this is so hard!!!

[claire]

is there anyone out there that is struggling?

[claire]

oh yes im... big time

[martin]

I start tomorrow... received my script today. I'm optimistic... but know i'll need some diversions! Please keep it up!

[Linda]

claire wrote:

is there anyone out there that i
s struggling?

How are things going? Are you still struggling or has the antabuse helped your life?

[Jim]

Linda wrote:

<quoted text>
How are things going? Are you still struggling or has the antabuse helped your life?

Antabuse has completely changed my life

[rob italy]

I have been taking antabuse for three weeks now, even though, for some reason, I have literally NO wish to drink after a heavy episode of memory loss. I feel that taking antabuse is simply a sort of safety net, an added reason for avoiding the booze (who wants to end up in the ER?); the essential component in stopping is one's MOTIVATION. I want to stop drinking, so I have. similarly, 42 months ago I quit smoking (from 60 camels per day to zero) without any withdrawal. is it me?????

[Brenda]

Can someone outthere help me help my son. He's 27 and an alcolholic and drug additic. I'm trying to help him but have just had a load of verbal abuse - not for the first time. I want to help hoim but it so hard

[Megan]

Brenda,
I'm an alcoholic and have spent the summer getting sober. Unfortunately, you can't help an alcoholic until he's ready which is usually when he hits bottom. You could force him into rehab but more than likely it will be expensive and uneffective until he's ready. My personal opinion is let him know that you are there for him when he's ready but don't pick up any of the pieces while he's still drinking-don't lend money, don't supply shelter, don't pay fines, don't put him to bed or clean up after him. In my opinion, long before I tried to get sober I wanted to get sober but as most alcoholics know they can't do it themselves which is humiliating and depressing. The thought of staying sober for one week (even two days) was so overwhelming that it made me drink. I have no experience but an intervention may be effective if you have it at a time when he is hitting a low point and is willing to except help. Be sure you have a solution to offer him while doing an intervention (scholorship programs are available at some rehabs if it is not financially an option)If you are thinking of an intervention please research how to do it effectively. Perhaps leaving AA brochures and rehab program brochures around from time to time will help plant the seeds for future help. There are different steps to recovery, realizing you need help- thinking about getting help, getting help and being in recovery. The point being it may take a few days or months for your son to be ready to take action. In the meantime please get to Alanon. It will help supply a support network of people who are going through what you are going through which is really important. Hope this helps--God be with you!

[Stewart]

I'm on day 3 of this and just want to know who's had a drink on these and is it as bad as they say it is, when you do slip?

[Mikey]

Brenda,
Just so you hear "something else" than everyone else seems to be saying. Just so you know there is at least one person (me-self) on this planet, who thinks that: first of all it is ridiculous to think that an alcoholic must hit the rock bottom to start sobering! When it actually happens he often so much doesn't give a damn, or so much sees no sense quitting after ruining his life, he wants to carry on, to have a pleasant "exit".

Secondly, there are mandatory ways to force an addict/alcoholic to stop or undergo treatment. These would entail tricking that person into commiting some crime or "framing" him. My friend did that to his own daughter, a hopeless heroin addict. She had spend 2 years in prison and God only knows what she went through, but she came out and she is and stays clean. This may not work for everyone, it has for her. This is to illustrated that there is some hope. Dim hope, difficult decisions, tough times, but there are things one can do if they cannot add more harm to the one that has already been done.

[Torie]

Stewart wrote:

I'm on day 3 of this and just want to know who's had a drink on these and is it as bad as they say it is, when you do slip?

Hi Stewart,
Whatever you do dont drink on these...I had some christmas pudding a very small serve which had alcohol in it and I was as sick as a dog....it was awfull....so if you are going to drink get the stuff out of you system otherwise you will be sick
Goodluck, its not easy....a struggle everyday for me too...Take care
Torie

[Mike]

I drink 1 beer last night and little top off with a sip of vodka.. Felt really flush.. heart was pounding.. and chest felt compressed..
I drank the beer over an hour and a half and gave up a little afterwards.. went to sleep 12am and woke up at 2am with borderline migraine and took some Advil and shallow breathed until it took effect and went back to sleep.. felt like i had been sloshed already... testing waters..
I have spent years drinking 8+ beers along with vodka so it major cut back but not yet completely.. testing again tonight with same formula but will take Advil before sleeping

[Mike]

btw - i am on 3rd/4th day of 500mg dosage.. stubborn drinker.. drank big glass of water to help flush out whatever needed before went to bed and when waking up

[Jane Bebbington]

claire wrote:

is there anyone out there that is struggling?

I have been on Antabuse for 3 months now and i am not going to lie and say that it is easy, it isn't. You have admitted that you need help and that is the biggest hurdle you can cross. Don't give up and take each day as it comes. There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it takes time to see it.