How did you get around to finally stop abusing alcohol?

For about two years now, I’ve been off-again, on-again the sauce and it’s difficult for me to not use it to self-medicate. I’ve had depression since I was 14 and when I start to feel empty, nothing seems to work like alcohol does. However, it has caused a lot of tension within my family, with my boyfriend who love me and cares about my health and well-being, and my friendships as well. It’s not that I’m a very destructive drunk when I drink – if anything I just get a bit silly and clumsy. Occasionally, I have gotten aggressive while intoxicated, but I drank then when I really shouldn’t have. I know that being in a frustrated/angry mood prior to drinking just never goes well. Since I’m at the point where I don’t have any health issues related to my drinking, I’m trying to cut back/stop for the sake of my loved ones’ concerns. Does anyone have anything they can say that may help? Is there anything that any of you who’ve had a similar experience with alcohol did in order to quit resorting to it when you were feeling depressed? Thanks in advance for you r advice/time.

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Chris

4 Answers

After drinking a lot for a long time, your brain chemistry begins to change. There are a few medications that can help with the craving you feel to drink, and also help make relapses not so severe. It would be a good thing to ask a doctor about.

Another thing to ask your doctor about is a liver function test (lft). It's a blood test that can detect the early signs of liver damage, long before you start to see physical systems. You don't see the physical symptoms until a ton of damage has already been done. Seeing evidence of the start of liver damage might help convince you that stopping for your health is worth it.

As someone mentioned above, AA can help as having the support of others during your journey can be a powerful thing.

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glass

Ive personally never had this problem but someone Im very close to has. what this person did was attend AA meetings, you could also see your doctor, contact a support group, or set a date in the near future to stop. While some people can stop drinking on their own but others need medical help to manage the physical process of withdrawal. I hope this helped.Goodluck

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Goose

I have abused alcohol and it does nothing for you really. It's actually something that keeps you more depressed so that would be the ultimate reason to stop using it. You want to know why I quit? Because I got so depressed one day that I drank till I blacked out. Anything could've happened to me...and it did. Just before I blacked out, I was molested. I could've been rapped, I have no idea. I was tested and I don't have anything, thank goodness, but I very well could have. On top of that, your liver hurts because you're damaging it.I have damaged not just myself, but I've really hurt people close to me when it wasn't even necessary. I don't even remember saying anything I said to them, but they do. You don't want to continue this. Do whatever you have to to stop drinking to medicate. You WILL ruin your life in a way that will haunt you. I can never stop thinking about being molested by someone I don't really even know. it isn't worth it. Go bowling, hit balls at the batting cage, knit gosh darn it but stop drinking. You are physically and emotionally making yourself worse by self medicating.

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Vickie

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I appreciate your guys' responses. And I'm gonna really think about what you both have said. Thank you. <3

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Chris