Going into rehab

[theoldboiler]

I fell off the wagon just before Christmas, no excuses, just major family stress reasons which I didn't cope with. Had an endoscopy yesterday to reassure myself I wouldn't have a bleed in there. I am absolutely terrified of detoxing on my own, away from husband etc. They use benzos and anti-emetics to help with the side effects but does anyone here have experience ofwhat has helped them in detox? There will be lots of counselling, groups etc which I will embrace but it is the initial isolated detox I am scared of. Thank you. Wendy

[Zukosmile07]

Hi Wendy. It took me a few attempts to stop, it was what I consultant said to me..... Dan your liver cuput.

Yes I was dying 1 to 3 years to live.

I'll never forget what my liver specialist said when I was first diagnosed with cirrhosis, if you carry on you will die.

You have to be honest and 💯 committed in your head. The magic beans sort the withdrawals but doesn't matter if your head isn't ready.

Be committed and don't become like I was because liver failure hurts and so does everything that comes with it.

Good luck.... Knock em bandy and surprise everyone including yourself.....

Danny x 😇

[theoldboiler in reply to Zukosmile07]

Thank you Danny

[DavyGravy]

Hi Wendy

we all slip up occasionally, in this case you were tripped by family stress, but you know it happened, you put a stop to the drinking and you are going to embrace the counselling.

So you were temporarily side tracked but now are straight back on the right path. You will not be alone in detox, you will be with others who are feeling the same so you will have a bond, we will all be there with you in spirit and if you have your mobile we will be here waiting for your messages.

As family stress caused this, perhaps you could see this time away from all family as a stress free break and see it as a good thing, if you can be apart from others and get through it, it means you did this, nobody else, you had the strength to detox.

The medication is just to help, it is a friend, an ally just to ease the journey back to sobriety. Do not be afraid, you can do this, you will do this and we will be rooting for you.

Be strong, it will pass quickly.

Dave x

[theoldboiler in reply to DavyGravy]

Thank you Dave

[Ubwa]

Good luck! As you know, I put myself in rehab and it has had a positive affect. I didn't need to go to "detox" as I could stop myself drinking for periods by will power but always went back to it in stressful situations, because my head was all over the place. The value I got out of rehab was coping mechanisms, how to deal with temptation etc.

Seems to have paid off...lost an Uncle I was very close to just before Christmas from liver cancer and then 3 weeks later, my grandmother - who was my uncle's mother and I wasn't once tempted to hit the juice again.

[theoldboiler in reply to Ubwa]

Thank you for the support and your other kind messages. I know I will lose my father and brother in the not too distant future and I will need coping strategies not involving alcohol- looking forward to learning xxx Wendy

[briccolone in reply to theoldboiler]

Hi Wendy-I always found alcohol to be very bad as a "coping strategy"-worsens stress, ruins your sleep patterns which in turn worsens stress. You probably already know this. I've been on several self imposed detoxes and always try and remember how good it feels to feel normal. I did 9 months "dry" during lockdown-lost 8kg and looked & felt a lot better. If you feel better about yourself you can cope with most things I find. Not saying it's easy-goodluck! K

[theoldboiler in reply to briccolone]

Thank you K 😘

[Beauport in reply to Ubwa]

Well done you. My problem is that, although I gave up alcohol 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with cirrhosis, I've never developed sufficient coping mechanisms to enable me to handle massive stress when it comes along. I recently heard my only nephew had died and I went straight for the brandy and wine. I did climb back on the wagon after a few days, but I dread, say, my husband dying before me because I know I will just hit that bottle and never stop. Do you have any suggestions/recommendations for me? Thanks.

[Lola1977 in reply to Beauport]

I’d say if you’ve given up alcohol for four years and you’re aware of your triggers than it’s a good start..this may sound silly but when I first quit drinking and had to sit thru boozy family get togethers I was knocking back alcohol free champagne..it did the trick, it was really wierd

[theoldboiler in reply to Lola1977]

I have never given up alcohol for four years, that is why I am in rehab

[Ubwa in reply to Beauport]

I am a year totally off it and it’s like I was before I started. Doesn’t enter my mind.

Some tips:

Create an association between alcohol and something unpleasant. Initially I used to see a bottle of alcohol and tell myself it was bleach. I also would remember back to my lowest point in hospital. For me that was some doctor shoving a dnr under my nose for me to sign( I told him where I thought he should put it). I’m also stubborn, tell me I’m going to die and I’ll prove you wrong. Had the initial downside of superman syndrome but that quickly got knocked out of me.

Another early tip, if you can, remove yourself from the stressful environment that makes you want to drink. Can’t always be done, but if it can be - do it and be selfish about it if you need to. Your health is worth more than hurt feels or similar.

I didn’t need much to help me back onto the straight and narrow but others had serious underlying issues that when drilled into where the root cause. There is unfortunately no one size fits all. Lots of people swear by AA, and if it works for you great - it definitely doesn’t for me. What will always help is getting help from a professional if you are struggling.

[theoldboiler in reply to Ubwa]

I am going to try AA but have a feeling it may not suit me either. I am lining up other resources too

[Beauport in reply to Ubwa]

Thanks. I do have unresolved underlying issues, but all the counselling and therapy I've had over the years hadn't cracked it. Maybe I should try again.

[theoldboiler in reply to Beauport]

Early days as I am just leaving rehab today which has been enormously good for me. Are you having any therapy or are you a part of any groups?

[Beauport in reply to theoldboiler]

No. Over the years I've had loads of counselling and therapy but I've never been able to sort out my underlying issues. I think it's likely I'm suffering from long-term PTSD, if that's even possible?

[theoldboiler in reply to Beauport]

It is

[cfre]

Hi, I have been to rehab a couple of times and tbh the drinkers always seem to cope better in detox, I was a drug user. You will most likely do a 7-10 day taper with librium/ valium (both benzos) and ime you should be fine. They are used to stop fitting and the shakes, good luck!

[theoldboiler in reply to cfre]

Librium and valium are contra-indicated with advanced liver disease. I have forgotten the name of the benzo they use but it is more "liver friendly". I don't think they taper, I have to be "clean" from the moment I arrive. Not even allowed perfume of mouthwash!

[Ubwa in reply to theoldboiler]

Probably lorazepam

[theoldboiler in reply to Ubwa]

No, it's Oxasepam. Very effective

[Browsingquietly]

You will be fine, the medication will take the edge off the withdrawal symptoms, hopefully you can have your phone with you and keep distracted? Distraction and keeping contact with others is a huge help for me through the withdrawal period. Lots of rest, plenty of water. And reminding yourself constantly that 'this will pass'. It's good that you're looking forward to embracing the therapy in there, wishing you lots of luck xxx

[theoldboiler in reply to Browsingquietly]

Thank you so much. I have downloaded lots of audio books and I am allowed my phone, kindle and laptop. I think I may just sign off for a couple of days as detox is messy apart from letting my husband know I am OK

[pushthrough]

Hello Wendy, I second Danny and was told if I kept drinking I was going to die very young. As far as detox goes I’m glad you made the choice of rehab. The ER played my rehab and they didn’t have too either. The benzos helped a ton when it came to getting through the worst of the withdrawals. Benzos have same effect on your brain as alcohol which is why it works.

I’m not sure of how bad off your liver is but if its in the f3 to cirrhosis stage if you don’t quit drinking you will have a short life. I really hope rehab helps and best wishes.

[Smegmer]

I said, no no no