I have been diagnosed as a late stage 2 alcoholic....?
829604
I was so bad of an alcoholic that I was put on antabuse to prevent me from drinking. I haven't drank in 4 years. Yes, it is tough. Yes you will feel so thirsty that you feel parched. Yes, it will even be tougher than I am telling you. But all of the sudden, one day, you will get up and the sun will actually fell warm and look wonderful again. The smell of familiar things will make you want to cry again for the love of it not the pain. It does not sound silly. Your wine has been your friend and your comfort. But it has become your enemy now and you have to tell yourself that. Go to alcoholics anonymous and get a sponsor. Someone you can talk to. To relate with. That really helps. And guess what?? After a few years you can have a drink. Just know that when you do, you will drink until drunk and plan for it. I can drink now and control it instead of it controlling me. Because it was my best friend and your sickness knows you better than anyone. Call AA tonite.
793525
I think it's great that you are going for help.  Not many people have the strength to do it.\n\nI'm going through some substance problems myself and your question interested me, because I saw my Psychologist today and we had a discussion about similar meds.\n\nI've done some reading about Campral and there's a lot of BS out there.  Merc is the company that manufactures it and the description they give on their website on how it works is pretty vague. It also appears that it's not FDA approved in the US, where it's more widely used in Europe - I'm not sure if that means much, because there are many FDA approved drugs that don't work for what they are prescribed for. \n\nI got a pretty good description from NetDoctor over here;\n\nhttp://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000440.html\n\nFrom reading it, it appears that the way it works, is that it stimulates your brain in the same way alcohol does or in essence, acts like fake booze, thus decreasing the cravings.  You will eventually have to be weaned off of this drug (similar to alcohol ?!?!).  It's not designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and it will not work if you continue to drink.  Taking this drug a lone will not cure your addiction; it is an adjunct treatment to an intensive phycotherapy program for substance abuse.\n\nIt appears that you have a Psychiatrist lined up.  If you don't have a good addiction therapist lined up, I would try to find one before taking this medication.  You should manage your expectations and goals to be concurrent with the success of your therapy, where the Campral will provide additional support to keep you from hitting the sauce.\n\nI'm glad you brought this up; this is something I will discuss with my psychiatrist next week.\n\nIn my situation; I'm battling several years of synergistic drug abuse and a few mental disorders (Bipolar and borderline personality disorder).  I was initially prescribed anticonvulsants (mood stabilizers) to manage my manic highs and depression and it was imperative that I stoped drinking and using so that I could let the meds work.  My Psychiatrist hooked me up with a good Psychologist that specializes in substance abuse.  I have one on one sessions with both of them and am also part of managed group therapy for substance abuse with 8 other people, run by two psychologist.\n\nI'm doing really well, but still have cravings.  Through the therapy, I've identified the emotions, people and situations where I drink the most.  The most prevalent of situations is business travel and this is where we started talking about the anti-drinking drugs.  My psychologist recommended I take Antabuse.  This is totally different from Campral.  This stuff will make you very sick even if you consume a little booze.  Essentially it's designed to reduce your cravings by literally, PUTTING THE FEAR OF DEATH IN YOU!  \n\nI'm not sure how bad your drinking problem was or if Campral or Antabuse will work for you.  I'm not sure Campral would work for me and it's just one more thing I would have to be weaned off of.  You are going to have to go cold turkey on the booze for at least two months if you want the antidepressants to work, regardless of whether or not you take the Campral.  If you drink with antidepressants, they won't work that well and the campral will make you more depressed.  It doesn't make sense to me?\n\nThis is my opinion, I am not a Dr.  Your Dr. certainly knows what's better for you than me.  I know that my cravings are powerful, especially when I'm in certain situations, with that said, I feel the Antabuse is appropriate and will provide the support I need.\n\nI hope this helps and if you want, I can email you and let you know what my Dr. thinks of Campral when I speak to her.  Feel free to email if you have any other questions.
10507
Its okay its just a set back, there is nothing you can do about it now, but next time it will be harder and if you allow there to be a next time everything you have worked for and have gained will once again be in jepordy. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone is tempted at some point or another, you gave in this time...okay admit to that at your next meeting...you will be sober soon get some rest in a couple days you will feel better.
780666
You're on the right track to recovery by admitting you have a problem.  My recommendation would be to seek out psychoanalytic therapy. In this such case I think it would be best because you seem, to me, to have unresolved past issues that need sorting out.  Afterwards, I suggest cognitive-behavioural therapy.  This will help you to manage and change your behaviour by learning how to change your cognitive thought processes that lead you to anti-social behaviour (I mean anti-social in its correct use meaning behaviour that is not socially acceptable or against societal mores).\n\nBut before that I would recommend, and I KNOW you don't want to hear this, that you consider seeking help from a hospital psych. ward.  You are not crazy.  But a psych ward is the section of the hospital where they deal with people in your situation as well as psychotics.  Again, you are NOT crazy.\n\nI wish I could be of more help, but I am still only just working on my Honours degree and I'm afraid I cannot give psychological therapy.
679429
go to some ofthe social service clinics an tell them your problem try to get in a aa group asap. a statment from the website ......\n\n\n  Is A.A. For You?\nOnly you can decide whether you want to give A.A.a try —\nwhether you think it can help you.\n\nWe who are in A.A. came because we finally gave up trying to control our drinking. We still hated to admit that we could never drink safely. Then we heard from other A.A. members that we were sick. (We thought so for years!) We found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and loneliness and hopelessness that we did. We found out that we had these feelings because we had the disease of alcoholism.\n\nWe decided to try and face up to what alcohol had done to us. Here are some of the questions we tried to answer honestly. If we answered YES to four or more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking. See how you do. Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem.
431073
You may be afraid of what you did, and did not remember, but you may be misinterpreting your post-alcohol poisoning trembling as being scared.  \n\nYour body is being abused and it just takes longer and longer to recover the older you get.   Try having one glass of wine (or a beer) with dinner every night.   \n\nThen when you go out, don't have drinks 6 through 15.\n\nIf you truly cannot control how much you are putting in, you need to stop completely.  I realize it is something you enjoy, but it has to be done.\n\nGood Luck.
1044776
FIND GOD\nSTOP GETTIN AND DRUNK\ngo to rehab and tell ur doc ur probs
993606
Although every doctor and medication label in the world of mental illness screams DON'T DO IT.. here's my experience..\nI am bipolar.. take seroquel and lamictal.. have finally been stable for a couple years after many trials with different medications.. \nI very rarely drink.. but have had 3 or 4 beers in the evening a few times.. maybe sitting out on the back deck to relax a little on the weekend or whatever.. nothing like before my diagnosis and drinking myself into a relative coma as an ill-mannered attempt at self-medicating this affliction.. \nI had no problems with it at all.. I never drank more than 4 beers.. and waited a couple extra hours before taking my meds at night.. long enough for the body to process the alcohol.. \nbe smart about it.. plan the dinner/drink early in the evening and take the meds as prescribed.\nOr postpone the meds until after the alcohol has been metabolized. \nIt is definitely not advisible to combine them. \nIf you have any doubts about how this would affect you .. use common sense and don't even try it. I am sure the warnings are there for a reason..
936664
you need to get into a program.If you think the drinking is getting to be a problem get some help. you wont be able to do it yourself.go to an A.A. meeting. make some friends.you wont be so lonely. get some phone numbers. I am always here if you want somebody to e-mail that has been thru everything your going thru now.    anytime!                                                                                                                             klinedarlene@yahoo.com
825914
I hate to this, but you need to get back on your meds. I know it sucks, I know you might have some unpleasant side effects, but the hassles involved with the meds are better than the hassles stemming from the illness. I had a  roomate that had some of the same symptoms. His meds made him shake. So he would get off his meds and would deteriorate radiply. Your still young, I want you to remember this, with your condition, you are susceptible to alcoholism and drug addiction. I don't want you to find out the hard way and dig yourself a huge hole that will be hard to get out of. Please talk to someone close to you that can help. I'm changing my profile to allow you to email me for 48 hours if I can help further. i wish you the best.
646091
I have a family member in AA. You're doing fine. The reason people tell their stories is so you have something to relate to and you don't have to feel alone. Most of the people in the program are really great people and will help you with anything if you just ask. And just so you know its OK that you relapsed  5 times, people do that you are just human. Just as long as you don't give up on yourself and, yes, keep coming back.
531202
About a year ago I was under a lot of stress and had two siezures in the same night. My doctor said it might have been stress related mixed with alcohol consumption. She told me just not to drink when I was stressed and I haven't had anymore. Of course, if you have been having them often, I would contact your doctor.
745836
I can understand where you are coming from. I've had a similar experience. It seems that you are under a lot of stress. That maybe why your anxiety level is so high. Drinking doesn't solve anything it only delays the ultimate result. You still have the problem. It would be nice if you could find a therapist or someone close to talk things out with. Since you are on meds home remedies, such as milk and sugar may not be a good idea. Because they could have a negative affect on your meds.  I am sorry to hear that you lost your man. That can be painful. It could have lead to some of the problems you are having. I would suggest you find someone to talk this all through with. Call your doc and tell him or her the symptoms. Especially the dizzy part and the pain. If your doc does not understand find one that does. You don't have to accept bad behavior from your doctor, office visits are not free. Keep writing here we won't give up on you.
929115
In today's climate 2 DUIs are definitely not good at all. Get a good lawyer to work with the DA and get into outpatient substance abuse counseling. You can probably get off with probation and continued counseling. I wish you luck whatever happens. One last word: If drinking is causing you problems, you might have a problem with drinking.
1076227
I am so behind you with tons of love and support while you get yourself clean! Ask God as you understand God, to help you. I quit alcohol 16 years ago. I got scared and just stopped, period. God helped me. I will never go back to that lifestyle. You have to be congratulated just for choosing this new path for yourself. Everyone on Yahoo! Answers is pulling for you. As you scroll down through our answers, count how many people are routing for you and supporting you and encouraging you to stay with it! I am sending you tons of positive energy and strong love from someone who's been there (me). 16 years ago, I was a mess. Today, I have friends, I am connected to society, I can hold my head up, and I actually like who I am. You are going to become so strong if you will just stay with this new path you're on! We're all pulling for you!  Sent with prayers for your new strength of character to stay with it,  - G. in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A.
673834
Yes, your husband is an alchololic. Whatever you decide on doing remember that your house needs to be a safe place. One thing I would highly recommend that you do is to go to a local Al-Anon meeting. These meetings are for people who are affected by a loved one who is an alcoholic. Your first step is in taking care of yourself. By posting here I believe you are ready to do this.\n\nI've noticed that subsequent posts to mine are giving you terrible advice. Yes, you must take care of yoruself and you need to be in a safe environment. In addition to this you need to talk to people who are experiencing the same thing you are. Your husband won't stop or be cured over night. This will be a long journey and expect a year or two if there is a chance. Tough love might be what he needs.\n\nRemember to take care of yourself by eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising, and by taking care of yourself spiritually and emotionally. You must take care of you. You are worth it! When both of you can be healthy individuals then you can work on your marriage. Until then, he needs to deal with the consequences of his actions. Don't give into his pleadings until he begins and continues to attend AA meetings.
764139
It is hard to figure out this question -- considering that just about everything is misspelled and you abbreviated some things that most of us out here can't figure out.\n\nAlcoholism IS a problem -- that is usually not something that you can get Sick Leave for -- the only reason that could happen is while you are in DeTox (or Rehab Program), and even that will be very limited under most Health/Disability Insurance Programs.\n\nOther than that - PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) IS a treatable Mental Illness -- and with a home fire -- you already have internet access, you are typing, and you are communicating -- I am assuming that you have started rebuilding your life after the fire and that you are in treatment as well for the PTSD.\n\nYOU have made the choice for Alcohol over your work performance or recovery -- and that is a POOR choice for so many reasons, that I do not have the time to list them all here.\n\n('+ really, WHAT ilness')  This is a DIRECT Quote from your question -- do you NOT understand your Alcoholism?  And how that Alcoholism affects job performance?  Have you caused problems at work that you do not realize by being Alcoholic and drunk on the job?