Addiction & Recovery

Peregrine Took

(7,502 posts) Sun Dec 11, 2011, 09:47 PM Dec 2011

Can I be a member here if I am trying to cut back?

Just trying to break the "cocktails at 6 syndrome" I've been into for a long time. Not sure its an addiction but a real strong habit and I definitely want to break it.
Thanks.

13 replies

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Highlight:

Can I be a member here if I am trying to cut back? (Original Post) Peregrine Took Dec 2011 OP

I'm in the same kind of boat-mild but weighing me down. tfsoccer Dec 2011 #1

Every one is welcome NMDemDist2 Dec 2011 #2

I don't see why not get the red out Dec 2011 #3

Welcome to the club! Taverner Dec 2011 #4

The idea of quitting altogether is not "do-able" right now. Peregrine Took Dec 2011 #5

as someone with anxiety issues ... MH1 Dec 2011 #7

Yes- a doctor can help a great deal. I'd be lost without my doctor. BeHereNow Dec 2011 #8

What beta blocker did your doctor prescribe, if I may ask? BeHereNow Dec 2011 #9

Propranolol 10 mg MH1 Dec 2011 #10

Tell you brother smoking is also a habit (some say), till they try quiting. demosincebirth Dec 2011 #12

Here is a site I have found very helpful... Lisa0825 Dec 2011 #6

Not for many of us who frequent this site. nt demosincebirth Dec 2011 #13

Does it affect your life in any negative way or anyone else s? demosincebirth Dec 2011 #11

tfsoccer

(66 posts)

1. I'm in the same kind of boat-mild but weighing me down.

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Sun Dec 11, 2011, 09:53 PM

Dec 2011

best wishes to all of us!

NMDemDist2

(49,314 posts)

2. Every one is welcome

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Sun Dec 11, 2011, 09:53 PM

Dec 2011

but there is no just 'cutting back' in addiction. But we'll talk to you and encourage you and answer questions if we can

get the red out

(13,579 posts)

3. I don't see why not

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Mon Dec 12, 2011, 12:58 PM

Dec 2011

People need to do what works for them. Just my opinion.

Taverner

(55,476 posts)

4. Welcome to the club!

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Mon Dec 12, 2011, 05:12 PM

Dec 2011

I'm in the process of the same thing...

If you're like me, you do it out of boredom

I have found making my drinks at half strength helps

Peregrine Took

(7,502 posts)

5. The idea of quitting altogether is not "do-able" right now.

Reply to Peregrine Took (Original post)

Tue Dec 13, 2011, 12:37 PM

Dec 2011

I have had a life long problem with anxiety which I try to handle (sometimes I win, sometimes it wins) with running, meditation, prayer and positive thinking.

All that is well and good but rather exhausting and by sunset I really just like to kick back and enjoy a martini or a scotch which allows me to relax for about 4 or 5 hours. Right now I'm on an "every other day" thing which I can just accept but I'm not happy about it!

The older I get the harder it is to manage.

Thanks for your kind responses.

I look forward to getting to know you all.

P.S. My abstemious brother (runs in the family via dad) says drinking is just a habit. That's what I keep telling myself!

MH1

(18,147 posts)

7. as someone with anxiety issues ...

Reply to Peregrine Took (Reply #5)

Thu Dec 15, 2011, 07:44 PM

Dec 2011

have you talked to a doctor? My doc prescribed a beta blocker for situational anxiety and it has worked well for me. If you can treat the anxiety medically, maybe you can stop using alcohol for that, and that will make you more free to choose not to drink some days.

BeHereNow

(17,162 posts)

8. Yes- a doctor can help a great deal. I'd be lost without my doctor.

Reply to MH1 (Reply #7)

Sat Dec 24, 2011, 06:30 PM

Dec 2011

I currently take Wellbutrin and Ativan, a very mild sedative.
It does wonders for my anxiety which I have had all my life.
I know I was self medicating the anxiety for years prior to getting help.
I did the AA thing but it did nothing for my anxiety condition, it actually made it worse.
Wellbutrin works wonders as a mood elevator and also can be helpful
in reducing the "Craving" for a drink or cigarettes.

Talk to your doctor, be honest about your condition and concerns.
Modern medicine has come a long way in helping people like us.

BHN

BeHereNow

(17,162 posts)

9. What beta blocker did your doctor prescribe, if I may ask?

Reply to MH1 (Reply #7)

Sat Dec 24, 2011, 06:32 PM

Dec 2011

I'm interested in learning more about that treatment.
Thanks in advance,
BHN

MH1

(18,147 posts)

10. Propranolol 10 mg

Reply to BeHereNow (Reply #9)

Mon Dec 26, 2011, 09:27 PM

Dec 2011

I think that's a fairly low dose but it works for me. I was getting panic attacks due to situational anxiety, and this seems to take the edge off just enough.