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I don’t drive xx

I can function normally the next day, I very rarely suffer hangovers. I want to stop but I’m worried about getting the help. Is it true that it’s dangerous to just stop by yourself ? 

It can be dangerous to stop by yourself, yes.  Only a physician can take a look at not only what you drink, but also your general health as that comes into the equation, too, and then make a decision as to whether it is safe for you to just stop.

But then what anyway?  Most people end up relapsing back to drink at some point.  You need a longer term plan.

This is probably going to sound ridiculous but I don’t want to completely stop. I mean I want to stop drinking vodka and drinking every single night but I’d like to get to a point where I can just drink socially? You’re probably going to say that’s not possible right? Like it’s all or nothing? X

I used to drink almost as much as you and for 30 years and more. Stopped completely 5 years ago. Never ever touched any alcohol since then. It was all of nothing. I know that I cannot drink socially. 😁

I started drinking alone (at home) around 4-5 years ago, was only alcopops then but drank until I was drunk, then started on wine, first a bottle a night then went to 2 bottles, then moved on to vodka, used to be a quarter bottle and most nights but not every night then got to every night then went to half bottles and sometimes more, again it started at most nights but not all but for the past maybe 5 months or so it’s every single night. I don’t tell my psychiatrist, therapists this because I have my mental illness to cope with and not sure I can cope with anymore therapy right now, although I realise how silly that sounds as one affects the other and vice Versa xx 

Alcohol tolerance can be a problem. 1 bottle of wine becomes 2 and so on. I understand how you 'drink to sleep' as I suffer with terrible insomnia myself if I don't drink. The relief of getting to sleep quickly when drinking enough alcohol is good even if it doesn't keep me asleep.

But I realise alcohol induced sleep is not natural sleep, once I get into bed I simply pass more quickly than normal - like taking an anesthetic and long term alcohol consumption may wreck my liver. But I don't want to rely on sleeping tablets and get addicted to them which can open up another can of worms. But yes I understand how you feel on the sleep front. No sleep is torture, alcohol can help if you are desperate but it's no match for natural sleep.

'This is probably going to sound ridiculous but I don’t want to completely stop. I mean I want to stop drinking vodka and drinking every single night but I’d like to get to a point where I can just drink socially? You’re probably going to say that’s not possible right? Like it’s all or nothing'

Nope, I'm not going to say it isn't possible.  Any reduction in alcohol will be of benefit to you.

What is more important is that you put action into the words.  Over a week since you posted and lots of good advice given, but unless you actually take some action yourself, then nothing will change.  You have said that you want to stop drinking vodka and only drink socially.... that is great.... but now it's time to put some action behind the words.  Take a step in the right direction and begin the changes you need to make.

Thank you I’m going to try. Going to call my go tomorrow I’m just worried because I start a long awaited new therapy in couple of weeks for my depression and I’m worried they may not still accept me on the course if they knew the extent of my drinking x 

‘Gp’

Please be completely honest with your gp. It’s not easy I know, but is a start  on your way to recovery.

I can understand your concern over your therapy. I was referred for CBT for anxiety. At the first session I spoke about my drinking and was told this particular place didn’t deal with alcohol problems . Yes I suffered with anxiety, but as the drinking and anxiety go together, I’d need a different therapist.

I still had CBT, but with a therapist who specialised in drinking problems. It went well and really helped me, along with campral.

I don’t want to sound harsh, but you do need to accept you have a problem. All the help in the world is pointless and won’t work. Not admitting to drinking to your psychiatrist is a waste of time and won’t achieve anything 

I know what you mean but I don’t want my psychiatrist, my therapist and other mental health professionals to put my illness down to my drinking because I know that’s what they do, I’ve seen it...it’s like it’s an easy out for them. My mental health issues came long before my drinking xx

I’m sorry I bottled it ! Xx 

To be honest though and not making excuses but had a lot go on last night and today xz

Hi

You don’t need to apologise, but from my experience, the longer you leave it getting help, the more difficult it will be.

Very few people are successful in controlled drinking without some form of help. Medication does help along with determination and effort from you.

Please don’t think I’m having a go at you or telling you what to do, I’m not judging you as I’ve been there.

I know you had mental health problems before the drinking began. and am presuming you take some form of antidepressant,  I’m no medic, but I do know as do you, that drinking whilst taking them is pointless. They won’t work.

By not being open with drs, especially a psychiatrist, you could be taking the wrong medication.

I used alcohol for anxiety and insomnia. Yes it does help in one way, but it’s only very temporary, thoughts and feelings come back once the alcohol wears off.

At least keep posting on here. There’s some lovely people who know and understand and won’t judge you.

I honestly really wanted to go to the doctors today, my appointment was made but I can’t deny I was scared to death and maybe what happened only gave me the excuse not to go but when I have my ex trying to kick through my door it’s not nice to say the least and when there’re things in my face at the time then it’s hard to remember what I was trying to do you Know ? Xx 

‘Really wanted’ was probably not the best way to explain it as I was petrified but at the least I was trying hard to focus and be brave enough to go