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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on September 11, 2009, at 7:30:32
i seem to alternate between periods of immaculate self-control - not touching a drink for weeks on end - and binge moments, where i will 'reward' myself for my previous abstinence, and drink excessively (8+ drinks). i understand that might not seem like a lot, but it's still more than i would like to (and i occasionally combine alcohol with prescription stuff ... benzo's [to sleep afterwards], ritalin, etc.)
i called a drugs & alcohol counseling service, but they didn't think my problem was severe enough.
how does one learn to drink, uh, moderately?
Posted by BayLeaf on September 12, 2009, at 9:56:41
In reply to how to stop binging?, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 11, 2009, at 7:30:32
you sound like someone who does not have an "off switch" for alcohol. imo, one cannot be installed.
whoever answered your call at the counseling service is a bonehead. they would like you to wait for your problem to worsen and call back then?, "um...how bout let's wait until you drop out of school or you lose your job, then give us a holler?". Alcoholism is a progressive disease. 5 years from now you will be drinking more, and more.
8 drinks IS a lot, especially when mixed with prescriptions drugs. imo, you are a person who can't live a life which includes moderate drinking. it's all or nothing. are there alcoholics/addicts in your family?
I'm guessing you are youngish. I would suggest that you consider checking out a Young Person's AA meeting. Bmail with questions/concerns or to tell me to shut up. :-)
Bay
Posted by g_g_g_unit on September 12, 2009, at 22:27:29
In reply to Re: how to stop binging? » g_g_g_unit, posted by BayLeaf on September 12, 2009, at 9:56:41
> you sound like someone who does not have an "off switch" for alcohol. imo, one cannot be installed.
>
> whoever answered your call at the counseling service is a bonehead. they would like you to wait for your problem to worsen and call back then?, "um...how bout let's wait until you drop out of school or you lose your job, then give us a holler?". Alcoholism is a progressive disease. 5 years from now you will be drinking more, and more.if anything, my alcohol use has lessened over time. i was brought up strictly and didn't touch alcohol until i left college, which means that i went through a period at 20/21 where i drank heavily each weekend as a way to escape the effect anxiety/OCD was having on my life. once i keyed into the fact that it was never going to be an effective longterm coping strategy, i was able to stop. at the moment i'm suffering from depression and have not really drunk for the past year, aside from one or two occasions. but i fear that a remission might foster a return to my old ways. i don't see myself ever using alcohol as a day-to-day coping strategy; i'm just worried i might accidentally kill myself or something by overdoing it one night
i guess since i'll never be able to install an 'off switch', the only effective treatment will be to treat the underlying social anxiety, which is what i'm trying to do now.
>
> 8 drinks IS a lot, especially when mixed with prescriptions drugs. imo, you are a person who can't live a life which includes moderate drinking. it's all or nothing. are there alcoholics/addicts in your family?not that i'm aware of. my granddad became addicted to painkillers after a car accident which might mean i have the potential lurking in me i guess
>
> I'm guessing you are youngish. I would suggest that you consider checking out a Young Person's AA meeting. Bmail with questions/concerns or to tell me to shut up. :-)
>
> Bayyou're right, i'm 23 - and i appreciate your advice. i always worry that i'm going to be chastised for coming forward with this stuff; i even beat myself up endlessly for what i've done. if the depression ever passes, then ill definitely look into some form of counseling
Posted by BayLeaf on September 13, 2009, at 9:47:32
In reply to Re: how to stop binging?, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 12, 2009, at 22:27:29
why wait for depression to pass b4 getting counseling? therapy and meds combined has been proven to be the best treatment for depression.
that's like waiting for flu to end b4 seeing doc. go to doc, get treated while ill. doc can help with symptoms.
see, I have an answer for everything! seriously, therapy can help. for me, CBT helped a lot. also look for the book Feeling Good. Can be found used super cheap on amazon.
and, of course you know that alcohol is a depressant. so knock it off.
bay
Posted by Gabriel on September 18, 2009, at 13:59:44
In reply to how to stop binging?, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 11, 2009, at 7:30:32
Hi Guys,
I am new to this forum.
I am also a binger, so i try to avoid situations that would encourage my need to drink, I Have not had an alcoholic beverage in almost one year in my book if something is bad for you then avoid it and the things associated with it at all costs.
I can remember in the not so distance past drinking one bottle of red wine my first ever big binge. I had to call 119(live in a third world country) this was the response of the attendant over the phone " well sir we cannt send and ambulance for you as they are out on service duty" ME but I feel like i am going to die Phone attendant " Well sir there are private ambulances that you could hire to come and get you but it will cost 10,000 dollars" that works out to be about 120 usd in my currency after pleading with the lady for a few mins and getting no where i hung up the phone and called a friend they told me to drink a lot of warm water and to induce vom**** .Well I did get most of that wine out Of my system, when I woke in the morning I felt like I was run over with a truck.I did binge many times after that. but we all reach to a point where we begin to question the reliance of some of the thing we do in the name of friends and fun and in my case I made the decision to stop drinking all together and today i am much more happy. IF there is something that is bothering you you need to face up to the problem as drinking will never fix it only you can.
This is the end of the thread.
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