Alcohol Consumption :: Tapering Off Wine Using Beer
Apr 13, 2016
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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It gets to the point where you know you need to stop, but the thought of stopping is a major step.
Two weeks ago, I decided that enough was enough. My three bottles a day habit was starting to get out of control. I would wake up in the morning and my husband would ask me if I was okay. "Yes of course I'm okay. Why?" "Because you fell over last night." The blackouts were starting to scare me.
Sunday I decided that I would start tapering off the following day. Luckily I have a supportive husband and admitted my problem. He bought me very small lagers and printed out the tapering off method from the internet.
Monday: I had the shakes in the morning after three bottles of wine the day before. Luckily I work from home. I had six beers and stopped myself from buying a bottle of wine in the evening. Really bad sleep, nightmares, palpatations and a constant craving for what I knew would help me.
Tuesday: Didn't really wake up okay as I hadn't slept much. Started work. Had four small beers and didn't crave for wine in the evening. I felt shaky and strange. Went to bed and slept for three hours which was unusual for me.
Wednesday: I woke up feeling different. Almost human. I got loads of work done and didn't want a drink. I had one small beer with my dinner and went to bed. I slept for about four hours, had some water and went back to sleep. Amazing.
Thursday: Well I've been a good girl this week. I'll treat myself to a glass of wine. Big mistake. Two bottles down.
Friday: We're going away this weekend. I could just not drink during the week surely? Another two bottles of wine. A few shots at the local........
A week later I'm back where I started.
My problem is that I am scared of stopping. I now know that I can get through the tapering off method without life threatening withdrawals but I contradict myself constantly. My mum has Alzheimer's. I'm helping her, so I need a drink. Oh, I've had a bad day so I deserve a glass of wine, or six. My child is disabled. I deserve a drink because I've had a bad day. The cycle is endless.
I went to the GP yesterday and cried. I told him (it was a locum) that I had a problem. I explained that I couldnt sleep without a drink. I have nightmares (because of my PTSD) and my stomach is playing havoc with my life. He said, "Obviously you have IBS." I said, "Obviously?" He said, "Well yes. you don't drink enough for it to affect your stomach." I walked out of the surgery saying, "Well thanks anyway."
Sorry for the long post but I am really trying and wanted some advice/encouragement to try this tapering off again next week. Does it work? Has anyome done it successfully?
I have already applied to be a patient for a different surgery and will be honest with them too. Hopefully they will point me in the right direction.
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Just wondering if anybody knows if ok to drink with thus drug. When I say drink, I mean a maximum of one bottle of beer with a meal or glass of wine. Don't really drink at all and haven't had one for couple if months so no big deal if don't, just going on holliday soon and might have a glass if beer then
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I've been drinking every night for about 3-4 years (not great with dates). It started off as a bottle of wine a night, then a load of beer, then not so much, then more, then not so much and... You know how it goes.
Recently (in the last week) I've cut it down to 4 little bottles of beer per night (330ml, 5% stuff). I've tried to taper off before, with little success, but this time after seeing a counsellor and really exploring why I drink I feel better equipped mentally to follow through with this idea.
My problem is this... Obviously the thought of the potential withdrawal is paralysingly frightening (as it has been for most of you, I'm guessing), and because of my severe anxiety I am super aware of every little thing my body feels. It's hard for me to distinguish between anxiety symptoms, and withdrawal symptoms. For example: shakiness, headaches, confusion and general 'out of it' feelings...
I don't want to just say to myself 'oh it's just anxiety, I have nothing to worry about' (WHICH IS WHAT I'VE BEEN TRAINING MY MIND TO DO) if the symptoms COULD be signs of severe withdrawal. Has anyone on here ever dealt with this combination of things?
I don't really know what I was hoping to accomplish from this post (my minds a little scrambled right now). I think I just need this forum as a distraction and for some hope right now.
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More than a little will affect your BMs!
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just started gabapentin for nerve pain 5 days ago. Have a disk pressing on nerve causing wicked pins and needles in my leg. Am not feeling any relief yet. Can you have a glass or two of wine while on this medicine?
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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 take about 10mg in all on most days, but I still weaken to just a VERY small glass of wine in the evening, anybody else do this I know I shouldn't really but kind of look forward to it.
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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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I had my first beer (age - 15) I didn't have a full one but I drank it somewhat quickly. That night I did eat some junk food. And when I went to bed I couldn't sleep. I wasn't tired at all and my stomach hurt a ton. It hurt in my stomach but I thought it was something like HAV but I have no clue. I really didn't sleep at all and now it's the next morning and I have no appetite and I feel I'll throw up if I eat. Also last night I took a few pepto bismo that didn't help. I was also gaging.
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I'm 19 years old.
My doctor prescribed me Xanax 0.25 mg, only for stressful situations, but I feel that 0.25mg it's having no effect at all.
This Sunday I'm going to camp with my friends and I feel very anxious when I'm waiting on lines and my legs shake because of that. So I want to try 0.5mg of Xanax to help my anxiety. But we use to drink beer all day, but not in an way to get severely drunk. Like 8 or 9 beers. So, If I take Xanax 0.5 mg in the morning, and during the day drink beer, will it be a bad interaction?
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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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I'm 23yr I was very off to my schedule this month, I drank a too much of beer, involved in physical relation with my bf, did a little if work out n changed dietary N now facing the symptoms I have not got my periods this month...took the test also, it's negative , do think think it's related to alcohol?? Please help me get my periods coz I have never missed them or have never faced a delay of this long (4 days).
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I have had systemic Lupus for just over a year and have been told that smoking and alcohol r not good at all for Lupus and that this is why I am feeling the way I am?
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