Alcohol Consumption :: Living With A Recovering Alcoholic
Nov 9, 2015
I have lived with my partner for the past 4 years and when I met him he liked a drink, but at the time, it seemed just sociably. As the relationship progressed, so did his drinking, if we were out socially he would end up so drunk and quite embarrassing on a number of occasions. The drinking stepped up a notch when we bought our own place and for the past 3 years it has become a problem within the home more times than I care to mention, going from barely being able to speak, not wanting to do anything unless there was alcohol involved in the activity, making promises and reneging on them, wetting the bed, starting arguments when there was nothing to argue about, the culmination of this behaviour has been that 2 weeks ago he moved into the spare bedroom where he drank a bottle of vodka every night on his own, only to pop downstairs to start an arguement with my sons or me. I told him I wanted out, house to go on the market and go our separate ways. With that he made an appointment to see his doctor, who in turn said if he continues drinking what he drinks, he will be lucky to live beyond another 4 years... he is only 40 years old. He has confessed to me since the visit to the doctors that he's always drunk more than he should and has struggled with alcohol for the past 20 odd years. He has moved to his parents to start his detox and has to go back to the doctors in two weeks to let him know progress there has been, also he's been to a meeting with Inclusion, previously Homer, it was just an initial chat, they have given him some material to look through. He will go through an assessment following on from the next doctors appointment, and will then be assigned a key worker who he can chat to and will support him. I suppose what I want to know is how I'm supposed to behave towards him, whilst I still have feelings for him, I'm not sure I want to sign up to be with him forever as I just can't believe he will never touch a drop again. He's emailing me saying he still loves me and wants to get married when he's sober, but what's the reality of that? Do I tell him the truth that I can't stay with him or do I give him time to start the road to recovery without any stress from me?
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I'm 34 years old and have been drinking socially since I was about 17. For about the last 6 years I have been drinking more heavily. An average week night 3 pints, but often 4 maybe 5. On a very good night just 2. At the weekends I would have 4-6 pints Friday, Saturday, Sunday, but its sometimes hits 9, that's without going on a night out. So, on average, about 30 pints. I also suffer with anxiety, and recently its been really bad. The anxiety is horrible, I feel panicked, overwhelmed and nervous about things that I should be happy about, I get strong feelings of guilt from things I've done in the past that, whilst it was wrong to do these things, it doesn't really matter to anyone. I feel like I cant lie in case I feel guilty after so I end up owning up to stupid things, such as spending a tenna in the betting shop. Its worse after drinking, so I drink more to help ease it, then feel like rubbish the next day so I drink again, then I'm in a vicious circle. I do enjoy a drink but most of the time I drink its unnecessary and to make myself feel better and calm down the anxiety. Its now got to the point where I've had enough of feeling like this so I have decided to cut down, and hopefully stop drinking altogether. I went 12 days a few weeks ago and was starting to feel better halfway through, but felt a bit flat and fed up. I went 5 days last week and the same thing happened. This week I have gone 3 days and so far I feel terrible, worse than ever, its not easing off like it usually does. The last two nights I've not slept, I keep twitching and jumping in the night. My hands feel like I have constant pins and needles and I feel dizzy. As well as the usual anxiety feelings. I'm going on holiday Saturday and I'm worried about being stuck on the plane for 2 hours, and I get anxious about being with my girlfriend who I love very much, for a few days, its ridiculous! She knows how I feel and is supportive, so is my mum, so I do have people to speak to. The doctor gave beta blockers yesterday but I don't like taking pills and worried it will make me feel worse. I know I'm not the only one who is like this and I know the booze is probably the reason why I'm like this, but how long is it going to last and what if its not the booze? Does anyone have any advice?
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I am a mature adult female, I drink heavily. I'm a functioning alcoholic. I do not drink before work or when I have an appointment. But after I'm done for the day I often drink to the point where I cannot remember the next day. I have developed a tremor, that's an easy way of saying it, I shake during the day. Even after I've had nothing to drink for 4 or 5 days it persists. This is something that I noticed with my mother, who was also a functioning alcoholic later on in her life. I noticed it later on in her life. I'd like to know, is this a given for alcoholics or should I be looking for a deeper meaning?
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I am a 48 year old man and on average i drink about 10 bottles of wine a week. i feel fine look fine & am very healthy, but in gov stats i'm an alcoholic.
Why is this, i work abroad a lot (Spain) where wine consumption is the norm.
I exercise 5hrs a week my weight in 11 to 11 1/2 stone. If i drink white or rose wine i make them spritzers 3rd sparkling water, 3rd wine & a 3rd ice, if i drink red then i drink a glass of still water with each glass. I also drink good beer maybe 20 to 30 bottles instead of wine for 3 days a week & drink the same amount of water with each bottle, i never have a hangover, feel sluggish. i don't eat junk food drink tea or coffee or popfizz drinks i only eat freash foods no packets or takeaways i make my own. So tell me is my lifestyle wrong?
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I am interested if Viagra can be taken after an alcohol consumption. Do you think it is dangerous?
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After many tries at stopping, today I decided enough is enough. I've felt very alone dealing with this issue, but obviously trying to stop on my own hasn't worked. I also don't want to go to my doctor because I don't want it on my health record. I'm hoping talking about it with other people will help this time stick. So, here's my story. This is my first time being totally honest and telling it. I'm a 42 year old woman. I've worked up to drinking about 4-5 shots of vodka almost every day. My liver hurts, my face is getting an overall red tone and I've almost really messed up my marriage by picking nasty fights with my husband while drunk and flirting with a friend of his once also while drunk which thank God the friend never told my husband. I drink when making dinner or when doing art (I"m an artist). The buzz puts me in a good mood to face the doldrums of housework and gets my creativity flowing, so I'm going to have to figure out how to not do that. The reason today is hopefully the day is that last night I woke up to find my husband not in the bed. I thought he was up playing video games. But in the morning he came back into the bedroom with his pillow and blanket. I'd forgotten that I got so drunk the previous night that I'd picked a fight with him so bad that he went and slept on the couch. On so many levels, that about sums up the things that terrify me about what alcohol does. So, today I'm doing two things I've never done - talking to others about my problem and making a contract with myself. Here's what my contract says:
" I, __________, have decided to stop drinking alcohol as of today, July 1, 2015. I have chosen this goal because, today, I am afraid of alcohol. I am afraid of the damage it has already caused to my body, marriage, friendships and life, of my inability to stop, and of the potential it has to make things much worse.
If I don’t stop drinking, I WILL lose the things that I treasure most - the love, admiration and friendship of my husband, the roof over my head and the food that he provides, my memory and ability to think clearly, the healthy functioning of my body, my physical beauty, and the ability and motivation to live life to the fullest.
If I stop drinking, I will be vibrantly strong, beautiful and active! I will be proud of myself and able to fulfill my life’s purpose. Not one more drink.
My husband wants me to be able to drink like a normal person like he does (a few on the weekends) but he doesn't understand that what I really need is to not be around alcohol. He loves me (well, not so much after last night) but isn't supportive in that way, so that's something else I have to deal with. He thinks I should be able to just decide not to drink and refuses to not have his bottle of Scotch in the kitchen when I've asked repeatedly not to have any alcohol in the house. In order not to drink his Scotch and to hide how much I drink, I've been keeping a bottle of vodka in my art studio. Both sides of my family are full of alcoholics. My mother has turned into the family pariah and my dad hates her because of her drinking. I don't want to turn into her or their dead marriage!
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Today is day 1 one of my recovery. I have tried to give up alcohol a few times before but hopefully this time will be different. I'm 28 years old and have drank almost every day for 13 years. There are times when i think i'm controlling it and other periods where it's controlling me. I'm getting to the age now though where I need to accept that drink isn't a good fit for me and needs to be left behind. Whilst almost all my happiest memories are of good drinking/drug taking sessions so are all my worst and i can't be bothered with the shame, sickness and anxiety and having no food in the house anymore (as well as all the other problems it brings that we all know them intimately). I no longer want to be defined by alcohol. I want to pursue my other interests and be healthy and happy.
I have been to AA but like so many other on this forum the higher power element it doesn't sit well so if anyone has any tips for me I would be extremely grateful.
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Although I'm trying to cut down etc and make my life better which I am , I'm suffering the most terrible nightmares!
Since I moved to my new house last August I've had the most terrible dreams ! Has anybody experienced sleep paralysis ?? I've researched this as have experienced this before but recently in this house I have periods where its terrible ! Last night was awful but I coped better because I knew what was happening , although awful ! . I don't want to explain exactly what happens because I don't want people thinking of this before they sleep . Just wondered if this was linked to drinking ?? I think this is perhaps linked to psychosis ?? I'm worried . I drink a bottle of wine a night , sometimes more but not normally and have done for 15 years . There is a family history of alcohol addiction plus mental health in my family!
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i have had an alcohol problem for years. I've had a gp controlled year and a half being able to " keep control" Now I find myself way OUT of control. Has anyone got any advice on how to deal with this ?
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Today is my 9th Day alcohol free. I have successfully detoxed at home with the support of my local alcohol recovery Centre and my excellent GP.
I have to say this is my that was my third detox, The 1st two being in a secure unit.
I have agreed with my alcohol support worker that I will visit one group session a week for at least six weeks. I also have to see my MH Key worker every week and my doctor every month.
I'm not too sure what the expect with the Campral but hope it will help to ease the cravings. I'm pleased that the weather is okay at the moment as I'm trying to distract myself with gardening. I've got so many little projects on the go I'm flitting around just trying to do something different in the afternoons when I would normally be starting drinking.
First steps towards abstinence.
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I've been drinking since I was 14. I'm now 39. For most of that time I've been a binge drinker. Often, like 2 or 3 times a month, drinking till I can't remember how I got home or what I was saying or doing. Now I drink most nights. Not loads every night but I do think about drinking most days and look forward to the next time I can get melted.
Recently it's been affecting my relationship. My girlfriend has warned me that my drinking could be the end of our relationship. I love her more than anything but still I can't stop drinking. Sometimes I lie about what I've drunk or I hide empty bottles from her. I've promised myself I'll cut down or I'll just have a couple instead of loads, but it never works.
I think it's now the time to stop all together but I'm not sure I can. I have a lot of good friends but socialising with them usually involves a night in the pub and I don't think I could do that without getting drunk.
I've also been trying to stop smoking for about 10 years and haven't really managed that either! I think I have an addictive personality and not sure what to try next.
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I've been sober 90 days. I just wanted to share it somewhere, to mark it somehow... I hope it doesn't sound (too) self-congratulating.
I was never sure that counting days was a good idea - I try not to dwell on how long it's been but I can't help it really!
It feels like a big moment (a quarter of a year!) but as ever I'm taking each day as it comes, being careful not to get complacent. Sometimes I go days on end without temptation, some days the temptation is like a fly buzzing in front of my face. Only last night, when I was feeling quite down in the dumps, the temptation to have a drink was suddenly very strong indeed. I just kept thinking 'oh go on, you've done so well - a couple of cans of lager would really take the edge off and you've earned it'.
For me, exercise has really helped. Booking an early morning exercise class for when I'm a bit stressed creates the impetus to have an early night. A couple of friends have said 'you're getting addicted to exercise' - maybe true but as I now know there are worse things to get addicted to!
I've been having treatment for anxiety for a few years, and I've been surprised at how going sober has lessened my overall anxiety. My old notion that alcohol de-stressed me was a myth I had come to believe. Last month I overcame my fear of flying and got on a plane for the first time in 10 years. I can't link this *directly* to sobriety but maybe it isn't a coincidence.
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Oh well... here we go again. Miserable as can be. I am taking my medication, like a good angel... BUT... why am I still having "BLIPS"? I have just "lost it". Units, Schumitz !! Mega... lost it. I had wine today... and more and more and more. I am trying to beat the demon drink, but I think it may be a lost cause.
How can I still drink to excess, while taking Selincro/Nalmefene? I thought things were improving ... when... glug, glug, glug, NOT IMPROVING. Has anyone else been on this "roller coaster"?
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Okay. So the last time I posted on here I was tapering off wine using beer. That doesn't work. I had one day when I had one beer, was really proud of myself, then had three bottles of my favourite wine to celebrate the next day.
I've tried reducing my intake, as recommended by some lovely people on here. I have come down from three bottles to two. I actually had less than a bottle one day last week and felt really good the next day. Well, as you all know, the next day I celebrated my less than one bottle of wine day by drinking a hell of a lot more.
I have been to my doctor. I was told that what I was drinking wasn't enough to worry about. The fact that I have stomach problems, palpitations, night sweats must be due to my age. He prescribed me with peppermint oil!
Yes, I might be on the perimenopause, I'm 45. But I can't get any help from my GP. I have PTSD. All my GP did was double my dose of my usual medication, prescribe me peppermint oil and send me home. Is it always this difficult to get help?
Are there any other methods I can try to get off this damn demon alcohol?
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Heavy alcohol consumption can cause lack of Vitamin D.
I know we talk about vitamins to take during recovery...folic acid...Vitamin B...Vitamin C...B12...Thiamine....but I haven't seen vitamin D.
My Vit D reading was very low...18ng/mL...the low range shouldn't be lower than 30 ng/mL. My Dr. has called in a supplement.
A lack of this vitamin can cause various problems...one of them Gastrointestinal..which I have been struggling with since November of last year.
Vitamin D (lack) can also cause soreness in our bodies...bones and joints...which I also have. Indicated for health of heart and bones.
I posted this for anyone recovering...or not...to consider a Vitamin D discussion with your Dr. Because taking too much can be harmful and not having enough can also be harmful...to the point of causing cancer (if you don't have enough).
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I am so disappointed in myself I detoxed as a inpatient in the middle of June it was a two week detox which I was really ill I fitted and was taken in a serious Condition to a general hospital I was in intensive care and my organs were shutting down as my liver is seriously damaged but I am still here Thank god telling you guys my story I have posted in the past on this forum so some of you might know my story but after all of what I have gone through and even been told not to drink alcohol ever in my life I slipped up on sat and been on a bender for three days it was the anniversary of my father's death and now I can't stay of it I drink a couple litres of cider and a bottle wine a day I don't know what to do I know I should not drink but I just can't stop.
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I'm aware that, genetically, we inherit traits that include the ability to process alcohol differently depending on heritage. My question is this; Do these variations of tolerance make any difference to the physiological/psychological damage? My gut feeling is that they don't, it's just that I rarely see or hear much about this aspect.
I'm 65, drink 150-200 units weekly and, unsurprisingly, have alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy.
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i went to my GP this week armed with all the info on Nalmefene and asked her to prescribe it to me. Explained that I had been in touch with SMC and the NHS but all this fell on deaf ears. She admitted she was clueless about the medicine and stated that she would need to have a conversation with my Alcohol Support worker. They have since both agreed that it will not be something they are willing to prescribe as the feel I need complete abstinence and doing this gradually is not helpful.
So the idea of dropping two units daily did not go well. Within one week I came full circle. Got down to 10 units and couldn't bear the withdrawal. Stayed at that for a few days before increasing once again. My alcohol worker stated that this was a test, to see if I was able to reduce on my own, which I clearly am not at this present time.
Now I have a home detox booked for two weeks time. Still clueless on who will be my support over the first three days as all my friends have young children and family members aren't real an option due to their locality and jobs. The plan is to start Antabuse after the detox, I'm done telling them how I feel about Antabuse.
Feeling hopeful, excited at the prospect of being alcohol free, whilst very fearful and grieving at the upcoming loss of my best friend and reliant.
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I have just got through a one week detox using Chlordiazepoxide prescribed by the doctor after 6 months in counselling. I've drunk or misused substances for 15 years. The problem is as I can't sleep I'm still drinking. I'm not sure what to do next, another detox..? Bern keeping distracted so only drink in evenings after 7pm. Has anyone else struggled or succeeded at detox first attempt?
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I need help to stop binge drinking before i loose my family and job?
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I went to my Doctor last night about my anxiety and admitted I drink around 2-4 beers every night and about 6-10 beers on weekends and all of a sudden she said that's abuse. Now I have to see a anxiety and drugs and alcohol counsellor. She also said I shouldn't be drinking at all with this medication i take called Olanzapine 5mg.
In your opinion is that abuse? I don't feel bad from drinking that much really.
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