Battling the booze

[Kazzl]

When the black dog bites, many of us reach for a drink. It can ease the pain, help us relax, block out what's going on in our minds. If it's just the odd drink now and then, even one or two a night, there's no harm and maybe even welcome relief. But for some of us, many in fact, literally drowning our sorrows becomes a problem in itself. We drink more and more until the booze takes over, and drinking becomes all we want to do. 

That was me for a long time until I finally realised the combination of booze and depression would kill me. If I wanted to live, if I wanted to be able to manage my depression, I had to get sober. I did, nearly five years ago, and it's the hardest thing I've ever done.

If booze is controlling you and you're not controlling it, this thread is for you. If you want to regain control - get sober or moderate your drinking (which for many is harder than quitting) or if you're worried you are drinking too much, join us here.

On this thread I'll talk about my battle with the booze and offer advice and support to anyone who is struggling. I welcome anyone who's been there or is worried they are going there, to join in. And I hope others now living sober will come here to help our friends who are struggling.

One thing this thread is not is a place to discuss how much a drink or two helps you. It's not an anti-alcohol thread, but it's not a general discussion about alcohol either. It's for people who are genuinely worried about it or who want to control it, and it's a place of celebration (without judgment about drinkers) for those of us who are now living sober.

I hope anyone who's battling the booze will join us.

Cheers 😀

Kaz 

[Kazzl]

Hiya Rhes, how are you? Have you had a good weekend hun?

Cheers

Kaz

[Rhes]

Hi Kaz, how are you? Had a great weekend thanks, took myself on a little solo holiday, first one I've done sober 🙂 Normally I'd find that lonely and a great excuse to drink. I spent a lot of time staring at the ocean and relaxing instead. Feel so much better for it 👍

[geoff]

dear Rhes, you're travelling like a real tropper as they say in the classics, good on you. Geoff. x

[geoff]

trooper I should say x

[Rhes]

Thanks Geoff, couldn't have got here without the support of yourself, Kaz and Moon 🙂

[Kazzl]

Hiya Rhes, your holiday sounds great. Isn't it special to enjoy a break without hangovers? It is a challenge though, I remember from my first sober holiday the late afternoons were tough, but you get through them and wake the next morning feeling fabulous. Well done you!

I also 'remember' (not really) a holiday at a lovely resort in Queensland years ago where I drank from lunchtime till I passed out each day then spent the mornings in bed recovering. What kind of holiday is that! These days I get my money's worth, enjoying every waking minute (and the sleeping bits too). Soooo much better.

Lovely to see you hun

Kaz

xx

[Rhes]

Hi Kaz, great to hear from you 🙂 Yes, isn't it funny how the prospect of not having to get out of bed early in the morning was such a green light to get wasted. And holidays are terrible for that, may as well just be at home in bed! I manage to find much better stuff to do now, even if it is just a daggy crossword here and there, so much better for the brain 👍

[sinking_mama]

Hi all.

Its been a bit since i was on last. And im sad to say i gave in to my demons and started drinking again.

Im still hungover from last nights efforts.

I know i need to get this under control im just so scared that i cant. Every attempt has been a dismal failure. All it takes is one small thing and i give in.

I have been extremely fragile for a long time. Having depression and anxiety for a long time is really taking its toll. I think my meds arent working anymore but i dont want to change them because theyre the only ones that have worked at all.

Hailey

[geoff]

hi Hailey, great to have you back but wish it was under better circumstances, but how often does someone who drinks alcohol always fall back to it when they are stressed out, countless times, time after time, because they haven't been able to build up the strength that is needed not to, but I don't blame you for doing this, all you need is a little bit of help.
If your depression and anxiety hasn't been fully addressed through a psychologist and your medication isn't working then it's battle, not once a day but numerous times where you are struggling, then you won't be strong enough to not drink, because this is just your natural response so that you can cope.
If your medication had once worked but not now then maybe they should be reviewed by the doctor with increasing the dosage, but perhaps when you start taking antidepressants (AD) they will begin to help you, then it's not uncommon for them 'to have run their race', so to speak, so that they are now not as affective, so perhaps your doctor should review them.
I say this because the med's aren't helping you now and that's why you have gone back to using the alcohol as a back-stop, but we all know that by having this addiction creates a lot of problems and I don't need to mention what these are because you would already know, so let's go back to square one with you, go and see your doctor and get them to put you on a 'mental health plan' where you can visit a psychologist for 10 free visits, and get them to increase the dosage or if need be change the AD. Geoff.

[Kazzl]

Hi Hailey, welcome back. Your previous attempts to quit have not been dismal failures hun, they have been steps along the road to sobriety. We all take those steps before it finally 'sticks'. Whilever you have the intention and the desire to quit, you are on that road and moving ahead. It's only when we give up trying that we're beaten.

AA's mantra of 'one day at a time' is invaluable I reckon, even though I didn't go to AA. I still try to live that way, in many things. So maybe try not to think 'I have to quit drinking forever' or 'I must never drink again'. That's too overwhelming to contemplate when booze is our release from other problems. Just try to think 'I will not drink today'. Gradually it will get easier.

There are some good tips on this thread for getting through those early days - maybe have a read back though.

We're here for you hun - please post anytime. And remember - one day at a time. It will stick in time.

Kaz

xx