places it was only all day drinkers who really developed physical dependence because the body eliminates alcohol quite quickly.

I just binge drink at night, by that I mean I drink everything I am going to drink in a very short space of time before I go to bed. Because of a lack of means I don't drink as much as many people on here seem to but yeah, I know its a problem.

Haven't had a day sober from atleast some kind of drug in like 2.5 years now, I started drinking when I was forced to quit daily marijuana use (which I am actually quite thankful I did now because I have realised how much anxiety/social problems it used to cause) and haven't really looked back.

Not sure I even want to quit, kind of resigned myself to the fact I would be drug dependent for my wholel ife a fair while ago. I don't really have much else to look forward to and I have a shocking time sleeping if I don't have some kind of sedatives to put me out.

I guess I am just kind of surprised to be experiencing withdrawals this soon and it is making me wonder a little bit if it is worth it to continue doing what I am doing. I appreciate the offer to talk, you're a good person. I don't really have any problems accepting the fact I'm an alcoholic/drug addict I was just wondering about the withdrawals.

Hope everyone out there is doing ok, I don't post much in this thread but I read it often.

 

[tigger420]

Don't know if this story will do anyone any good, but I figure it can't hurt.

I have had a friend living with me and my family for 7 years now. I knew getting into this situation it might be a hard one, but I had hoped against hope. My friend, has a sad story, as most do....grew up in unsavory conditions...loser father...mother that did her best. He had no guidence and was selling drugs by the age of 15. Was living on the streets by 17. Got a girl knocked up by 18, and two babies by the age of 22. He stayed with said mom of children and tried to do the "right thing" but how does one do the "right thing" when they were never taught it? By age 30 he had been in and out of jail numerous times for traffic and drug charges. At 31 his father commited suicide by hanging himself....he got the phone call at 4:20am on April 20 while trippin his brains out (ironic time and date no?) At the age of 32 he received a 2 year sentance. While in jail is "girl" hooked up with his best friend and when jail time was over allowed him to come home but still saw the "friend" on the side. Because of his probation he wasn't allowed to do his drugs of choice so began drinking....the one "drug" he said he would never do because of his dad. By boozin it up...he could still get a buzz and beat his drug testing.....

After being home for about a year he realized what his girl was doing and left....with nowhere to go and no sense of what to do. I opened my door to him. With severe rules that he was to turn his life around in. Get his license, a job, and work toward straightening his shit out. That was 7 years ago.

He did ok at first. Took him about a year to get his license, but once he did was doing quite well. Till that fateful day when he went out after work and had a few beers. Sped home and got pulled over....trying to be honest and not run from the cops as he usually did...it backfired and he was served a DUI. Because of his past record he was given the max and lost his license for two years. The burden to drive him around fell upon me again. At the time I thought I was doing a good thing, but it took me a LONG time to figure out I was enableing my friend. He spiraled out of control during that two years and his drinking became something that took over my home. For the most part he would drink till he past out....but we constantly waited for that one day....and it usually happened once a month....where he would not pass out and we would have a drama filled night.

I finally got pushed to the edge....an edge that I didn't think exsisted. I couldn't take it anymore....I felt used, taken advantage of, tired, depressed....all the feelings that come to a person that is involved with an addict. After his drama night of jumping into his car and driving all over town at top speed (without his license) and peeling in and out of my driveway at 2 am...I snapped.

No more....you are out, I said. You constantly do this to me, and I will no longer watch you do this to yourself and allow you to hurt me. GET OUT! Many I'm sorrys followed, and my reply was, your sorrys mean nothing, because you turn around and do it again!

Apparently that was the night of nights. His mother finally stepped in and helped him into a program. And we all know how helpful those programs are....<eyeroll>
However, when he got out....he knew he HAD to do something....He went to his doctor and was prescribed depression meds and some sleep meds. Was directed to a steady counselor as well.

Im happy to say he is nine weeks sober....and is still living here. He has a timeline however. February is his move out date. And as afraid as I am that he will minipulate me in some way to let him stay longer....I have to stick to this time line. The only way he will succeed in his life is if he is forced to succeed.

I don't know if any of this will help anyone.....but felt compelled to write it today. I obviously left out a lot of the drama...but I think you get the picture. Living with an alcoholic or any addict for that matter can completely take over your whole life. It is one of the hardest things I have been through. Any help I can give....I am willing to give.

 

[Musichead1489]

right on Tigger. I know what you're going through. You're doing the right thing for sure. Sometimes you really have to put your foot down even if it seems rigid and insensitive. Ultimately you are helping your friend. If you don't give him that timeline that alcoholic manipulative part of himself will find excuses and ways to continue you on the way it has been. Good luck!

 

[Mariposa]

Been noticing the last few weekends when I hit the piss harder than I do through the week that the day afterwards I get shaky and shit. Not like shaking uncontrollably but noticeabley shaking at times. I assume this is the start of physical dependence building? This is probably a stupid question seeing as how I don't really plan on stopping drinking anytime soon but is there any way to minimise this that doesn't involve a reduction of alcohol consumption?

Not realistically, in my lay opinion. You simply must reduce or abstain to get rid of the tremor.

I had a noticeable tremor when I was actively drinking. I don't anymore.

I tapered more quickly than most people, but once I hit the 100-hour mark of being abstinent, I noticed the tremor that I had for years (just assumed I didn't have steady hands) suddenly disappeared. It has not returned.

It was something about which I was very sensitive because people would ask about it. There is nothing to ask about anymore. I hope it is gone forever.

Try cutting down and see how you go with that. If you have no intention of stopping drinking, it won't likely disappear.

 

[n3ophy7e]

Haven't had a day sober from atleast some kind of drug in like 2.5 years now, I started drinking when I was forced to quit daily marijuana use (which I am actually quite thankful I did now because I have realised how much anxiety/social problems it used to cause) and haven't really looked back.

I guess I am just kind of surprised to be experiencing withdrawals this soon and it is making me wonder a little bit if it is worth it to continue doing what I am doing. I appreciate the offer to talk, you're a good person. I don't really have any problems accepting the fact I'm an alcoholic/drug addict I was just wondering about the withdrawals.

The offer stands any time okay mate?

How you're describing your situation really sounds a lot like MY situation, which has gradually changed over the last year or so, to where I am today (drinking a lot less, and happy to do so, AND reaping the health benefits as well). I hope that you come to some kind of balance with your drinking and drug use, and sobriety, whatever that balance will be for you

 

[ttownlcb2]

I have not posted in a while. I have been trying to do a controlled withdrawal. I am happy I have managed to get rid of the shakes (which is so important, as I have to type heavily at my job), I still can't just manage the beer only withdrawal. I have given up hard liquor but I still prefer wine over beer. I do report that I am sleeping better (one of the reasons I started drinking heavily is my fear of not being able to sleep), I have been taking Melatonin, Valerian root and 5 -thp and these really seem to help me. While I am still resorting to wine/beer mixture, the amount is remarkable less than I am used to consuming. Have been feeling great at work and getting a lot done. Hopefully, I will continue to taper until I can go several days without any alcohol.

This thread has been invaluable to me. I have read of history of people's families and other life triggers that so reflect my own experiences. I came late to drinking and I feel I have used alcohol to avoid other substances and I just hope to eventually get off this ride. Thanks to all for their stories and advice.

 

[n3ophy7e]

Hey ttown, thanks for sharing your story with us
It's so great to hear you've cut out spirits, and continue to taper off the rest. It sounds like you're doing really well and reaping the health benefits of cutting down your alcohol consumption! Great job man, keep up the good work, very inspiring

 

[ttownlcb2]

Thanks N3, the encouragement is totally appreciated.

 

[ttownlcb2]

N3, by the way, I am a chick. Hard to tell from the handle.

 

[ttownlcb2]

10-4 Smokey bear.

 

[n3ophy7e]

N3, by the way, I am a chick. Hard to tell from the handle.

Haha ahhh sorry hun! If it's any consolation people used to think I was a guy too :D

 

[drug_mentor]

LOL I think for some reason on here most people will assume you are a guy unless you have a REALLY obvious chick username.

 

[RedLeader]

Tales of Temptation

Ah well, so what brings me to the present moment? The last 48 hours have been pretty crazy concerning my alcoholism.

Yesterday

I was thinking forward to NOvember, not wanting to fail miserably again. With that said, I (irr?)ationally came to the conclusion to do a 4-3-2-1 part rapid taper down over the last four days of October in order to be ready. So I drive to the grocers and buy a bunch of my favorites -- hard cider and Jim Beam (not the best choices for a taper, but again I had a BAD day yesterday and we all know how it is...). So I buy all of the alcohol and am ready to go home for a bit of fun and my car won't start. Completely dead - no foresight of this happening really at all. So I start calling around, seeing if I can round up a person with jumper cables, but it's 11:30pm, so my options are limited. I cannot get a hold of anybody, and my AAA card was left at home! So the only person I could call to drive me back home was my sister. Now my sister is completely straight-edge, so I CANNOT have alcohol around her. Given that I'd have to way to hide the alcohol if I were to ride home with her, I tragically dumped it into the bin outside of the grocer door

"A sign," one could suggest? Divine intervention? Well I rode home with my sister, and like the horrible person I am, immediately walked across the street to the service station and stocked up before closing hours. So yesterday was a failed day.

Today

Some $300 later in car repairs (it wasn't just a dead battery, and no, I wasn't being scammed by the dealership either) later, as well as frustrations with various things, I get back on my cider and Jim plan. But as the day progresses, I kind of talk myself out of it. I was up by 7am to go to the dealership, and I probably can just pass out by midnight or so naturally. Why need the good ol' hypnotic?

I go to my gym tonight around 6pm and they're having a product promotion slash Halloween party, where they had an actual DJ booth set up in the gym. It was actually really awesome, as they were spinning house and the speakers were great. Phenomenal workout - it was like working out in a nightclub. I killed the workout and felt wonderful. Then ya, an hour later I am at home blasting internet radio and in full party mode as a carryover Needless to say, the cider and Jim plan was reestablished. I just hope I can keep it under control and have a comfortable night of music, being home alone, and with my comfort blanket.

Because I AM doing NOvember. Or at least trying. Tonight's my last night of lowered guard, and tomorrow and Saturday will be minimal intake, with Sunday beginning the sobriety.

WHY?? WHY is this stuff so addictive? I've used heroin, cocaine, smoked cigs daily, etc and nothing grabs me like alcohol. Nothing even comes close to the pull this stuff has. And the thing is that it's not really even that good of a high. I think I am just terrified of not having it, mainly for sleep, but also I'm caught up in the whole anxiety cycle. I really like what I heard from those who did well in Octsober with alcohol reduction, concerning sleeping and anxiety. So I am using this as strong motivation for next month.

 

[monchi]

^its true! you really do sleep better!:D

its sooo hard to brake that pattern, but within days i was getting back to normal. normal enough that i realized that the wine really wasnt helping me sleep at all.

 

[tigger420]

Thanks musichead....the hard part was NOT being able to say something for so long, and letting his addiction run my life and my home. Even though he is now sober I do still see his munipulitive patterns, and I am trying to remain strong and KNOW that I HAVE to keep the rules and boundries in place or he will continue to not take care of himself, but let me "take care of him".
Redleader....my heart hurts for you...truly. If you ever need to talk, please PM me. I haven't delt with the addiction personally, I've always been on the outside looking in. I don't want to see you, or anyone for that matter have to hit rock bottom as my friend did. It's a horrible place to go....My friend that I talked about, also had his share of addictions that he overcame...coccaine and such...but the booze always seemed to have a hold on him. He was able to obtain an antidepresent..um...cymbalta...and an endless supply of valium to help him with the sleeping issue that comes when quitting the bottle.
Sleep.......that was one thing he always argued with me, I need it to fall asleep, I'm so sore from work it helps me relax. Bullshit....your body isn't really resting or getting the sleep it needs. My thoughs are with you.

 

[ttownlcb2]

Been noticing the last few weekends when I hit the piss harder than I do through the week that the day afterwards I get shaky and shit. Not like shaking uncontrollably but noticeabley shaking at times. I assume this is the start of physical dependence building? This is probably a stupid question seeing as how I don't really plan on stopping drinking anytime soon but is there any way to minimise this that doesn't involve a reduction of alcohol consumption?

DM,

I was starting to get the shakes really bad after just a few months of increased intake. Hard liquor as opposed to beer or wine. A friend sent me a taper link and I started that, although I don't drink during the day, I have a stressful job and with all the typing and concentration needed, the shakes sucked. I started taking valerian root and 5-htp and doing the taper. No hard liquor, and while, according to this method, you are only supposed to taper with beer, I added wine, cause I like it, but have dramatically reduced my intake. I have managed to get rid of the shakes. I am more focused at work and I find I don't feel the urge to drink until much later in the evening. I have been sleeping through the night (which is unusual for me and something I dread not doing) and wake up feeling basically normal, as opposed to hung and foggy. Here is the link to the tapering info. Hope it helps. The shakes suck and are absolutely embarrassing.

http://hamsnetwork.org/taper/

Hope this helps.

 

[ttownlcb2]

Ah well, so what brings me to the present moment? The last 48 hours have been pretty crazy concerning my alcoholism.

Yesterday

I was thinking forward to NOvember, not wanting to fail miserably again. With that said, I (irr?)ationally came to the conclusion to do a 4-3-2-1 part rapid taper down over the last four days of October in order to be ready. So I drive to the grocers and buy a bunch of my favorites -- hard cider and Jim Beam (not the best choices for a taper, but again I had a BAD day yesterday and we all know how it is...). So I buy all of the alcohol and am ready to go home for a bit of fun and my car won't start. Completely dead - no foresight of this happening really at all. So I start calling around, seeing if I can round up a person with jumper cables, but it's 11:30pm, so my options are limited. I cannot get a hold of anybody, and my AAA card was left at home! So the only person I could call to drive me back home was my sister. Now my sister is completely straight-edge, so I CANNOT have alcohol around her. Given that I'd have to way to hide the alcohol if I were to ride home with her, I tragically dumped it into the bin outside of the grocer door

"A sign," one could suggest? Divine intervention? Well I rode home with my sister, and like the horrible person I am, immediately walked across the street to the service station and stocked up before closing hours. So yesterday was a failed day.

Today

Some $300 later in car repairs (it wasn't just a dead battery, and no, I wasn't being scammed by the dealership either) later, as well as frustrations with various things, I get back on my cider and Jim plan. But as the day progresses, I kind of talk myself out of it. I was up by 7am to go to the dealership, and I probably can just pass out by midnight or so naturally. Why need the good ol' hypnotic?

I go to my gym tonight around 6pm and they're having a product promotion slash Halloween party, where they had an actual DJ booth set up in the gym. It was actually really awesome, as they were spinning house and the speakers were great. Phenomenal workout - it was like working out in a nightclub. I killed the workout and felt wonderful. Then ya, an hour later I am at home blasting internet radio and in full party mode as a carryover Needless to say, the cider and Jim plan was reestablished. I just hope I can keep it under control and have a comfortable night of music, being home alone, and with my comfort blanket.

Because I AM doing NOvember. Or at least trying. Tonight's my last night of lowered guard, and tomorrow and Saturday will be minimal intake, with Sunday beginning the sobriety.

WHY?? WHY is this stuff so addictive? I've used heroin, cocaine, smoked cigs daily, etc and nothing grabs me like alcohol. Nothing even comes close to the pull this stuff has. And the thing is that it's not really even that good of a high. I think I am just terrified of not having it, mainly for sleep, but also I'm caught up in the whole anxiety cycle. I really like what I heard from those who did well in Octsober with alcohol reduction, concerning sleeping and anxiety. So I am using this as strong motivation for next month.

RL

That sucks. Cars and insensitive relations can be such a pain in the ass. BTW AAA rules, sorry you did not have your card with you. One thing I want to touch on, I read over and over again, how people on this thread talk about needing to drink to sleep. That is a big obstacle for me too. I have experimented with lots of substances, and frankly opiates don't do it for me on a long term basis. Fun to do for a day, but then, heh. As a matter of course, drug wise, I prefer stimulants, coke, not meth but really like psychdelics, but I FEAR not sleeping and, unfortunately, alcohol has been the best drug for that. Like I said before, I have been tapering, and taking melatonin, valerian root and 5-htp. I finally slept through the night just last night in how can't tell you how long. I am holding out hope that with the supplements and tapering, I can keep that up. But not being able to sleep is still a big fear with me and seems like it is with others as well. Anyone know why that is?