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I've been drinking at least two bottles of wine most days now

Posted , 12 users are following.

danny64552
danny64552

I feel I have to have a drink to function. I never use to drink in the house but for the last couple of years I'm drinking more and more. Really struggling 

1 like, 30 replies

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  • RHGB
    RHGB danny64552

    Posted

    That's because heavy drinking over a long period of time, changes the brain. It gets to a stage where the brain only feels normal and 'at rest' when it has alcohol. You may not even want a drink, but that constant nagging in your head drives you to have a drink and then of course, you carry on drinking.

    • danny64552
      danny64552 RHGB

      Posted

      That makes sense . I want to be normal without drink I really do. Hate myself at the moment 
    • RHGB
      RHGB danny64552

      Posted

      Apart from a select few (cue Robin) there are not many that can give up drinking with willpower alone.

      Fortunately there is medication that reverses the stranglehold that alcohol has and with pretty much no side effects. There are Campral and Selincro and in your case I think probably the latter would be better. Is uses something called the TSM method and there should be some details about it in the pinned post at the top of the forum (generic name nalmefene) by Joanna.

      It does require a bit of effort to get prescribe it - for which you will need help and advice on, but it does work, if you follow the guidelines.

    • kenboon
      kenboon RHGB

      Posted

      OP I'm in the same boat! Is this treatment available in the UK RHGB?

       

    • danny64552
      danny64552 RHGB

      Posted

      Thank you I've never heard of either but will be booking a doctors appointment has soon as I can. Thank you. My will power is not the best .

    • RHGB
      RHGB kenboon

      Posted

      Yes, both Campral & Selincro are approved by NICE/NHS.

      If you scroll towards the bottom of this page, you will see a bit about them. Campral is acamprosate and Selincro is nalmefene.

      https://patient.info/health/alcohol-withdrawal-and-detox-alcohol-detoxification

      If you want to go down this route, you need advice on how to get it, don't just make an appointment with your GP. We (people here who have been on it) can advise you on the ways to get it.

    • RHGB
      RHGB danny64552

      Posted

      If you are in the UK, you need advice before you go to your GP. If you're in the US, then it is different and the medication is naltrexone.

    • danny64552
      danny64552 RHGB

      Posted

      What advice would I need. ? Won't they just offer me if I tell them my circumstances? 

    • RHGB
      RHGB danny64552

      Posted

      'Won't they just offer me if I tell them my circumstances?'

      Not unless you are one of the exceptionally lucky ones. GPs see alcohol addiction not as a disease but a lifestyle choice of the lazy and feckless.

    • h1954
      h1954 RHGB

      Posted

      You're right.  I am seeing people in my local addiction service currently and they've never heard of TSM nor the drugs used for it.

    • vickylou
      vickylou h1954

      Posted

      Hi h1954

      Both you and RHGB are absolutely spot on! Neither my gp or ARC had heard of TSM. My old gp said it was a load of American mumbo jumbo!!

      The ARC 'support worker' knew nothing about it and neither had her manager. All they could suggest was Antabuse ( wouldn't go near that again ever) as it's far too dangerous.

       

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 vickylou

      Posted

      Antabuse is at least 50 years old and dangerous for certain. You are right Vicky Lou. Other medicines are better for Danny .
    • RHGB
      RHGB danny64552

      Posted

      Because it can cause death and many people are known to drink on it.
  • h1954
    h1954 danny64552

    Posted

    Feel for you Danny.  That was about my daily level until I was told I couldn't be recommended for a job I really wanted (a voluntary job) unless I did something about it.  Which motivated me and I reduced drastically.  And found that I actually functioned better without a drink.  Now I am doing the job so there's not the motivation and the drinking has crept up - but is mostly secret.  Not good.  I wish you all the best in your attempts to cut down.  One thing that helped me was time limits.  Such as nothing before a certain time and nothing later than 9pm.  The latter was very helpful as I felt so much better in the mornings.  Also distractions - keeping busy.  And recognising that I often confused a desire for a drink with hunger.  Anyway I hope you find a way that works for you.

    • danny64552
      danny64552 h1954

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice. The time limit is a good option. Just want to get to stage of going 2 3 or four days of not wanting it. Many thanks. 
    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 danny64552

      Posted

      You are on the right track. 2 or 3 days booze free would great. Very ambitious. Try it. Robin
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