Alcoholism

[AlP]

I'm alcoholic. I know there are rules against posting while drunk. Sorry, I do this on a regular basis. But I bet you all can't always tell. I haven't drunk less than 10 beers in a day for over a year. I don't feel normal during the day because I need alcohol to feel normal. So as I said, I'm alcoholic. I'm on 10 beers right now. The trouble is most of the available "treatments" (is it even an illness?) seem useless to me. They require that I accept a higher power. The last time I went into a chemical dependency recovery program, my therapist insisted that I choose a "higher power". I said that I didn't believe in a higher power. She said that it didn't matter, I could choose anything as a higher power. Her example was my shoes. My shoes! What the fuck! This all seems to be based on the perceived benefits of the religious AA program. I want help, not belief in my shoes having a higher power. Any pointers? Is there a particular kind of psychologist that deals with chemical dependency?

[Ultima22689]

I know i'm going to sound like a drug dealer but try weed, it's tons better for you then alcohol or some AA meeting. I persuaded my Dad, a man who has been an alcoholic for 30 years to try it and he used weed for about six months, he pretty much replaced alcohol with weed and after those six months or so had passed he stopped smoking which has no withdrawal effects. Worked like a charm.

[Whitney]

AIP, first, I'm sorry about your having to deal with this; I'm sure it is very difficult.  The no posting drunk rule is for those that can't control themselves while in that state, I've posted while drinking in the past as well...the rule was actually specifically added due to that maes....., forgot the rest of the sn, fellow who seemed to only post when he was so drunk he couldn't control himself.

I would suggest researching if withdrawals from stopping drinking are dangerous and also typically how long it takes your system get past the withdrawls.  Assuming it is safe, take that block of time off from work and just do whatever you have to do to keep your mind off the withdrawls (or whatever you have to do to deal with them if they are bad)...just make sure whatever you use is of lesser harm than the alcohol and that it is non-addictive (no need to replace one addiction with another).  Just remember that the withdrawals will pass and then you will feel better about yourself.

The AA higher power stuff is bullshit...the only point of the higher power idea is to give people a reason to pull themselves together and use their own willpower to stop.  So, just cut out the higher power and get straight to the working on your willpower.

[Ninteen45]

heh, South park.

[MommaSquid]

AlP, have you tried tapering off gradually?  You said you need 10 drinks to feel normal.  Try 9 drinks per day for a week.  Then try 8 per day the following week...etc.  No higher power needed.  Everything you need to accomplish your goals is already inside of you.  (Does that sound new-agey and weird?)

Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

[AlP]

I've done this a few times before =). My psychology book says (I think - don't have it handy) the withdrawal is due to prolonged use of alcohol changing the balance of dopamine in your brain. With time, the dopamine is only at the normal level when you consume sufficient alcohol. If you don't drink, it's out of whack and you feel really shitty. It feels kind of like the day after you only got 2 hours sleep. Also, it's next to impossible to get to sleep, which makes you feel doubly worse =(.

There is an aspect of willpower to it of course. But it is partly physiological and psychological as well. Our bodies keep track of various things like whether we're hungry and drive us to keep them in balance (at the set point). The body of an alcoholic "thinks" the dopamine level is out of balance when they're sober and drives them to "correct" it. So it's kind of like willing yourself not to eat when you're really hungry and there's plenty of food available.

Yeah maybe I'll try the cutting back idea. If nobody minds I'll post my daily intake on this thread. It might help keep me honest.

[Sheeplauncher]

Good luck sir...

[Whitney]

Yeah maybe I'll try the cutting back idea. If nobody minds I'll post my daily intake on this thread. It might help keep me honest.

Sounds like a great idea.  I did that with cigs and it has made just stopping a lot easier...but I am having trouble falling asleep.  It also helps that I now have a friend that will give me a really hard time if she ever sees me smoking again....she threw her purse at me the other night when I had one cig when were were out drinking.

[Loffler]

I'm alcoholic. I know there are rules against posting while drunk. Sorry, I do this on a regular basis. But I bet you all can't always tell. I haven't drunk less than 10 beers in a day for over a year. I don't feel normal during the day because I need alcohol to feel normal. So as I said, I'm alcoholic. I'm on 10 beers right now. The trouble is most of the available "treatments" (is it even an illness?) seem useless to me. They require that I accept a higher power. The last time I went into a chemical dependency recovery program, my therapist insisted that I choose a "higher power". I said that I didn't believe in a higher power. She said that it didn't matter, I could choose anything as a higher power. Her example was my shoes. My shoes! What the fuck! This all seems to be based on the perceived benefits of the religious AA program. I want help, not belief in my shoes having a higher power. Any pointers? Is there a particular kind of psychologist that deals with chemical dependency?

Get the hell out of AA. They will not help you. Current alcoholics and recovering alcoholics can be good for support, but you need a doctor. Alcoholism is a medical issue requiring medical treatment.

Yes there are plenty of psychologists who specialize in dependency, but you need a regular medical doctor. This is not a simple issue; non-alcoholics and even non-medical experts don't understand just what an intricate relationship alcoholics have with alcohol.

Withdrawal, as a general rule of thumb, typically involves the opposite symptoms of the drug. It's not a very well-known fact, but alcohol withdrawal is one of the only withdrawals that can actually kill you. It needs to be performed under controlled conditions.

Don't approach this as a fault issue or weakness issue. Approach it like you have fallen into a 10' hole. You can either gather people around the hole who berate you ("Why did you fall in the hole? You should have looked where you were going!"), gather people who support you ("Climb out! You can do it!") or call a professional with a ladder who does this for a living and won't judge you. They'll just get you out.

Call your doctor or a general practitioner tomorrow and tell them your situation. Tell them exactly how much alcohol you drink every day. He will be able to give you real medical expertise so you can start building a normal life.

[AlP]

Thanks Loffler. I've been in this situation a few times before and called my doctor those times. A prescription for Librium would be helpful. But my experiences with therapy make me reluctant. And, at least with my health insurance, I can't see a psychiatrist without first going through a therapist. If the gradual reduction idea fails, I'll do it though. I see no alternative. I know the gradual reduction, or at least the institution of quotas, is viewed as a symptom of alcoholism. But there's no way I'm going back into therapy without trying every other option. Also, reducing my intake gradually avoids the possibility of death from withdrawal as far as I know.

[Loffler]

There is no easy answer to alcoholism. It clings to you tightly and doesn't want to let go.

[AlP]

11 beers tonight

[Renegnicat]

As an atheist, you realize that there is no higher-power.

You also realize there is no magic pill for your problems. You're on your own, and if you fail to solve your problems, then you fail. They won't go away if you ignore them. You might even die. But you still didn't solve them.

And that's the point. You either solve your problems or you don't. If you're an atheist, then there is nothing there to lean on, except maybe friends and family.

But hey, that's good enough, right? I'm rooting for you.

Oh, and if it were me, I'd go cold turkey. None of this, "gradual" bs. If I'm going to succeed, then that is the ultimate test.  

[LoneMateria]

Oh, and if it were me, I'd go cold turkey. None of this, "gradual" bs. If I'm going to succeed, then that is the ultimate test.  

It was stated above that alcohol withdrawal can kill you.  Cold turkey in AlP's case might not be best.  Good luck AlP were all cheering you on.  If you get frustrated just talk with us about it ^_^.  We will support you even though we are no where near you.

[Whitney]

Oh, and if it were me, I'd go cold turkey. None of this, "gradual" bs. If I'm going to succeed, then that is the ultimate test.  

It was stated above that alcohol withdrawal can kill you.  Cold turkey in AlP's case might not be best.  Good luck AlP were all cheering you on.  If you get frustrated just talk with us about it ^_^.  We will support you even though we are no where near you.

For anyone that is truly addicted and doesn't just prefer having something over not having it; cold turkey is going to be very hard even if it weren't dangerous.  There is nothing wrong with knowing your limits and taking steps to success rather than one giant leap.  The main thing is to plan a path, follow it, and know how to get back on the path if you hit a bump.