Help - alcohol and Xanax

[Alcoholandxanax22]

Hi, I joined this forum after years of reading posts because I'm looking to get help. I have been heavily using downers---alcohol, Xanax, painkillers as my preference--- on a daily basis for 10 years now. I am a female and 29 years old and thinking about starting a family and don't want to continue this lifestyle but I can't seem to be able to stop. I've seen general psychiatrists and nothing has been able to help. My husband, friends and family also cant help because I hide my problem from them.... nobody does drugs or drink alcohol at the extent I do. Every time I try to do one week "cleanses" from drugs and alcohol I always fail after the first day. any advice on how to stop would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[HappyFellow]

Hey there,
I know all too well what you are experiencing. I have been following this forum for over 6 years, but have just now registered.

Ok, so as you probably know alcohol and xanax can be a fatal combination especially if adding opiates into the mix. My suggestions depend on how high of a daily dose you have been on but considering that benzo withdrawal and and alcohol withdrawal can be potentially fatal there is only one real option. That would be to research local detox/treatment centers in your area and then to check your self into one.

To further answer your question I also need to know if you want to achieve complete sobriety and be able to live without drugs and alcohol. If you just want to detox then go to a 7 to 14 day detox program where they can monitor your care 24/7 and wean you off the benzos. Everyone (myself included) wants to detox on their own and gradually wean themselves off. But personally this rarely ever works unless it is combined with a rigorous 12 step program..meaning going to 90 AA/NA meetings in 90 days and being open to suggestions.

For 10 years your solution to life, anxiety, fear, pain, and all that other shit has been drugs and alcohol and it works for a bit, then it drags you down into a hole that you cannot get out of alone. The only other solution I have found is the 12 step program. Fortunately I have great insurance so I was able to go to a 90 day treatmemt program. Statistically the more treatment that you endure..the higher success you have of staying sober.

Everything I have said has come from personal experience, oh and by the way most phychiatrists and doctors don't know shit about addiction. Its not necessarily their fault because in all those 8 to 12 years of medical school, there is very little focus on addiction and treatment for addicts. Because of this I would highly recommend going to see an addictionologist as they will be able to give you actual assistance.

I know this is a lot of information to take in at once so im going to stop here, but I have much more I can add and I can answer probably any question you may have...either way this is most likely going to be the hardest thing you will have yet to endure/overcome so far. I wish you the best and am here to help anyway I can.

 

[infectedmushroom]

Firstly, forget psychiatrists, as HappyFellow has mentioned, they're often blissfully ignorant and only want to put you onto more drugs. I've had family members get even worse after visiting incompetent practitioners.

Second, you must tell your husband. You'll need a support network to give you motivation and help you get back up when you fall. If he loves you, he'll want to help you as much as he can.

To change your lifestyle, the thing you'll need above all else is the TRUE will and desire to completely overhaul your daily routine and change habits deeply ingrained and comforting. No, it will not be easy. So as not to shock your entire system, implement healthier living practices slowly. Do you enjoy sport? Gym? Walking? Do that - daily. Eat healthily. Get lots of sleep.

As I said, implement this at a pace which feels comfortable. Jumping in the deep-end will increase your chance of giving up because it's all "too hard," (I say this from personal experience.)


A bit more info about the quantities you're using would help us help you, as well.