So I start treatment for alcoholism next week... *UPDATED! #2* 1/6/08

[JohnCU]

Found one who is nationally and state certified to treat alcoholism but I can't help but wonder what she could possibly say/do to help me stop if waking up every morning feeling like shit and ruining my health isn't enough to stop me? I've read every article there is to read, bought a book to self-help and know what I'm doing to myself, but it isn't enough.

Here's hoping she has the magical answer. If anyone else has it, I'd be willing to listen.

EDIT: Updated for those interested. She basically gave me some platitudes that I already knew, but some new ones like "One drink is too many, a thousand is not enough" which really hit home.

She gave me a list of AA meetings in the area and I was shocked at how many there were. Tomorrow night (Saturday) at midnight they have a young people meeting that I'm going to attend just to see what it's like, even though I'm atheist. She said I can use whatever I want as my higher power. I mentioned to her that I've read medical literature that states that anti-depressants (that I use for anxiety) can cause increased alcohol cravings and she said she would help me with my anxiety without pills. So, without the pills, the alcohol cravings may go away, assuming she can control the anxiety. We'll see. $80 for 40 minutes is expensive but it's better than the $150 I'd spend a week on a nice Scotch.

EDIT: Updated #2 for those who care. I didn't attend any AA meetings because I can't get past the spirituality part. I saw the counselor a second time and she didn't help me with the pills, just offered more alcoholic support. I joined a group called SMART (self-management and recovery training?) and they have an online chat that they do daily that helps but i did a little experiment. i stopped taking my anti-depressants and i feel so much better, and the cravings have different "voices" and i don't get drunk anymore. tonight, a friend invited me to a bar and i've been drinking since 6 pm and i can still type, talk and socialize without any problems since i've been off the drugs. now i have a decision to make: either live life with anxiety and no drugs or live life without anxiety and alcoholism/depression? weird, isn't it? anti-depressants make me depressed and alcoholic but take away my anxiety.
such is life.

 

[IronWing]

I hope you make it through. Good luck.

 

[Canai]

I certainly think talking to someone is going to be more help than reading articles and books.

Best of luck to you!

 

[conehead433]

All you have to do is quit. Since you feel like you need help quitting, get it.

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: conehead433
All you have to do is quit. Since you feel like you need help quitting, get it.

I used to think that all I lacked was will power, but when your brain is screaming for alcohol, it's almost impossible to resist.

 

[dug777]

On a more basic level, can you find some work that precludes drinking on a regular basis?

In my work I can get away with a big dinner n drink once every few months at the very most, but any kind of regular week night drinking would see me in a significant amount of trouble...

Best of luck mate :beer:

 

[1sikbITCH]

For me the counseling sessions didn't help at all. What helped was a 12 step program, and as a matter of fact one of the requirements of the counselor was that I bring in my slip every day showing I'd been to a meeting.

 

[mattocs]

Originally posted by: dug777


Best of luck mate :beer:

Haha, lets raise a glass to the alcoholic!

 

[KarmaPolice]

eh well it certainly can't hurt.

I've wondered once and a while if I drink too much, but I never really NEED it, and I don't get drunk very often at all, just a beer every night.

I would say just stop, but I've never been addicted to anything like that.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Here's hoping she has the magical answer. If anyone else has it, I'd be willing to listen.

there isn't a magical answer
don't give up, take it one day at a time, it'll be hard, but you can beat it

 

[homercles337]

So youre going to stop drinking? Im sorry to hear that.

There is a medication, but no psychologist is going to be able to prescribe it. Its called antabuse. Apparently, it makes you violently ill if you drink. However, you have to take it in the first place.

Something else you may want to look into is moderation management. In the states we have this very protestant perspective that abstinence is the only solution. Hence, AA and the belief in god bullshit. MM helps you learn how to drink moderately. Its quite successful is more progressive nations that have healthy views towards alcohol. Good luck!

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: homercles337
So youre going to stop drinking? Im sorry to hear that.

There is a medication, but no psychologist is going to be able to prescribe it. Its called antabuse. Apparently, it makes you violently ill if you drink. However, you have to take it in the first place.

Something else you may want to look into is moderation management. In the states we have this very protestant perspective that abstinence is the only solution. Hence, AA and the belief in god bullshit. MM helps you learn how to drink moderately. Its quite successful is more progressive nations that have healthy views towards alcohol. Good luck!

Yeah I was on Flagyl for a couple weeks, and it can lead to the disulfiram effect, which is what Antabuse causes. I got a couple jolts of the sickness from using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer at work.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: conehead433
All you have to do is quit. Since you feel like you need help quitting, get it.

I used to think that all I lacked was will power, but when your brain is screaming for alcohol, it's almost impossible to resist.

The success rate for treatment programs is exactly the same as it for those who just decide to do it cold turkey. That provides very solid evidence that it is indeed willpower that's the key to making it or failing.

 

[rocadelpunk]

pour some out for our fallen comrade : (


good luck.

 

[MisterJackson]

You went to Clemson, what did you expect . Everyone there is an alchy!

Seriously though dude, it's good that you're taking steps in the right direction. Find your alcohol triggers and change them. Remember, anything you do for 30 days becomes a habit, so replace this bad one with a good one.

Oh, and I'm in Greenville, if you ever need an ear dude, just shout.

Good luck

 

[MyThirdEye]

Best of luck to you.

 

[Muadib]

At least you've admitted that you have a problem. That's the first step, and from what I've seen, the hardest one. Good luck man.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Muadib
At least you've admitted that you have a problem. That's the first step, and from what I've seen, the hardest one. Good luck man.

QFT! Good luck!

 

[IceBergSLiM]

how old are you and how often were you getting drunk.

 

[IGBT]

..beat the bottle. it's only booze for gawds sakes. but it will kill you if you let it.


Text





Alcoholism Effects:

A central role in the toxicity of alcohol may be played by acetaldehyde itself. Although the liver converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid, it reaches a saturation point where some of it escapes into the blood stream. The accumulated acetaldehyde exerts its toxic effects by inhibiting the mitochondria reactions and functions. The alcoholic is a victim of a vicious circle; a high acetaldehyde level impairs mitochondria function, metabolism of acetaldehyde to acetic acid decreases, more acetaldehyde accumulates, and causes further liver damage--hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Recent investigations have suggested that acetaldehyde may be responsible for the development of alcohol addiction. Acetaldehyde in the brain may inhibit enzymes designed to convert certain nerve transmitters from aldehydes to acids. The nerve transmitters that accumulate may then react with the acetaldehyde to form compounds which are startlingly similar to certain morphine-type compounds.

 

[compuwiz1]

Why are you not going inpatient to break the ability to drink for awhile?
Psychologist is good for support, counseling, etc., but I don't see how that's gonna keep you from drinking. The physical addiction needs to be adressed. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. That's why they sometimes have to administer meds to keep the body from having violent reactions to withdrawals.

A family friend and Dr. we used to live near heads up a rehab unit.

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: dug777
On a more basic level, can you find some work that precludes drinking on a regular basis?

In my work I can get away with a big dinner n drink once every few months at the very most, but any kind of regular week night drinking would see me in a significant amount of trouble...

Best of luck mate :beer:

What do you do that a night of drinking would get you in serious trouble? Doctor? Professional athlete?

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Good luck

 

[Feldenak]

Best of luck. Everyone's different but I had a serious alcohol problem for several years. I'm now able to drink moderately but God help me if I relax a bit and relapse to my old behavior.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: conehead433
All you have to do is quit. Since you feel like you need help quitting, get it.

I used to think that all I lacked was will power, but when your brain is screaming for alcohol, it's almost impossible to resist.

The success rate for treatment programs is exactly the same as it for those who just decide to do it cold turkey. That provides very solid evidence that it is indeed willpower that's the key to making it or failing.

That's not really solid evidence unless there's random assignment. It's likely that people who get treatment have been unable to quit cold turkey.