Stoptember - why wait.......

And let us not forget 17120 who is devastated at the moment because she was doing so well and then had a relapse and is begging for our forgiveness!

Not that she needs forgiveness, but she's taken it so hard it's heartbreaking.

Hi sados. I wish you luck in your one month challenge and the others who are taking the challenge. It sounds like you are in a positive frame of mind which is fantastic but try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Being a very heavy binge drinker for years I've tried everything from local alcohol services, 4 residential rehabs( 2 helped a lot but wasnt really ready), hospital loads of times, psychiatric ward, I can go on. It's taken me a year of living on my own, learning from all my horrific experiences to get where I am now. I am now 3 months sober and have also spent 2 months of hell coming off seroxat antidepressants I'd been on for 16 years. But with the help of a fantastic doctor, an alcohol counsellor, friends and advice on here, aa friends( though I don't go to meetings now, plus an online alcohol sobriety forum I can't meantion on here. Plus a supportive family and dogs!!!

will continue or may lose this post...

I was on naltrexone which definately worked for me and cut my drinking down from 2-3 bottles of wine to a bottle at weekends, which is a miracle in itself. Unfortunately I suffer with major depression and chronic fatigue and found I still felt dreadful for a day or two after a bottle of wine and the depression lasted longer. I just had enough of living this sort of life of recovering from depression, no energy etc. So a dear friend on this forum gave me Campral to try and it's really worked for me. I also used diazepam and still do occasionally if I'm stressed or craving for a drink. This isn't regularly but essential and better than resorting to alcohol and/or a binge. 

I think, like misssy has meantioned, it is unfair to discourage a person who is trying to stop drinking for a month and I am not missing the point. Most people on my here know my story and I am extremely experienced( unfortunately) to comment on this. 

We all have our own journey and no one way is the right one. I do believe through experience that naltrexone and campral( with a good dr and counsellor) is the most successful way forward. But we shouldn't put down AA that has and does still work for millions, also my online programme which has changed my life. Smart recovery helps many too. Plus religion for some. 

I have faith, I've survived. My seroxat withdrawel is still a battle but if you find something that makes you feel positive, happy and empathy for others still struggling it gives you focus and determination to succeed. 

To be honest, I do live in the day. I don't and can't say I will never drink again. I have naltrexone if I do need to drink. Which hopefully will prevent a binge. I'm not white nuckling it, as it as they say, I'm happy to be leading a relatively normal life again for the first time in years. I don't think of alcohol all the time, just feel a bit sorry for myself at weekends sometimes. It passes after I've eaten and I'm grateful to wake up in the morning without a hangover

Again and finally everyone has their own journey and we should not judge but encourage anyone who is making a commitment to try which ever way they choose. 

I wish everyone who is struggling or trying to conquer this horrible illness all my best wishes and love 🙏🙋🏻😇

Ha ha Tess. Forum finally working again after weeks of giving it up!

Thanks again Helen for your kind words which mean a lot.

Just to confirm I've gone down the Campral route due to my depression. Naltrexone got me to that place and I'm not using them both. It's one or the other I understand. Though its there for me should I need to drink. Which at this moment in time , thank the Lord, I don't.

Well it's way past my bed time. I've had my camomile tea( don't laugh miss maltloaf Tess!!) and my pup wakes me at 7, so good night all xx