New to Group and needing some help...

Good morning to you all and Seasons greetings..

I woke up today and actually owned my alcohol problem, in otherwords I have been fully aware especially this year that I have issues, but chose not to find a solution up until now..

My alcohol problem has escalated this year, it's been a nightmare 2016, where I have left my girlfriend of 16 years and had to leave my life behind in Hertfordshire to relocate to Cornwall. My Mother died 10 weeks ago from Cancer and my Father has early Dementia, my older brother who is more local to Dad has turned his back, so it's just me and with very little support. Leaving my home, my friends, my job, my girl, my 2 dogs, my ability to earn a good living It's all taken a terrible toll the past few months.

Prior to to this, I was still drinking every night due to relationship issues, so It's probably about 18 months of alcohol abuse, before this my pattern of drinking was binge drinking friday, Saturday and Sunday and then alcohol free Monday through to Thursday. I never have felt the need to drink during the day, but I get excited when I get to about 20:00 and I can crack open the first strong beer or cider, a typical intake for me, would be approximately: 4/5 500 ml bottels of strong Cider, ie: 7% volume or say 5 500ml cans of strong 6% Lager. Last night was 3 x 660 ml bottles of 5% Lager and approximately a quarter bottle of Jim Beam Whiskey.

I can now start to feel the long term effects and damage, my once younger looking skin (I'm 52) is now getting dry and blotchy, I have restless sleep, I am used to feeling rough in the mornings and as I am Dad's Carer now, I don't have a job to worry about! I deliberately wait until about 22:30 to eat my main meal in order to get drunk first. I am pretty disciplined in other walks of life, I work out hard each day, I am very well presented, but I do have an Addictive personality however.

I know from my drinking habits that I have a big problem and that I am now dependent on Alcohol, I am fine during the day and never crave or think about drinking, so the question I guess I am asking you is:

I plan to stop drinking permanently as from today, I'm not bothered that it's the Christmas season as Dad and I are not celebrating it this year due to our situation and with him grieving Mum's death.

From what I have explained on here, do you think that I would have any dangerous side effects from simply stopping? would I require medication, or to cut back first? I know that from past experiences that I can have 4 days abstinence without a struggle, but this year I am out of control and looking at last weeks empties in the Recycling box...Well it brought it right home to me...

Thanks..Paul

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