SEVERE Alcohol problem...can anyone help me?

Desperado_2015

Hello.

I have been posting in these forums for years, masquerading as a normal forty-ish mother of three - a lot of you will know me, and I am aware my writing style may give me away. But heyho - I need help. I am very happily married, have the occasional problem with OH, DS x 2 and DD, I have a dog, a pension, I bake (thank you Bake Off) and I make soup (thank you Delia) and I post recipes. I followed Madeleine when she went missing - was flamed by all the theorists - and subsequently shut up for a month. I post questions, and reply to questions - about dental problems, menopause, marriage problems, gay children, problem children, student children...dog poo problems, thinning hair....you name it - I sit here and pontificate on it.

But for me..there is just one HUGE problem. I have been drunk for about seven years. It used to be weekend drunk only. Then it was 'after seven o'clock at night' drunk. For a long time, it was 'oh thank GOD it's five o'clock' drunk. Then the time got earlier and earlier...and now, it's waking up in the morning and 'let's get drunk, just to get through the day'. One glass of red at 9am won't hurt. I don't have to drive, and I never do when drunk, which is why I know I am probably an alcohol 'dependent', instead of a complete, !!!!!! faced, full blown alcoholic.

It all started when I was in my early twenties, and worked for a very British Airline. When you checked in for a flight with ten complete strangers...your only defence when socialising was drink. Get through the flight - then drink. My parents were drinkers. Their parents were drinkers. No excuse I know. But, the point of all this is I have been drinking for YEARS. I guess it was 'cope-able' for a long time, although I always knew I was on the edge. But for seven years..it has been creeping up until I now feel it is out of control.

I recently lost my sister in tragic circumstance, and my father to AD. All that happened was I cried...then drank even more.

I have had enough. I know I have a massive drink problem, and so now, do my family. I recently fell out with my sister in law - purely through drink. I am a gobby, nasty biatch when drunk. I've burned my bridges there - but I need to sort this before my husband - a good, lovely man - gives up on me and so do my kids. I've tried self help. Allen Carr, AA.

Please. Can anyone help? How can I stop drinking before it kills me.

ali-t

Is a detox an option? How aware is your oh? is this something you feel you need to do alone? I used to work in addictions and having your significant others on board will help. A trip to your gp to see what the nhs funds or can priority refer you into would be a good place to start. All the best with your journey x

Desperado_2015

Thanks.

OH is in denial, as I am. Scared to go to GP to admit it all.

Hermoine

There's a brilliant thread elsewhere in the forums, called Giving Up/Cutting down Alcohol. Its in the Debt-free Wannabee area - under Debt-free diaries..
Its full of people having similar battles and being really supportive to each other - so it might be worth posting there?

Desperado_2015

Thank you x

p00hsticks

Desperado_2015 wrote: »

Thanks.

OH is in denial, as I am. Scared to go to GP to admit it all.

As the parter of a non-drinking alocoholic (who hasn't had a drink for 20 years now), I think that unfortunately the first and critical step is to really accept that you have a problem and want to do something about it.

Your post sounds like you are beginning to accept that - I can only wish you the best of luck with it. (My OH also tried AA and found it wasn't for him).

faerielight

AA is a good way to get support and stay sober.. However it sounds as you need to do a 2 or 4 week medical detox.. it can be done inpatient or oputpatient.. it usually imvolves taking Librium tyo stop the DT's and intensive support and medical checks. Once you've done the detox, you need support to stay stopped, Also there are groups called "Smart Groups" which are good too and if you can't get physically to a meeting there are online AA forums.. Being in AA usually involves getting a sponsor, someone further along the recovery road than you are, to meet regularly to go through the steps.. Best of luck.. I went sober 6 years ago, it was hard but it can be done.

nuttywoman

Look up your local drug/alcohol services, they are really supportive and will help , good luck x

FBaby

Desperado_2015 wrote: »

Thanks.

OH is in denial, as I am. Scared to go to GP to admit it all.

Not anymore you are in denial. Well done for fighting the easy feeling of denial. You sound like a very strong lady, so I expect the hardest was to acknowledge the problem. The rest will be determination and will to succeed. You'll get there and will be able to help others here facing the same problem, many who are still in the stage of denial.

Desperado_2015

Thank you all.

I don't get DT's. No alcohol withdrawal symptoms. I can, and have gone days without drinking, then forget all the good intentions and binge.

theoretica

Desperado_2015 wrote: »

Thanks.

OH is in denial, as I am. Scared to go to GP to admit it all.

When or if you go to your GP you can take a short letter for him/her to read, perhaps your post here except for the first paragraph. This might cut down on your embarrassment if that is what you mean by scared?