Stopping drinking

Bonniedog

First day off drinking for nine months. Had been off for six months before that, but relapse brought even heavier drinking including one of two before going to work, and sometimes in work.

Not a sustainable lifestyle for all sorts of reasons so decided to knock it on head. Only problem was I had pretty nasty withdrawals last time. No DTs or seizures or anything on that scale but very unpleasant.

So decided this time to seek medical advice and was prescribed Xanax for short term use just to get over the hump. Had last drink yesterday and took first tablet this morning. I must say I feel far better than I did 12 hours into my last attempt.

Not seeking medical advice, but wondering if anyone else has found Xanax helpful in similar situation.

Am fairly confident that once if get over a week or two that I can stay off it, even just from remembering the mess I was becoming.

via4

Xanax is VERY addictive try not to take these for too long and best of luck quitting drinking well done!!!

Bonniedog

Thanks. Checked out Xanax and doctor explained how potent they are. I don't like taking any sort of medicine so will stop after a few days rather than go the full ten. Very sleepy today but that beats the horrible feeling when I went cold turkey last time.

m-a-i-

I struggle with severe anxiety and depression frequently enough so I suppose our stories are a little different but I have found xanax is good to get over the really dark days but like the last poster said it is quite addictive so try and only use it as little as you can. It tends to make me sleepy and used to stop my head going a hundred miles an hour so I could get some breathing space. Once you have that after a few days you will find you can cope better with any situation and might not need to take any if at all.
It helps me with finding the joy back in things and I can feel like my self

Stay strong OP x

Like you I had bad withdrawals, mostly constant headaches. I just had to go through the pain and it went away after the first week. You might find some of the experiences and advice over in the Non-drinkers Group very helpful and insightful.

I found before I gave up drinking I was hemming and hawing for ages and thinking of how much I'd miss drink, what I'd do without it, what I'd do with my spare time and, generally, what I'd replace drink with. I couldn't conceive of a world, a social life, without drink. It just seemed so empty. 'Empty' really is the word. In hindsight, I was looking for ways to justify continuing to drink and afraid of the loneliness I'd have if I lost my best "friend".

I was definitely at the latter stages of "first the man takes the drink, and then the drink takes the man". Many things conspired to force me to give it up and stick to it, but it was mainly my wife's love and heartbreak that moved me. It's perhaps the only thing in my life which I've done mostly out of honour, out of what is right and fair to somebody else. And, strangely, that honour, that awareness that another person's dreams and happy future was in my hands has ensured I could not in conscience drink again. I saw another life, and I wanted to do right by her. There was also fear, although it was secondary to honour: I imagined the future destruction, and it scared me. I felt the love, and I wanted to keep it.


First of all, I had to change my environment and I still rarely bother going out (I was only really going out to get ossified anyway) so it's much, much easier to stay off the drink within an environment where it doesn't exist (at home, going on long walks, etc). There's a whole world to discover and I've immersed myself in many outlets for growth since. You do need to change your environment and ensure no alcohol is around to tempt you. I'm almost two years off it, and to my surprise I have no desire at all to drink and I've got much, much better at dealing with avoidance of alcohol. Deep down, yes I know that if I were to hit the drink again, I'd drink for Ireland because the entire "have a single pint and go home" thing never registered with me. But I actually don't feel threatened by alcohol, or by living without alcohol, any more. That's incredibly liberating, and something I couldn't envisage in all the time before I gave up drink but worried about how I'd cope.

My advice, therefore, is stop thinking about giving it up - jump in there, set a date and give it up and stay well away from all the triggers for your drinking. You have to protect yourself now. It gets so much easier with time. Time really is the great healer. Lastly, be kind to yourself and be grateful for the little things around you, the beauty of nature, all those little acts of love in your life. Find some hobby that gives you peace, solace.

Rubberchikken

you've taken the first step, so well done.
i'dsay stay busy, keep out of environments where drink would be. i could say take up running but you mightn't want to, so i'll advise doing something that you physically enjoy.
best of luck. stay strong

amdublin

Fair play! You are on your way. Well done. keep it up.

petes

Bonniedog wrote: »

Am fairly confident that once if get over a week or two that I can stay off it, even just from remembering the mess I was becoming.

It will help to remember the past but an alcoholic has a very short memory. I went through horrific withdrawal and was and still am using xanax.

When I started feeling physically better I thought of a drink even after that time.

As suggested check out the non drinkers forum. I find it helpful!

Hope you feel better

I'm 52 days in and I never want to drink again. I'll not go in to it. I hope you have support as I think that's crucial

Bonniedog

Thanks for all the kind words. Going well so far and Xanax has definitely helped in taking the edge off as have had nothing like the awfulness of the last time. Funnily enough the cravings don't bother me. I was in mode where I was drinking just to function for the day, rather than having a desire for the taste or any sort of buzz- which believe me had long disappeared! So the Xanax has definitely helped just in being able to sleep and then get up and go about my business without feeling like a nervous wreck. Reasonably confident I can survive without them at end of the course but glad I went to that doctor I have to say.

Early days yet of course but once I survived the first 4/5 days the last time I was grand until got sucked back into old routines around of after work and after matches drinks - foolishly thinking I could spend three hours drinking minerals! Won't be doing that again.


I will check that other group out. I did go to AA meetings years ago but they are not for me. Have volunteered again to help out with local club so that will be one distraction! Am also planning to take up running again as suggested above.