Recovery The 2022 alcohol support thread

[n3ophy7e]

Fuck, @OVER_AMPER I am so sorry to hear about your kid brother That is horrific. What therapies has he tried, for his ptsd?

 

[Jabberwocky]

So, my little brother is a disabled army veteran. He went through a lot of heavy combat. He's got ptsd really bad and they found scarring on his brain and it's what they think is blast wave damage.

i have cPTSD, it won't be anywhere near as bad as your brother cos i have not seen heavy combat. but it was bad enough that i needed heroin otherwise every time i closed my eyes, i was being attacked; every time i managed to sleep, i was being attacked; sometimes when i was fully awake and eyes open, i was being attacked. so even though i have not seen anything like as traumatic as your brother, i understand the way that PTSD debilitates you such that you can't even remotely function without a chemical crutch.

when i was in rehab i got EMDR and ART. they were completely game changing. i am certain that i couldn't have remained clean from hard drugs without them. they are also effective with very few sessions, so you can get it privately without the cost being hugely prohibitive. with ART, i went from having a panic attack about thinking about the fact that i was going to have to work on that stuff to being able to replay certain things in my head without a strong emotional response. only thing is, you do have to be sober when doing the sessions. but i'd strongly encourage you to suggest this to your brother. in fact, i'm not sure where you are but i kinda feel like combat veterans should have easy access to such therapies given they are very likely to have cPTSD.

it wasn't a total cure for me, that's not realistic. but it might help your brother to get his life back

well done @F.U.B.A.R. for 8 days man that is fucking brilliant!!

i am doing OK with drinking, was sensible at the weekend. was not sensible last night, but that was mostly my boyf- he didn't get a job that he was really hoping to get. he's horrendously underpaid and his employer have given him more and more responsibilities without acknowledging it, and this was a chance at a promotion and more suitable compensation. his boss does recognise the situation he is in and is trying to get him better pay + recognition but various superiors have been dangling such things in front of him for over 3 years to stop him leaving, with nothing coming of it. so, its an excuse, but a pretty valid one imo.

 

[OVER_AMPER]

Fuck, @OVER_AMPER I am so sorry to hear about your kid brother That is horrific. What therapies has he tried, for his ptsd?

The VA is a joke of an entity. They're probably just overloaded but they don't take care of my brother. They drag their feet and right now he's been waiting almost 2 months on them to get the results of his latest mri. I'm not certain what therapies but I do know he goes to therapy.

@chinup
Thank you. I will definitely talk to him when I can. There's a bigger problem with him than just ptsd. With the brain issues, he can't even walk properly. His knees jerk and he has sudden motor ticks all throughout his body. He drops things a lot. It's like looking at those videos of ww1 shell shock soldiers. We do what we can but the main thing we try to do give him positivity. Trying to get him out of that negative mindset seems impossible. Negative negative negative. I can make him laugh on occasion. That's probably the best thing I've done for him.

 

[OVER_AMPER]

On a good note, today is my daughter's birthday. She's 17.

It's a bittersweet moment. She's all grown up. I will probably drink tonight.

 

[n3ophy7e]

The VA is a joke of an entity. They're probably just overloaded but they don't take care of my brother. They drag their feet and right now he's been waiting almost 2 months on them to get the results of his latest mri. I'm not certain what therapies but I do know he goes to therapy.

@chinup
Thank you. I will definitely talk to him when I can. There's a bigger problem with him than just ptsd. With the brain issues, he can't even walk properly. His knees jerk and he has sudden motor ticks all throughout his body. He drops things a lot. It's like looking at those videos of ww1 shell shock soldiers. We do what we can but the main thing we try to do give him positivity. Trying to get him out of that negative mindset seems impossible. Negative negative negative. I can make him laugh on occasion. That's probably the best thing I've done for him.

I can't even really imagine how difficult it is man I read bits and pieces here and there on the net about psychedelic therapy (psilocybin) for PTSD as a novel treatment. I am 100% certain VA wouldn't cover that lol. But could you maybe look in to it yourselves??

 

[OVER_AMPER]

I can't even really imagine how difficult it is man I read bits and pieces here and there on the net about psychedelic therapy (psilocybin) for PTSD as a novel treatment. I am 100% certain VA wouldn't cover that lol. But could you maybe look in to it yourselves??

As a matter of fact he has taken some heroic doses of psilocybin. Heroic as in Terrence McKenna heroic dose level. It did help him quite a bit. He also loves weed and it helps him tremendously. Whenever something big happens that's discouraging enough to throw him into a really negative mindset, he reverts right back to alcohol. For example his ex is suing him for full custody of his 14 year old son. As soon as he was served the papers, that did it.

He has 3 girls with his current wife and she has went the extra distance to make sure he gets appointments and such. She does most of the leg work.

Well, after last night... He's on the hot seat today. He's probably right now as I speak getting the "final ultimatum" talk from his wife. I hope he can pull it together. I really really do. If she walks out that door, he's done I feel. It's his choice though.

 

[Jabberwocky]

The VA is a joke of an entity. They're probably just overloaded but they don't take care of my brother. They drag their feet and right now he's been waiting almost 2 months on them to get the results of his latest mri. I'm not certain what therapies but I do know he goes to therapy.

@chinup
Thank you. I will definitely talk to him when I can. There's a bigger problem with him than just ptsd. With the brain issues, he can't even walk properly. His knees jerk and he has sudden motor ticks all throughout his body. He drops things a lot. It's like looking at those videos of ww1 shell shock soldiers. We do what we can but the main thing we try to do give him positivity. Trying to get him out of that negative mindset seems impossible. Negative negative negative. I can make him laugh on occasion. That's probably the best thing I've done for him.

@OVER_AMPER AMPER, Your brother shouldn't be waiting that long to get MRI or whatever labs, tests, etc. Get more more hooked in to the process, they do great work at the VA you just need someone who's done it before to guide you. Google AMVETS they do good work for veterans, google Healing Waters if your brother is in to fly fishing, they sponsor trips all over the country, and also google for someone who can help your brother get more benefits, its highly likely he qualifies for all sorts of things, but like I said you need some,e to guide you through the process.

 

[OVER_AMPER]

@OVER_AMPER AMPER, Your brother shouldn't be waiting that long to get MRI or whatever labs, tests, etc. Get more more hooked in to the process, they do great work at the VA you just need someone who's done it before to guide you. Google AMVETS they do good work for veterans, google Healing Waters if your brother is in to fly fishing, they sponsor trips all over the country, and also google for someone who can help your brother get more benefits, its highly likely he qualifies for all sorts of things, but like I said you need some,e to guide you through the process.

Thank you so much. It could also be that he is hostile with the VA. He isn't lying to me, as I once wondered if he was, because his wife says it's very difficult for her to get anything out of them. I'll let her know about amvets. I'm going to look into it myself. Thank you SO much!

 

[axe battler]

I've been very on and off with my drinking lately. Usually 2-3 nights off then a night or 2 drinking, then off it again for 2-3 days. I have a feeling if I had more money I'd drink more.

I wish beer didn't pile weight on you!!! I'm sure if I stopped drinking I'd drop a shit load of weight. Goddamn I think I'm going to try and source some GHB/GBL.

Oh and congrats @F.U.B.A.R. mate! Have you considered Antabuse?? Seriously if you're feeling like you're going to relapse again, Antabuse may really help you out!!!

Not sure if those is super harm reduction but I know you smoke a bit of weed. Couldn't you partake in that a little more rather than drink? A big fat joint with a fruit pastel blim with a movie and a curry could be a good replacement. Especially if you're on the Antabuse.

 

[n3ophy7e]

As a matter of fact he has taken some heroic doses of psilocybin. Heroic as in Terrence McKenna heroic dose level. It did help him quite a bit. He also loves weed and it helps him tremendously. Whenever something big happens that's discouraging enough to throw him into a really negative mindset, he reverts right back to alcohol. For example his ex is suing him for full custody of his 14 year old son. As soon as he was served the papers, that did it.

He has 3 girls with his current wife and she has went the extra distance to make sure he gets appointments and such. She does most of the leg work.

Well, after last night... He's on the hot seat today. He's probably right now as I speak getting the "final ultimatum" talk from his wife. I hope he can pull it together. I really really do. If she walks out that door, he's done I feel. It's his choice though.

Oh man that is infinitely harder, that there are kids involved I feel really sad for your brother and for what he's been through, and the pain he's suffering through every day, but at the same time I can understand the concerns of his ex and his wife, ultimately they have to keep the kids safe (even though I'd hazard a guess that his ex isn't being very nice about things?).
Okay so that's cool your brother is no stranger to psychedelics. Psychedelic therapy involves (from what I've read) taking small to medium doses of psilocybin (or other substances e.g. ketamine, LSD, DMT, ibogaine etc) and parttaking in one-on-one guided meditation therapy sessions once a month or so, to work through the trauma. It's not about getting high or tripping, it's about lowering your mind's inhibitions and working through the trauma whilst in a semi-vulnerable state, but also in a controlled environment. It might be worth looking in to, if you feel that he's at the end of his rope so to speak. It's worth a try.

@OVER_AMPER AMPER, Your brother shouldn't be waiting that long to get MRI or whatever labs, tests, etc. Get more more hooked in to the process, they do great work at the VA you just need someone who's done it before to guide you. Google AMVETS they do good work for veterans, google Healing Waters if your brother is in to fly fishing, they sponsor trips all over the country, and also google for someone who can help your brother get more benefits, its highly likely he qualifies for all sorts of things, but like I said you need some,e to guide you through the process.

This is wonderful advice Being in Australia, I have NO idea about VA so I really have no advice on how to deal with them, so thanks for sharing that

I've been very on and off with my drinking lately. Usually 2-3 nights off then a night or 2 drinking, then off it again for 2-3 days. I have a feeling if I had more money I'd drink more.

I'd call that a win, in my books! Do you feel happy with that amount of drinking:sobriety? Or do you wish you were more sober?

And @F.U.B.A.R. if you or anyone has any questions about Antabuse I have been on and off it for years. I'm currently on it and doing really well. Honestly it is the one thing that I have tried that 100% keeps be sober. I've tried it ALL, you name it, I've done it. Inpatient detoxes and rehabs, group therapy, private therapy, meditation, hypnotherapy, AA/NA meetings, SMART meetings, all the different anti-addiction medications, fuckn everything. Obviously a combined approach works best, for me at the moment it's fortnightly therapy sessions, weekly drug counsellor check-ins, and Antabuse.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Thank you. I will definitely talk to him when I can. There's a bigger problem with him than just ptsd. With the brain issues, he can't even walk properly. His knees jerk and he has sudden motor ticks all throughout his body. He drops things a lot. It's like looking at those videos of ww1 shell shock soldiers. We do what we can but the main thing we try to do give him positivity. Trying to get him out of that negative mindset seems impossible. Negative negative negative. I can make him laugh on occasion. That's probably the best thing I've done for him.

that must be horrible to see. traumatic brain injury is brutal. i guess all you can do is encourage him to take the help that is offered, there may be physio and stuff that can help. brain injury can impact mood as well which will not be helping with the ptsd and drinking. i hope it went OK with his wife,that will not help, but i can see why if she's done so much for him and it doesn't seem to be helping, you kinda lose hope and motivation.

hope your daughter had a great birthday!!

also @n3ophy7e or @F.U.B.A.R. or anyone else with a long history of alcohol and other drug abuse. do you have any experience with neuropathy? i have some from my crack use in my hands and feet, but i only notice when something else exacerbates it, so when i got covid i had quite pronounced numbness. anyway i know drinking won't exactly be helping. but i'm getting a bit stressed cos i'm doing so much better with drinking, drinking less frequently and drinking less most of the time when i do drink, but its getting worse.

i will see a dr if it gets much worse but i was just wondering if you have experienced this and if anything helped with it, other than the obvious not drinking? i need sensation in my hands to fucking type and therefore do my job. they are going numb several times a day, only briefly but the numbness is much worse than i've experienced previously when it happens. the idea of losing use of my hands is fucking horrendous, probably worse than the idea of losing use off legs tbh.

 

[stardust10]

also @n3ophy7e or @F.U.B.A.R. or anyone else with a long history of alcohol and other drug abuse. do you have any experience with neuropathy?

Ehh, if ur talking about numbness and tingling in arms hands and feet I had it quite bad with the drink at one point but I'm sure it was something to do with my folic acid and iron levels. I don't really know what I'm talking about tho, hopefully that's what ur meaning. It's got much better now. I don't take vitamins anymore.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Ehh, if ur talking about numbness and tingling in arms hands and feet I had it quite bad with the drink at one point but I'm sure it was something to do with my folic acid and iron levels. I don't really know what I'm talking about tho, hopefully that's what ur meaning. It's got much better now. I don't take vitamins anymore.

glad to hear it got better for you! that gives me hope for me too.

i'm taking pre natal supplements and have had folic acid tested a few times recently and that's ok. was slightly anaemic but remedied that with iron supplements.

 

[AbbeyLee]

Hey everyone.. I haven't checked in for a while but alcohol remains my arch enemy. I started drinking a bit too much a couple weeks ago (six beers/day for more than a couple of days is "a bit too much" for me now) and it messed me up.

Looking back on the last six months, during which I've used meth, weed, benzos, cigarettes and alcohol, the alcohol absolutely takes the cake in severity of impact. Over the last couple of years, the alcohol put me in intensive care. Well, over the last *48 years* the alcohol put me in hospital full-stop.


This was in the news the other night. The lady's son died from alcohol toxicity (one of my discharge summaries said "alcohol toxicity", and it isn't a specific thing) after drinking 11 bottles of vodka in 10 days. He bought them all from the same bottleshop and his mother is calling for stricter rules within the alcohol industry in Australia. It's about time.

 

[BadAddiction]

Has anyone here tried Naltrexone? And if so, did it work for you?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Has anyone here tried Naltrexone? And if so, did it work for you?

i have been recommended it for drinking and plan to look into it.

the person who recommended it to me also has a problem with binging/purging, which is an issue for me right now that is causing a lot of grief, and she said that thoguh she used it for alcohol, it helped with the b/ping too. problem with those things is its a chemical quick fix, rather than addressing the underlying psycholpgical issues. but at this point i'm pretty certain my main psychological issue is intractable idiocy and if i can just get out of bad habits for long enough and have learned the hard way not to play with fire, i should be good.

 

[axe battler]

Idiocy can feel like a reason, but don't beat yourself up @chinup. That's one of the big take homes from any kind of councelling or therapy.

Naltrexone/Antabuse should usually be combined with some form of rehabilitation to address the reasons for drinking.

 

[F.U.B.A.R.]

also @n3ophy7e or @F.U.B.A.R. or anyone else with a long history of alcohol and other drug abuse. do you have any experience with neuropathy? i have some from my crack use in my hands and feet, but i only notice when something else exacerbates it, so when i got covid i had quite pronounced numbness. anyway i know drinking won't exactly be helping. but i'm getting a bit stressed cos i'm doing so much better with drinking, drinking less frequently and drinking less most of the time when i do drink, but its getting worse.

i will see a dr if it gets much worse but i was just wondering if you have experienced this and if anything helped with it, other than the obvious not drinking? i need sensation in my hands to fucking type and therefore do my job. they are going numb several times a day, only briefly but the numbness is much worse than i've experienced previously when it happens. the idea of losing use of my hands is fucking horrendous, probably worse than the idea of losing use off legs tbh.

@chinup I periodically suffer from numbness/tingling in my hands and feet - especially in winter - but I put this down to poor circulation from reckless IV use in those areas. This has been slowly improving over the last 12 years since I sacked the needle and luckily haven't noticed it getting any worse from drinking.


To all those who have suggested therapy and/or antabuse - thanks for your concern, but I'm beyond help. The only person that can help me is myself I'm afraid.


@axe battler

Here's a photo of me about to embark on my new hobby...






Day 14 BTW...

 

[n3ophy7e]

Has anyone here tried Naltrexone? And if so, did it work for you?

Yes, I've tried it a couple of times, about 18 years ago.

Honestly? It did not do much for me....I really wish I had better feedback for it, but I just drank straight through while I was on naltrexone. It didn't reduce my cravings, it didn't make drinking any less desirable, and it didn't make me sick from drinking. It was just a waste of time and money, FOR ME.

Having said that, it has helped a LOT of people to quit drinking, so it's worth a try. Has your doctor recommended it to you?

 

[n3ophy7e]

also @n3ophy7e or @F.U.B.A.R. or anyone else with a long history of alcohol and other drug abuse. do you have any experience with neuropathy? i have some from my crack use in my hands and feet, but i only notice when something else exacerbates it, so when i got covid i had quite pronounced numbness. anyway i know drinking won't exactly be helping. but i'm getting a bit stressed cos i'm doing so much better with drinking, drinking less frequently and drinking less most of the time when i do drink, but its getting worse.

i will see a dr if it gets much worse but i was just wondering if you have experienced this and if anything helped with it, other than the obvious not drinking? i need sensation in my hands to fucking type and therefore do my job. they are going numb several times a day, only briefly but the numbness is much worse than i've experienced previously when it happens. the idea of losing use of my hands is fucking horrendous, probably worse than the idea of losing use off legs tbh.

Yes I have had temporary neuropathy a few times when my really heavy drinking has gone on for particularly long periods of time. Then once sober the neuropathy symptoms begin to clear up with time.

i have been recommended it for drinking and plan to look into it.

the person who recommended it to me also has a problem with binging/purging, which is an issue for me right now that is causing a lot of grief, and she said that thoguh she used it for alcohol, it helped with the b/ping too. problem with those things is its a chemical quick fix, rather than addressing the underlying psycholpgical issues. but at this point i'm pretty certain my main psychological issue is intractable idiocy and if i can just get out of bad habits for long enough and have learned the hard way not to play with fire, i should be good.

Just FYI honey, you can't take naltrexone whilst pregnant. Nor can you take Antabuse. Which SUUUUUCKS because when I get pregnant with our second kid I will have to stop taking Antabuse and go back to raw-doggin it.

To all those who have suggested therapy and/or antabuse - thanks for your concern, but I'm beyond help. The only person that can help me is myself I'm afraid.

What makes you say that??
No one is ever truly beyond help....

Day 14 BTW...

Fuck yeah!!!! Keep it up man!