Posted by bluedog on February 16, 2003, at 9:46:49
In reply to Mood and alcohol, posted by PuraVida on February 13, 2003, at 1:08:14
> Is there anyone here who is either self-medicating with alcohol and wants to stop or cut down, or who has successfully done so?
>
>I used to self medicate. It started when I was about 17 and I used to binge every weekend but it gradually progressed to the point where I was drinking 2/3 to nearly one full bottle of scotch or bourbon almost every night for well over a year. It's an absolute miracle that I was able to hold my job during that period.
I quit cold turkey last June 2002. My depression and level of functioning actually worsened for around 3-6 months after quitting but I believe quitting probably saved my life as I would have ended up on skid row pretty quickly if I hadn't stopped as my level of alcohol consumption was finally starting to catch up with me physically and I was starting to get sick all the time (not just from the hangovers but with chronic fatigue and an immune system that was collapsing around me).
I dabbled with moderate drinking around Christmas and New Year recently but realised pretty quickly that even tiny amounts of alcohol have horrific depressant effects on me. I think my past excesses have permanently changed my brain chemistry and I doubt whether even occasional social drinking will ever again be an option for me.
I've said this before to other posters but I was inspired to quit drinking after seeing an interview with the Scottish comedian Billy Connolly at the time. He used to be a chronic alcoholic but hasn't had a drink in over 18 years. Billy Connolly is one of my heroes and I would highly recommend his biography "Billy Connolly" written by his wife Pamela Stephenson. I guarantee you that this book will inspire you!!!
I figure that if he can survive without drinking after all he's been through then so can I! Though I won't kid you that it's easy to quit...whenever I go through a "rough patch" I remember with much fondness the temporary relief that alcohol used to bring me but so far I have been strong and with each passing week it becomes a little easier to resist the temptation to start self medicating again.
I hope this helps you a little.
warm regards
bluedog
poster:bluedog
thread:2604
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030203/msgs/200878.html