How to stop drinking.

Sian, can you answer these questions to help us better advise you?:

How much do you drink a day?

Do you drink all day or only in the evenings?

Do you get any withdrawal symptoms when you don't have a drink for a couple of days?

It creeps up on you. I was always the one who wanted an extra drink, or a drink before going out at night, then one after coming home. Buying a bottle of wine to share with my husband, but actually buying two so I had more without my family knowing. That was over 25 years ago and alcohol soon took over. I suffer with anxiety and sometimes have episodes where it's so bad I start drinking. I've learned I'm not alcohol dependant, but enjoy social drinking. From personal experience I know how it can take over, without you realising it.

Hi Sian the best way I can describe myself is an all or nothing person. I couldn't have one glass of wine and put the bottle back in the fridge, I had to finish it. A couple of months ago, I went to see my GP as I'd had a couple of anxiety episodes quite close together where I would drink heavily and then not drink at all. Apart from feeling slightly sick the next day, I didn't have withdrawal symptons during the weeks I didn't drink. My GP referred me to the substance abuse clinic. I had an assessment there, and they said I was not alcohol dependant but suggested CBT with the follow on support team. It was the quickest route to getting counselling for anxiety through the substance abuse clinic, and I'm now on the waiting list.

like Paul says your GP is your first port of call, I think, or rather I was told that recognising your alcohol consumption is becoming a problem is half the battle. It's a very powerful thing alcohol, if not caught in time, it's taken over your life.

Good for you. If you're doing this for yourself, you stand a much better chance of success than giving up because family and husband are concerned. I didn't have to sit down and tell my husband, he knew all along, as did close friends and family. My kids always knew from an early age. We stopped a lot of socialising at pubs, but close friends would invite us round with no pressure to drink at all. My best friend never had an alcoholic drink in front of me and never judged me. Other so called 'friends' we don't see anymore. I had two glasses of wine on Saturday, it was my birthday and also my sons as well. I've not felt the need or wanted anything since then. I will do the same this Saturday and Christmas Day. My key worker drew up a plan where I could stick to 3 glasses of wine and soda, but only had two. I have also knocked brandy coffees on the head after a meal out. Am pleased you've made an appointment with your GP, so good luck with that. I have to keep an alcohol diary which shows nothing apart from two glasses of wine in just over a month. I asked about the drug nalmefeme (excuse spelling!) but was told I didn't drink enough to warrant taking it!

Hi sian, I am experiencing a similar time in my life. Boyfriend read me the riot act about alcohol yesterday. Feeling ashamed and very flat, I felt like a worthless person after the conversation. I am a working Mum, and like you drink at night to "deal" with stress of the day. Find myself buying 2 bottles  at a time , and drinking 2/3 of a bottle most nights. I am getting my head around that I am abusing alcohol - face my fears that I have for a lot of years since a family member died of cancer. Realising the alcohol night before draining my energy and making me anxious. 

I am in Australia and have not heard of the medications you are discussing.