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Wanting to go T-Total ASAP

Posted , 5 users are following.

PrincesssDeath
PrincesssDeath

I started drinking when i was 18 and I am now 25 following a break up from my first love. The drinking quickly escalated to the point I was drinking a litre of spirits a night and has continued for the last 7 years (with some small periods of reduction). I have recently started getting help for my drinking and have found from blood tests that I do have liver damage (not surprising) so have said that my goal is to stop drinking however the counsellor im seeing said i cant stop completely right now in case my body goes into shock from the sudden change. Shes suggested replacing my usual bottle of spirits with cider, lager or wine but this doesnt seem enough for me so ive switched straight to alcohol free cider......is this really as dangerous as she's making out because i dont feel like this would happen to me?

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • roger15081
    roger15081 PrincesssDeath

    Posted

    Well if you've managed to type this, then I'd say you were doing ok. When I stopped abruptly, I had lost most of my motor neurone skills, had no dexterity left at all for about 3 days, I couldn't even hold a cup! Keep us posted šŸ‘
  • PaulJTurner1964
    PaulJTurner1964 PrincesssDeath

    Posted

    Yet again, I am appalled by so-called professional advice.

    Yes, it IS seriously dangerous to just stop drinking from high levels of consumption and it CAN kill people. It is not 'shock' but withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol is the most dangerous drug to withdraw from. You must NOT just stop drinking alcohol.

    However, the idea that a person can just use willpower to cut down is absolute nonsense. You may start with good intentions and reduce for a few days, but it will creep back up and may even be higher.

    You need to see a doctor or an alcohol specialist and get an alcohol detox. They would prescribe medication that you would take to counteract the withdrawal symptoms in order to stop drinking safely.

    In the meantime, you MUST drink enough to stop yourself suffering withdrawal symptoms. Any shakiness, DRINK. And get some medical help, see your GP and ask for a detox. Alcohol-free drinks are useless in this situation, you need alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

  • tim081952
    tim081952 PrincesssDeath

    Posted

    Please listen to Paul's advise as I have gone through this many times myself. My counsellor even said DON"T STOP, it is dangerous to go cold turkey. That said - I have cut back a whole lot and am leading a more productive live...but still drink a few a day. My social life has been lacking, but oh well. It will return with a newer - better attitude with less alcohol.

    BTW - I take Naltrexone every day. I don't have the strong cravings that is such a horror to most on here.

    • patricia44773
      patricia44773 tim081952

      Posted

      So glad to see you still posting, Tim.Ā 

      I have managed to cut down too, but don't think I will be able to quit altogether.Ā  This site helps so much.

      I have always followed your progress and I am pleased to see that you are still doing well.

      PatĀ  xx

    • tim081952
      tim081952 patricia44773

      Posted

      So glad to see you still on here as well Pat.

      I beleive my ability to slow down is by staying active (to a point) and maintaining my diet. An example of this was not feeling hunger after a few beers. That is / was my downfall for many years.

      My intake is down to about 3 - 4 beers a day now...I know still too many but working on it.

      Pls keep me posted Pat, we CAN be who we want to be once againĀ biggrin

  • PrincesssDeath
    PrincesssDeath

    Posted

    I will be having a detox sometime soon. My alcohol counsellor person is putting my case before her superiors this week and then in another weeks time ill find out whether the verdict is a hospital detox or whether i can do community detox.....but she said in the fortnight in the meantime to stop drinking the spirits and replace it with cider or lager. I'm just too impatient and want to stop now.....but I will take everyones advice smile thanks for the replies
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