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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lisa Simpson on May 29, 2001, at 9:37:39
Hi Sar, how are you doing? I went for six days without any alcohol (can you believe it!!), but on Saturday my other half invited friends round for a barbecue, and they brought a bottle of gin with them. How could I refuse such an offer? So I drank - quite a lot, as it happened. And on the Sunday, I thought, what the hell, I might as well have some more, seeing as how I had already broken my promise to myself.
Oh Sar, this is so difficult. Sometimes I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up! Do you ever feel so down?
I hope things are going good for you. Please let me know. I'm thinking of you.
Lisa
Posted by sar on May 30, 2001, at 0:45:04
In reply to HI SAR! Are you there?, posted by Lisa Simpson on May 29, 2001, at 9:37:39
Hey Lisa,
6 days! Good for you, chica...I'm proud! That's better than I've done. It seems that when our pledge began, my alcohol intake increased in frequency...the ole denial = desire equation, I think...I've been drinking nearly everyday but *still* no blackouts (2 months, woohoo!).
"Sometimes I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up! Do you ever feel so down?" Yes...one of the most important reasons why I drink is so I can fall into bed and crash immediately & hard...I'm very scared of sleeping fitfully/lightly.
My pdoc recently (2 days ago) doubled my dose of Prozac...I was on 20 mg for a month and now I'm on 40. Even on 20 mg my tolerance lowered, and won't it be a joy if I'm an absolute lightweight on 40...we'll see.
Do you think it might be more helpful to cut down first rather than go cold turkey? For example, I've had lots of friends who smoke 20 cigs a day but crave only 3 or so...and I tend to drink 7 days a week but crave alc maybe 4 or 5 of those days...I'm thinking of the Taoist theory of "don't try"...does this make any sense? Like only give in w/ an intense craving?
Hope you're doing well.
best,
sar
Posted by Marie1 on May 30, 2001, at 8:01:24
In reply to Re: HI SAR! Are you there?, posted by sar on May 30, 2001, at 0:45:04
First, let me apologize. I feel like I've been eavesdropping in on a private conversation between you two. I was following your posts re: drinking before and almost responded then, but didn't. I can soooo relate - I'd like to jump on your bandwagon - pun intended :)! Alcohol is a major detriment to my recovery and I can't seem to stop. This used to be the predominant theme in therapy until recently other issues came to light. In fact, if anything, I've been drinking more as of late. And I hate it afterwards - I feel and look like shit. How are you guys curtailing that craving? Please let me know of anything that seems to work. I went to AA once but wasn't impressed. All they were doing (IMO), was try to out do each other in the "wasn't I awful?" category. Anyway, I wish you both success.
Marie
Posted by Lisa Simpson on May 30, 2001, at 16:09:59
In reply to Re: HI SAR! Are you there?, posted by Marie1 on May 30, 2001, at 8:01:24
Hi Marie - no need to apologise! Welcome to the club!
Unfortunately, I can't offer any suggestions on how to deal with the craving, because I still crave. Really, the only thing that makes me even attempt this is the fact that I'm going on holiday at the end of July, and I want to lose some weight before I go - or people will scream and run away when they see me in a bikini!
Also, I had an hour with a therapist a few weeks ago, and she made it very clear what would happen to me if I continued drinking at the rate I was. Things like brain damage - frightening stuff like that.
But it's very difficult. I fell back last night, and drank half a bottle of vodka, then had some wine. This morning I felt like nothing on earth. I remembered another reason why I wanted to stop - I'm fed up with feeling so sick the following day!
Anyway, so tonight I'm back to square one. It's 10 at night, and I've not had a drink. Tomorrow's another day!
Lisa
Posted by Lisa Simpson on May 30, 2001, at 16:17:41
In reply to Re: HI SAR! Are you there?, posted by sar on May 30, 2001, at 0:45:04
Hi Sar - if you read my post to Marie, you'll see I've had a bit of a setback. So tonight I'm back to square one... sigh!
Glad to hear that you've had no more blackouts - that's great.
Did I tell you that I am on Prozac too? Started a couple of weeks ago. I'm waiting to feel different! How did it affect you?
You're absolutely right about the falling into bed bit. I feel the same. When I go to bed without having had anything to drink, I sleep badly - keep waking up etc.
I should tell you that one symptom I have that is very bad is losing my memory. So if I repeat things I have said before, I'm sorry!
I can't just cut down. It wouldn't work for me. One or two drinks would do nothing for me, so I would just keep on... and on...
I gave up smoking two years ago. And then I just stopped completely, without cutting down first. Still fancy a smoke now and then though!Lisa
Posted by sar on May 31, 2001, at 10:24:27
In reply to Re: HI SAR! Are you there?, posted by Lisa Simpson on May 30, 2001, at 16:17:41
Lisa,
How's square one going? :)
It seems to me that I will find any excuse to drink. Get a speeding ticket, pull over for beer. Receive an upsetting letter, breakout the gin + juice.
What in the world do you do with all of your newly sober time? I'm so afraid of feeling bored and restless. It's also difficult for me to socialize without alcohol.
Do ya like Prozac? My pdoc doubled the dose 'cos it wasn't doing enough for me...but some of the effects have been lowered appetite + libido, a *bit* less anxious, and better clarity of reasoning. I feel a bit less volatile. (I feel like I'm a very volatile person tho, so there's a lot of work to be done on that one.) I like Prozac, which is saying a lot...I was very anti-meds before my depression became a full-blown perdition, and have tried them very, very warily, expecting the worst.
My memory is terrible too! No need to apologize! Repeat all you want, as I'm sure I've done (and will be doing) my fair share of that...
Have you had any more blackouts? What size bottle of vodka are you speaking of?
I can't stop at one or 2 drinks either. What I meant was cutting down frequency (which might be a lost cause too, I dunno.)
sar
This is the end of the thread.
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