To drink or not to drink
Posted , 3 users are following.
After being told yesterday that I am not alcohol dependant, I'm wondering about social drinking in the run up to Christmas. I've also found out that my family have organised a 50th birthday party for me in December. I don't want to be ungrateful, but at the same time I can't understand why they've done this. They know how anxious and worked up I can get. My daughter came round today with two cases of cava and six bottles of champagne and put them in the garage. Am seeing my GP on Monday and amongst other things will get the results of my LFT. If it's within the normal range, I will ask him if it's ok to have a couple of drinks at my party. Would like to know if other forum members still have an odd drink or two socially? I had an assessment at a substance abuse clinic yesterday and was told to keep a drinks diary and add up the number of units I've had each week and to aim for the recommended weekly units, even better if it was less. Am getting confused as at the clinic they gave the impression that I would be drinking, even though I told them I'd had nothing over the last few weeks. The sensible part of me says leave well alone, and the other voice says if my LFT is normal why can't I have a drink at my party!
0 likes, 3 replies
deirdre._03652 vickylou
Posted
Stop, if you do then you maybe have an alcohol problem...an addiction is a quite marked situation, you have to drink to prevent the terrible shakes, nausea, depression and fatigue.... if you can enjoy just a few.... drinks at
The birthday do your family have arranged ( how thoughtful and very
Touching ) then do so as it will relax you..if however you tend to drink to
Excess and then hate yourself it is not worth it.... ( I had a very bad
Alcohol for very many years ) and still recall the absolute torment...
Most importantly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and have a good time !!! I am sure
That your family will not think any the less of you no matter what. They
Obviously love you very much... have a great day, very warmest wishes
To you , Deirdre xx
PaulJTurner1964 vickylou
Posted
I assume that your family are unaware of your alcohol issue or they don't see you stopping drinking any time soon or they wouldn't have arranged this party for you.
Once a person has been physically dependent on alcohol, it is unlikely that they will ever become a controlled drinker. Even those who try and think they have cracked it are likely to suddenly find that, even after a period in which they controlled their drinking, it begins to creep back up until it is a problem again. If you are managing to avoid alcohol at the moment and have done for a few weeks, you may be one of those who can, but talk to the clinic and find out what they think your plan should be. At the end of the day, it's YOU who must decide. Nobody else can decide on your behalf.
I would suggest that, if you want to stop drinking altogether, that you set yourself a target date for doing this, but still try and reduce what you drink between now and then. In your situation, perhaps you need to arrange that date for soon after your party (unless you can pluck up the courage to tell your family that you no longer drink - that doesn't have to mean you can't have a party at all) and make sure that you tell close friends and relatives your plans. It doesn't make much sense to stop drinking now and then drink at your party in December.
vickylou
Posted
With regards to the clinic, they actually said the only thing I would gain from there was acupuncture. That's why they said I would be best to be referred to the after care services, be assessed by them and hopefully join the long waiting list for CBT, currently about 9 months. Should be able to see a counsellor in about 3 months! Apparently CBT is not classed as an emergency, unlike the substance abuse clinic which deal mainly with severe alcohol problems requiring detox, severe drug problems and methadone services and acupuncture. The aftercare team are based at the opposite end of town!!