The giving up/cutting down alcohol support thread! Part 2

graemecarter

Oz264 wrote: »

Evening all. First post here. I need to ask a couple of questions; firstly, does anybody take Citalopram or know anybody that takes it? My wife has been prescribed it by our GP for depression. However she is an alcoholic (GP knows) who has been into rehab for 6 weeks about 18 months ago and recently packed in the booze for 7 weeks again..with the help of Citalopram and also Chlordiazepoxide. Hooray, life was good!!...for a while...but she's recently started drinking on the sly again, unfortunately. It's causing real problems in respect of issues of trust etc, but my problem now is that my wife appears to be drunk some of the time (usually in the evenings) and i really can't be sure if she's actually had a drink or two behind my back or whether its the drug. Unfortunately she has a track record of lying to me about the booze, hence the trust issues. I really want to believe that her apparent drunkeness is caused by the drug but find it difficult to believe. Has anybody had any experience of this?
Thanks.

Questions like this should be directed to those in the medical profession as well as a forum.
My opinion is no more valid than a man on the streets, but it seems to me your wife has alcoholism (which I believe to be a disease) and the key symptom of alcoholism is not being able to stop drinking.
This will make her dishonest, and she is not being deliberately like this - she is ill.
Just support her in her efforts to get better, but be aware that if she doesn't want to stop drinking, then there is nothing you can do.

eselt

Hi all

Oz- Chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine used for the relief of anxiety and acute alcohol withdrawal- you usually only get a short term supply to help you over the first few days and reduce the physical withdrawal symptoms. When I took Citalopram for depression I didn't feel drunk even though I was still drinking, but I suppose everyone reacts differently? Sounds like your wife has/is going through a very tough time- my alcohol counsellor used to say to me that relapse is a common part of the process and it was important that each time I relapsed I learnt something from it which would help me in the future. I had 7 detox's before I managed to stop drinking, and since I've stopped my depression has completely gone. Keep at it, throw everything you can at this illness and eventually something will stick. Crossing my fingers for you and your wife.

Keep going everyone, you are all doing really well, wagon is fit to burst.

**Upsy_Daisy**

Er - not quite Eselt

I fell off when out last night at Sainsburys, I had to go out and buy presents for DS to take to a birthday party this afternoon, times are hard and parents are doubling up on parties, fine but that means 2 presents instead of 1

I usually spend a tenner on presents, would it be mean of me to only spend a fiver each?
I spent £7.49 each but would like some guidance on the protocol

Anyway, one redeeming feature was that the wine had a cork so took a bit longer to open:rolleyes:

I'm being a good girl today and even went to the Gym to atone

So it's still 3/31 for me - I have 10 more AF days before the end of the month.
Are there enough days left in March for 10 AF days?

FluffyBish - I would like to give up completely - OH doesn't drink at all but for now I am going to try and limit my intake to twice weekly, I have recently joined the gym which is £36 per month so I have to have a minimum of 6 AF days each month to break even
:T :T Congratulations on exceeding your target:T :T

NoyNoy - Hoping your preggie tests (eventually) give you the result you want - I suppose you are PUPO (Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise)

Budgetbabe - thanks for your good wishes - I feel a bit sad that I fell at the first hurdle

I did feel rough this morning, it helped remind me why I don't want to carry on like this.
The good thing about going to the gym is that the bells don't ring for a while afterwards, to be honest, after last night I don't think they'll be ringing at all tonight

GC Thanks for your usual words of wisdom, I've read many of your posts while trawling back and you do seem to hit the right spot

I think I might go out to H and B tomorrow to look for Kudzo - how long does it take to kick in?

Have a good evening all, I'll try to check in later

UD XX

fluffyb

Upsy Daisy I am not sure how long the Kudzo takes to kick in - I couldn't find any info on that, but I told myself it would work from day 1 [a cutting down day] and I had 1 glass less than normal that day and the next day. By the third day I poured myself a glass of wine and forgot all about it :eek: They seem to have built up for me and the AF days are getting easier. I am not saying it stops the cravings completely every night but I am finding it much easier to have AF days without them. I have been taking them 3 or 4 weeks now and it helps so much not having those awful cravings in the evening :T

I think the secret is to tell yourself they are going to work straightaway and then expect them to have an even better effect as time goes on

the_rugby_coach

blimey, not finding the time to login at the moment. Its been 7 days and I still haven't caught up with the thread from then :eek:

This will be brief too I'm afraid

AFDs - 1
1 drink - 1
2 drinks - 3
>3 drinks - 2

Total AFDs now 7/18 but moderation much much better

TRC

Pippilongstocking

dunno who's about by my bells are dingdongdingadingdonging

Shoved down a couple kudzo
Put myself on the sofa with shoes off and lying down so the effort to actually go out in the cold and dark will require some considerable maneovering
Am really tired so hping i may even doze off until 10

away to distract myself by doing my 6month on the mainland shopping list that I need to sort and will update my diary on here - then hopefully it will be too late to buy any wine.

Self sabbotage - I like it.

Waves hope you are all good xx

fluffyb

Good luck Fay - you don't want to go out - it's freeeezing out there :eek:

Keep busy and doze - whatever it takes.

My husband is away overnight on business tonight and I don't sleep well when he is not here so usually have a drink to help me sleep. I have been very very tempted tonight and nearly gave in but didn't :j So, I'm watching 10 years younger, going to have a hot chocolate in
a bit and a very early night with a new book Soooooo 11 AFD's for me please

That will be it for me then until next Monday. I will be on the naughy bench tomorrow,Saturday and Sunday but counting every unit I drink and sticking to the recommended units

Hope everyone is doing ok xx

Pippilongstocking

HI FB

thus far OK am trying to wrok out exact quanties for my mega shop in early April (on the mainland for a week so I am on wiht a car and can stock up - but won't be on again until July/August)

well done on your AFD's

fedupandskint

AF again for me tonight making it 13/24 AFD for March.

Another 11 to go to reach the target and only 12 days left to achieve it! Ho hum tumpty tum, will I get there or will I be evicted from the AF House for non achievement?

Fay, I'm sat here in the cold too - no wine bells ringing for me however Friday nights are another thing completely and they ring loudly.

Can allow one drinking day this weekend only if I am to reach the target. I've been invited out on Fri and Sat night next week and if I drive it means I will be AF all weekend as won't drink on Sunday so could still get there this way. Will see how I feel later on next week.

**Upsy_Daisy**

Sending vibes up your way and acroos the waters - not long till 10

6 monthly shopping trip:eek: :eek:

How long have you been living there - did it take much getting used to?

How much do you usually spend on your megashop?

Sorry - questions questions

UD xx