Posted by Caper on June 6, 2004, at 4:01:48
In reply to Re: want to use valium for alcohol detox on my own » zoomdeal, posted by Alara2 on June 6, 2004, at 0:41:49
Hi Alara,
I'm not sure if you've read this before in one of my other posts, but trazadone's brand name in the U.S. is Desyrel. Maybe that could help you track it down in your country. It's been around forever, first as antidepressant but was so sedating hardly anyone could tolerate the "therapeutic dosage" as an AD. So it became used as a sleep aid mostly. It's basically an early SSRI type anti depressant.
I totally agree with the "supply" theory. Not having it around doesn't make me less likely to drink, just so anxious about not having it handy that I'm more likely to rush out, buy it, and down it as soon as I'm back in the house! Whereas if it's there, I can try to distract myself 'til the craving subsides. My therapist says this is "wrong" because it lets me keep believing alcohol is an appropriate "coping mechanism" but--- I do seem to drink less when I have a supply on hand that's enough I don't feel anxious I'll be caught without. My theory is: whatever works, or least whatever helps.
Best of luck in your recovery and in the results of your medical tests.
Take care.
Caper
> >
> Hi Ann,
>
> Am not sure what happened just then but my entire post just vanished before I even sent it - and I'm not even drinking! lol
>
> First of all, 100 days is great. And the fact that you've managed to reach that goal several times suggests to me that you really are well into the process of recovery.
>
> AA helps many people and it sounds as though meetings really give you a healthy relaxation alternative. I have to say, though, that I have issues with the AA philosophy that drinking after 100 days constitutes a total `bust'. By abstaining for 100 days, you have given your liver (and the rest of your body) a much-needed rest and have surely done a lot of psychological healing as well.
>
> They say that most people who successfully recover (regardless of the approach that they use) only do so after several attempts. People like you really inspire me because you symbolise what it must be like to make it half way up the mountain. (And we're talking Mt Everest here, not just the little hill at the end of your suburb.:) )
>
> I'm one of those people at the bottom of the mountain looking up. Last year I abstained for a record couple of weeks after falling pregnant but unfortunately miscarried and hit the bottle hard. These days I'm doing a little bit better - drinking beer instead of (more alcoholic) wine and staying sober for an average of one day a week. At least I have the courage now to start looking up at people like you climbing the mountain. Before this I spent a lot of time averting my gaze and digging holes.
>
> Ann, I totally relate to your experience of hoping that you could become a normal drinker. I've been playing silly little games with myself lately, attempting to cut down my drinking with the aim of eventually getting by on one standard drink a night. (I've been living under some STUPID delusion that I can accomplish this by controlling my supply...Problem is that I get the taste in my mouth and just wind up back at the bottle shop looking for more...) Letting go really seems to be half the battle but, as you know, it's hard.
>
> I think I will follow in your footsteps and try a medical home detox (ie valium)this week. I found the name of a local doctor with additional qualifications in mental health. I just hope that she doesn't order any liver function tests because the thought of being physically sick sends my anxiety levels through the roof!
>
> About sleep: I couldn't find Trazadone in the Australian Mims (pharmaceutical bible) but it may be sold under a different trade name here. What are its main ingredients? I occasionally use Restavit (an antihistamine) for sleep but doubt that it's suitable for ongoing use.
>
> Thanks for sharing your story, Ann. You'll get there in the end!
>
> Alara
poster:Caper
thread:321829
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040604/msgs/354205.html