Expert: Druideck - 1/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: thank you first of all for your time and understanding, i will try to keep it short. 50yrs old 20+ yrs problems on & off. Have had the willpower from time to time no AA to far away. I used to consume 10 units per night for along time(bottle wine) then 14 (had a beer as well). I never crave a drink, but think about it and get agitated, shall i shan't i sitiuation. Never had shakes or anything like that, I now have about 4-5 units at 5.30pm and drink juice in between  but i never drink on sunday (don't ask me why) when i say now i mean over the christmas period, prior to that i would have 20/30 units aweek, i can't drink like i used to, and i have had enough after 4-5 units. I constantly worry about my health, and stopped driving 10yrs ago because i felt i should. I have had liver function tests over the years all ok (but i am told that means nothing)I have not had a decent nights sleep for 10+ yrs. What i would like to do is cut my intake down slowly, couple of units every other evening for a period then a couple of times a week going down to 10 units, i think i can stick to this. I eat regular healthy meals, recently i feel so tired and fatigued hot/cold sweats, i don't know if this is to also with the menopause?? I really look forward to a drink and i really enjoy it. I have a kind and understanding partner who thinks i am to hard on myself. Can i do any harm to myself doing this, and would it help if i had a glycemic diet, how do i know if i am having any withdrawrel symptoms? sorry so long hope u don't mind any advice would help, or is it to little to late. kind regards leni

ANSWER: Hi Leni,

I think cutting down on alcohol intake
is a good plan. If you suspect that
you have a drinking problem there are
some tests online for looking into that.
(copy/paste links into browser)
http://alcoholism.about.com/od/tests/l/blquiz_alcohol.htm

http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/alcohol-mast/index.html

A good way to see if you are addicted to alcohol
is to try controlling your drinking. If you
cannot stop when you want or cannot stop
for long then you may be dependent on alcohol use.

Withdrawal symptoms do include sweating,
sometimes sweet pastries do seem to help
temporarily :)

Craving is like a strong hunger feeling
for the drink. It feels like you cannot
say no to it which is usually true.

The glycemic index of beer, wine, and distilled products is zero.
They are only high on calories.

If using alcohol is causing problems for you
then it should be no problem to abstain unless
you are hooked on it.
If it feels like you cannot stop for any reason
then you may need help from AA or counselling,
or alcohol treatment/rehab.

Alcohol is very tricky about keeping a person
in denial. It can develop into an illness
that affects every part of our being.

Just be aware and try cutting back. If you
experience problems with control then talk
to an alcohol counsellor or do the online
tests for some more information.

It is possible to quit entirely as I
stopped over 25 years ago after
seriously being addicted to alcohol.
I started in AA and still use the twelve
step program as a guide for living.

Be gentle as your partner says and
take care of yourself whatever you decide.

Druideck
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks a million for your reply, it was very helpful advice. I hope you don't mind if i ask another question? I am so much wanting to drive again, mainly to get that part of my life back, and to take all the pressure off my husband. I could'nt get into a car and drive this minute as i feel as though i need to clean my system of alcohol, as i don't feel very alert at the best of times, if i cut down slowly then eventually stop, how long approx will it be for me to be safe to drive weeks,months,??? i really don't know, i really would appreciate your advice from your experiences. thank you for your time and help leni

ANSWER: Hi Leni,

I believe being prepared to drive again
is unique to each person.
It depends alot on your present health
and attitudes.

It doesn't take long to flush the alcohol
from ones's system but learning to
cope without resorting to alcohol
to escape or to feel good can take
very much longer.

I would say give yourself a month of
sober living to clean the chemicals
from your body and if you feel like
the fog is lifting go for your license
or whatever you need to do to drive again.

Often the reason people drink is because
they don't like the feelings they have.
This can be helped by relaxation, meditation
and talking to others or even a counsellor.

Once alcohol becomes an addiction then
people drink whether they feel good or
bad. They just have to drink at that point
and need help to stop.

There is a foggy feeling when drinking
that can make you feel separate from
others. It is hard to describe
but you may feel like you don't
fit somehow. This feeling gets less
when you are sober awhile.
The feeling that you belong comes back
and the loneliness lessens.

Keep with your plan of becoming more healthy
and drive when you feel fit. Be sure
to get help if you feel like your alcohol use
has become too strong for you to manage alone
or it is endangering your health.

Good luck!

Druideck
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello, I hope u dont mind if i ask some further advice? i intended to not have a drink for a few days then have a couple of glasses at the weekend. This is day 4 not had a drink since Saturday. Sunday was fine, Monday i felt quite pannicky around the usual drinking time lasting for a couple of hours, Tuesday panic feeling like my insides are frightened and nervous (hope that makes sense) then today same time again, not lasted as long around about one hour but worse than the other 3 days. I just cooked the tea and eat my meal which calms me down, and my tounge was very tingling, the funny thing is after an hour i feel as right as rain? and the want of a drink is nil, i don't want one, i will have a glass on friday that was my plan. I know i should expect some kind of withdrawral reactions, or it would just be a walk in the park, will these feeling start to lessen, in days or months??????  any advice would be so welcoming, thank you leni x
i just thought i would mention i am on fluoxitine (prozac). thankyou

Answer
Hi Leni,

It is often the feelings we have that tempt us to drink.
The effects of drinking can be very addictive.

Anytime we use drinking to escape the fear or nervousness
we feel the more dependent we become.

This is a learned behaviour in the beginning but
can become an addictive compulsion later on.

Once the compulsion is greater than our willpower we
need help to stop. The reason for this is that
our minds can fool us too easily back into drinking again.
Drinking creates wrong thinking that can keep us drinking
even up to death in the case of chronic alcoholism.

The feelings of panic can ease over time and as you see
the need to drink lessens after a short period of panic
or fear. If you can make it through these times by
substituting another behaviour rather than drinking
you can reduce your need to drink.

By this I mean talking to a supportive friend
or reading a book or taking a walk.
Anything to get though the tough times
without depending on a drink for relief.

You have to retrain your mind and believe in
yourself. Watch your thoughts at the time
you feel nervous or afraid. You may notice that
you are repeating fearful ideas to yourself.

Sometimes our fears are subconscious but if
we learn to be calm and even prayer or
meditation/relaxation can help immensely.

You don't have to be religious to close your
eyes and say calming things to yourself.
The point is to keep our thoughts and mind calm
so we don't feel fear or the need to change our
feelings by drinking.

Over time it will get easier to live with either
less drinking or none at all.
You will feel better about yourself and what you
are doing for yourself.

Remember to try some AA meetings if you cannot control
your urge to drink. They give support to get
you through those tough times but a friend can help too.

Some people cannot drink without becoming dependent on it.
Some people are just wired different I guess.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Things do get better with some self awareness and caution.

Fear and panic can be overcome by letting go of fearful
thoughts and finding that place of wholeness inside.
We all belong on this planet and are miracles of creation.
You don't have to do anything to be okay but live each
moment and let go of the past and future thoughts which are the
source of fear and panic.


Druideck
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