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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> It's been five years
Post Info TOPIC: It's been five years
Jade


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It's been five years
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So it's been five years since I last posted, and I'm still struggling. It was quite a reality check to realize that! Anyhow, I am feeling really sick of it, and although I know most of you are not equipped to give out medical advice I am going to ask anyway. Here's the deal, I have been drinking an average of 8 drinks a night for many years. I want to stop, but I recently watched an Intervention that referenced a woman who gave up heavy drinking cold turkey and, as a result, suffered from seizures and died.  I do not want to take that chance, but I currently do not have access to a doctor either. I expect to have access to health care around the beginning of the year. Should I wait to quit then? I currently have minor withdrawal symptoms if I do not drink (ie headaches, irritability, and insomnia), but nothing worse. this really concerns me. What would you do if you were me?

Jade



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davep12and12


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If you are looking for people to co-sign some idea about continuing to drink until the beginning of next year, I don't think you have come to the right place.

And I don't buy that bit about you having no access to a doctor.

There are detoxes, free clinics, etc. where you can get help right now.

Go to any of these places and get help and tell them you are an alcoholic and that you need to stop drinking.

And get your butt to an AA meeting.



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Jade


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No, I'm not trying to get anyone to "co-sign" to an idea that I should keep drinking--I am genuinely concerned about my health. I don't want to drop to the ground and start having a seizure in front of my kids, but thanks for your sensitivity and support! Re: detoxes, maybe, but I can't be away from the home. I have three children, one of whom has a serious disability, that has nothing to do with my drinking (I was sober while I was pregnant), and requires full time care. Re: free clinics, nope, sorry, there are none serving my county; I've looked. Thanks again for your support; with friends like you who needs enemies???

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davep12and12


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Then go to the next county. Do whatever you have to do.

Do you want to quit drinking and survive alcoholism or not?

Other than considering continuing to drink until next year, what exactly ARE you doing, or are willing to do, to recover?

 



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2granddaughters


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This is how I did it and continue to do it. http://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-10_howitworks.pdf

You will have to quit dwelling on all the things you won't/can/t do and start doing the things you have to do.

 

All the best.

 

Bob R



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justadrunk


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Hey jade...Welcome back. Give you the best possible chance at a recovery you deserve. Xxx

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Pythonpappy


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Welcome back Jade, ... My experience is, that everyone detoxes differently ... most all of us have a rough go of it ... most don't have the seizures you mentioned, although that is a real possibility ... the best way to detox is, of course, through a doctor's care ...

Over the years, I've detoxed myself a number of times, thought I was go'n to die ... but I drank a lot heavier than you indicate you have ... our drink'n habits are different so our detox experience will be a little different ... the important thing is, if you do noth'n til next year, then noth'n will change right now ... can you live with that, another few months of hopelessness ??? ...

I suggest that you try not to drink 'today', find an AA meeting and get there and talk to someone about what you're go'n through (before or after the meeting) ... they should be able to direct you to some place in your area that will help with your medical concerns ... or at the very least, maybe they can be at your side through the detox in case you need immediate attention ... (about 3 to 5 days of critical care) ... (if you're being honest, @ 8 drinks a night, detox shouldn't be too bad ...)(unpleasant for sure, but not severe) ... a doctor's care is for sure the best way to go ...

If you continue to drink, you're just digging your hole deeper and making it much harder to sober up tomorrow, if you get another tomorrow ... TODAY is all that counts ... Today sets the direction you take for the rest of your life ... and if your life isn't what you want it to be today, then take action to change it, NOW, not the next day, next month, and certainly not next year ...


Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy



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Tanin


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Jade wrote:

No, I'm not trying to get anyone to "co-sign" to an idea that I should keep drinking--I am genuinely concerned about my health. I don't want to drop to the ground and start having a seizure in front of my kids, but thanks for your sensitivity and support! Re: detoxes, maybe, but I can't be away from the home. I have three children, one of whom has a serious disability, that has nothing to do with my drinking (I was sober while I was pregnant), and requires full time care. Re: free clinics, nope, sorry, there are none serving my county; I've looked. Thanks again for your support; with friends like you who needs enemies???

Welcome back to the forum, Jade. I read your description of your situation and thought that, "This is a tough problem." Especially, since we cannot really judge from afar the risk of seizure for you from going cold turkey. It is reasonable to think about that possibility and how it would play out without medical care.

I don't subscribe to davep's approach above--putting pressure on you and questioning your sincerity and even your validity.

You appear to have a real dilemma.

The only thing I can suggest, given your situation right now, as you describe it, is to go to some online AA meetings, such as at:


aaonline.net

You can find other online AA meetings at:

www.aa-intergroup.org

Maybe there are some meetings there aimed at women with parenting obligations, etc.

Maybe you would get a less frosty and more informed welcome there. 

One last thing. You might try calling a couple of detox centers. Maybe explain your situation and ask if they have any program or advice for detoxing at home. Couldn't hurt. Also, definitely ask if 8 drinks a night for many years presents a risk of seizures. I think I know the answer to that one but I am no doc. 

Let us know what you decide to do.

 



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Mike D


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Hi Jade,

Welcome back to the board.  Very glad you're here.  Detoxing from alcohol certainly can be extremely dangerous.  It's good that you're giving that plenty of consideration.  You're right...you really do need protection from withdrawals.  I'm thinking in terms of safety first...above everything else.  I'm hoping that you can find some way to see a doctor who can help you medically, even if it's not possible to go to a detox ward at the present time.  Keep us posted on how you're doing.

Take care and blessings to you,

Mike D.



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Mike B.


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Welcome back Jade!  Glad to see you're asking questions and looking for help.  You might be surprised what you may find at an AA meeting.  God works through people.  There will be people at the meeting.  Let them know what you're going through.  The answer will come. 



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justadrunk


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Hey Jade - let us know what you decide okay - keep posting - try to come on sober, that helps you. xoxox

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davep12and12


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Hi Jade,

I want to be very clear about this - I AM supporting you. I want you to have tremendous success getting sober and staying sober. And I will gladly do what I can to help you do that. And that includes pointing out the 'insanity of alcoholism' when it is happening. When an alcoholic asks other alcoholics if they think it's okay for an alcoholic to continue drinking until next year, instead of just asking for help figuring out how to get sober NOW, that is the insanity of alcoholism playing out in your thoughts and actions. And that's not an insult, because we are all alcoholics here and we have all become very familiar with the insanity of alcoholism during our lives, both before and after getting sober. I'm certainly no exception. 

I'm not the best resource for connecting people to social services but I'm certainly willing to try to help you get well. But I will not help you stay sick. I will not stay silent when someone is hitting bottom and considering the idea of continuing to drink for several more months as if that is some kind of rational alternative.



-- Edited by davep12and12 on Tuesday 7th of October 2014 07:16:49 PM

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mikef


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Welcome back Jade!

WE suggest a 100% 1st Step(admission)Let the healing begin by putting down the substance(alcohol) and do whatever it takes(the work) to remain free from picking up .WE are here for each other and always suggest making a meeting, finding a Sponsor and getting into the Solution(THE Steps of the Program) worked with a Sponsor)Many suggestions  here from others who have learned ,a day at a time ,how to remain free from  the monster of active addiction.....I will lift you up in prayer....smile



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justadrunk


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Nice posts.

Ya... jade... no one would say to you... If you were allergic to anything else... to just keep ingesting it a day longer than today. We have an allergy of the body and obsession of the mind. It's a disease in the medical world as a result of these facts. Xxxhugsxxx

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Tanin


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Jade?

Are you still reading here? How are you doing?

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First, deal with the things that might kill you.

 
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