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Mini relapse

Posted , 4 users are following.

christian26980
christian26980

I haven't touched a drop for a month and 4 days but buckled under life pressures and bought a £4.99 bottle of vodka about half an hour ago and drank two slugs. I didn't want to lie to my girlfriend, she was in tears so I poured the rest down the sink. Sometimes I feel like people don't listen to me because they know about my battle with the booze, even good ideas that later prove to be correct .. so I buckled through pure frustration sad.  I just hope I haven't opened the gate to future drinking now ...

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • olivo
    olivo christian26980

    Posted

    I sympathise with your girlfriend, I am in the same position, only mine is husband of 44 yrs. I cannot think WHY he would keep doing something that constantly hurts me, (and of course HIM!) His health is suffering, and he has knocked all my spirit and personality out of me, I am a wreck, finding bottles of vodka hidden in empty water bottlles all over the house) Dont you realise what this is doing to your girlfriend - you are having an affair, with a bottle! She can fight for you against another female, but will never win this battle -it's YOU who must win that one. If you cant, then for gods sake, let her go, and find someone who will treat her as their number one.
  • PaulJTurner1964
    PaulJTurner1964 christian26980

    Posted

    You should be fine with that small amount, Christian, if you don't have any more.

    It is always going to be very difficult to get people who don't have an alcohol problem, to understand it, no matter how much they care about you. You need to find a better way to deal with the frustration of that, than drinking smile

    You were doing really well, see today as a minor blip and not a reason to feel bad about yourself because that leads to that vicious circle again: 'I had a drink, I messed everything up, my life is ruined again, might as well drink.' Don't let the alcohol devil convince you of that smile

  • christian26980
    christian26980

    Posted

    I took a call from a woman called Alison today who's going to meet me at my local surgery tommorow to give me some tips on staying sober ... I think I need some coping strategies so I'll ask her about that ... what else am I likely to be talking about?  
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 christian26980

      Posted

      She will want to get a pattern regarding your drinking, how long you have been drining to excess, how much, how often, what you drink etc. She will also ask what symptoms you get if you don't drink and how severe they get.

      She will also ask about why you think your drinking got out of control, what worries you have, if you are depressed or anxious, what you do socially (e.g. is the pub an essential part of your social life?) She will ask about where you live and who with, what you do for a living or where your money comes from, if you don't work. She will also ask other questions about whether you take illicit drugs as well and will want to get information about your medical history. Those are the basics of what she will ask smile

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 christian26980

      Posted

      That's a good start smile You want somebody who listens and understands rather than a person who dictates what you should do.
    • christian26980
      christian26980 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      I met Alison yesterday ... I asked her about coping strategys and she told me they're different for everyone so I've got to work out some for myself ... she told me about three different meds I could be prescribed, the first will make me feel ill if I drink alcohol with it, the other two working on receptors in my brain. I'm back in to see herr January 7th next year but she's given me a drinking diary of a reduction plan print out and another sheet of paper called STOPP (Stop, Take a BREATH, Observe, Pull Back, Practise What Works) with further instructions .. It's really just down to me now.
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 christian26980

      Posted

      Christian, the medication which makes you feel ill when you drink alcohol is called Antabuse. I would strongly recommend you don't use that. It can be very dangerous with alcohol and is an extremely old fashioned method which rarely works in the long term.

      I would guess the other two are Nalmefene and Acamprosate, both of which are worth trying. Acamprosate has been around for about 15 years and helps to prevent cravings. Nalmefene has been discussed on this forum a lot. It is to help eliminate the reward people get from drinking to excess, but is only recommended for those drinking a

      round 3 pints of beer or half a bottle of wine a day.

      Good luck with your reduction plan smile

  • christian26980
    christian26980

    Posted

    Thanks Paul ..

    So I've slipped again and been drinking for the last 5 days. I know that going cold turkey can be dangerous so I've just been to the doctors. I've been getting water infections since getting kidney stones and have got another one now. The doctor has rightly warned me of the dangers of suddenly stopping drinking but has also pointed out the antibiotics are unlikely to work if I do keep drinking. So I'm a bit stuck as to what to do for the best? he also wasn't able to give me any meds or sedatives because today's boxing day  ..... my girlfriend's pointed out that I've been sober for a couple of months so am unlikely to fit after 5 days of drinking again. The only thing I can think to do is to get some Tamazepam from a trusted friend to act as a sedative should things get worse. I haven't drank any alcohol today but loads of other fluids ...   

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 christian26980

      Posted

      Hello Christian.

      I am not sure why a Dr can see you but can't prescribe on Boxing Day.

      I wouldn't be sure that you won't fit. If you have ANY withdrawal symptoms, there is a risk of the more severe ones occurring.

      Temazepam will not help with wthdrawal symptoms and I would advise you against taking that. It is also unlikely to help you sleep while you are still drinking.

      The only think I can suggest, until you are able to get medication for a detox is to drink the minimum amount of alcohol you need to, to overcome any withdrawal symptoms that do occur (great news if not and you don't need to do anything.) And drink plenty of clear fluids (NOT Vodka!! smile ) for your kidneys.

      Take the antibiotics anyway and try not to drink, but don't let withdrawal symptoms happen.

       

    • christian26980
      christian26980 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Hello Paul.

      I called the 111 helpline and the doctor gave me the exact same advice that you have. I'm sipping half a lager on her advice and also plenty of clear fluids. Thank you so much for your continued advice and support and for listening without judging! ... you're a godsend sir! smile 

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 christian26980

      Posted

      I reserve my judgement for heathcare professionals with a bad attitude towards people with alcohol issues smile

      I hope you are soon feeling better, Christian smile

       

    • deirdre._03652
      deirdre._03652 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Hi Paul, very well said... I was very lucky in that I had a wonderful alcohol support nurse who also became a very, very good friend to myself and all of my family, it helped immensely.... I always found that the very best advice, support and sincere help is given by CAS ,community alcohol service, they were brilliant one and all... keep up the good work Paul, you are needed on here.... sincere regards to you, happy New year also.. Deirdre x
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 deirdre._03652

      Posted

      I'm glad you had good support Deirdre. Unfortunately, that isn't the case for many, it's a bit of a postcode lottery.

      Happy New Year to you too and thanks for the kind words smile

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