Aside from incidents of losing control or losing memory, OP has also pointed out that people he knows have expressed concern about him, that he has 'caused trouble' to others, and he has tangible losses already as a result of drinking (losing a laptop). All of these pop up as big red flags in my view; I would tend to agree that OP should regard himself as being at risk of even worse circumstances if he continues.
I've stated before here that alcohol is not my big issue, though I am struggling with some other addictions. But when I was a sophomore in college- long time ago now- I had my first couple of blackout experiences with alcohol, too, and it wasn't just a first midjudged experience, either. Both times I said things to people that I didn't remember later, though fortunately they were not offensive or ill-judged, and I wasn't hostile or annoying to anyone, thankfully. I also drank to the point that I was quite ill on weekends, and managed to be sick enough to puke up in a student cafeteria at one point the next day. It was when I sent a very frightening email revealing some very depressed feelings of mine to a friend (fortunately someone who was benevolent and approached me with concern the next day) and didn't even remember having done so, that I was scared enough to look at my drinking at that time as a problem. I was definitely using it as an escape, and moving towards that escape with alarming speed.
So I took a hard look at myself, decided that I wasn't going to go out that way, and stopped drinking completely for a good 4-5 months. When I did finally drink again, it was with the understanding (with myself) that if I ever did so to the point of blackout or serious physical illness that I would have to consider an even longer dry spell or more extreme discipline.
I think now, that I was lucky that I apparently do not have a really big *physical* or *physiological* tendency towards alcohol addiction, because it is not through any merit of my own that I got through that period in my life without developing such a tendency into maximum disaster. When I was ready to calm down, take a break, and re-examine my life in a more healthy way, I wasn't handicapped by the physical trap of addiction. I certainly had been abusing it psychologically as much as I could manage at the time.
One difference I perceive when I read the stories others have posted, such as OP, is that I don't feel anything like "I've gotta have one more" when I drink, for which I am very grateful- it seems, as others here have said, this feeling is a telltale sign of troubles ahead. During those binge days of mine in college, I was simply trying to drink enough not to feel anymore, and that took a lot. Unfortunately, I've developed some other troublesome feeling-avoidance mechanisms in my repertoire that work a lot better for me (and against me, too) than alcohol did, but I'm glad not to have that as one more thing on my list of challenges.
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Drinking Binges
Started by Baa_Mango, 2011-08-14 11:26
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29 replies to this topic
#27
StreetCowboy
Titanium Member Posted 2011-09-22 23:13:17
Aside from incidents of losing control or losing memory, OP has also pointed out that people he knows have expressed concern about him, that he has 'caused trouble' to others, and he has tangible losses already as a result of drinking (losing a laptop). All of these pop up as big red flags in my view; I would tend to agree that OP should regard himself as being at risk of even worse circumstances if he continues. I've stated before here that alcohol is not my big issue, though I am struggling with some other addictions. But when I was a sophomore in college- long time ago now- I had my first couple of blackout experiences with alcohol, too, and it wasn't just a first midjudged experience, either. Both times I said things to people that I didn't remember later, though fortunately they were not offensive or ill-judged, and I wasn't hostile or annoying to anyone, thankfully. I also drank to the point that I was quite ill on weekends, and managed to be sick enough to puke up in a student cafeteria at one point the next day. It was when I sent a very frightening email revealing some very depressed feelings of mine to a friend (fortunately someone who was benevolent and approached me with concern the next day) and didn't even remember having done so, that I was scared enough to look at my drinking at that time as a problem. I was definitely using it as an escape, and moving towards that escape with alarming speed. So I took a hard look at myself, decided that I wasn't going to go out that way, and stopped drinking completely for a good 4-5 months. When I did finally drink again, it was with the understanding (with myself) that if I ever did so to the point of blackout or serious physical illness that I would have to consider an even longer dry spell or more extreme discipline. I think now, that I was lucky that I apparently do not have a really big *physical* or *physiological* tendency towards alcohol addiction, because it is not through any merit of my own that I got through that period in my life without developing such a tendency into maximum disaster. When I was ready to calm down, take a break, and re-examine my life in a more healthy way, I wasn't handicapped by the physical trap of addiction. I certainly had been abusing it psychologically as much as I could manage at the time. One difference I perceive when I read the stories others have posted, such as OP, is that I don't feel anything like "I've gotta have one more" when I drink, for which I am very grateful- it seems, as others here have said, this feeling is a telltale sign of troubles ahead. During those binge days of mine in college, I was simply trying to drink enough not to feel anymore, and that took a lot. Unfortunately, I've developed some other troublesome feeling-avoidance mechanisms in my repertoire that work a lot better for me (and against me, too) than alcohol did, but I'm glad not to have that as one more thing on my list of challenges. I wish I was as intolerant of my own failings... Or, phrasing that in a more constructive manner, I should develop a similar commitment to improvement... SC #28
Ijustwannateach
Star Member Posted 2011-10-01 00:02:00
^Thanks- but there was a long way for me to go, 'cause I'm still at it! However, a lot more honest with myself and others about what I am doing now.
#29
ukrules
Super Member Posted 2011-10-07 03:00:49
I was given this drug as an outpatient in a top UK hospital. I was still drinking with it. I believe this drug enables an alcoholic to drink as a normal person does. I had no idea that it would help an alcoholic that had quit for some time, and stuill can't see how it would help. This drug would have no benefit for someone who drinks too much but is not an alcoholic as their body does not produce the "natural opiates" that happens in an alcoholic's body. You're correct when you say this. Naltrexone has absolutely no benefit to someone who doesn't drink as many studies have shown. The only studies in which it worked were the ones where people continued to drink alcohol. This process is known as 'pharmacological extinction' and only occurs when people drink while taking the naltrexone. Detailed information : http://www.thesinclairmethod.net Studies : http://sites.google....trexone-alcohol There's a book on this subject as well. I've been reading it recently and it's a pretty interesting read. There is more recent information available than that which has been mentioned in this topic. #30
GrahamF
Senior Member Posted 2011-10-07 19:50:58
I was given this drug as an outpatient in a top UK hospital. I was still drinking with it. I believe this drug enables an alcoholic to drink as a normal person does. I had no idea that it would help an alcoholic that had quit for some time, and stuill can't see how it would help. This drug would have no benefit for someone who drinks too much but is not an alcoholic as their body does not produce the "natural opiates" that happens in an alcoholic's body. You're correct when you say this. Naltrexone has absolutely no benefit to someone who doesn't drink as many studies have shown. The only studies in which it worked were the ones where people continued to drink alcohol. This process is known as 'pharmacological extinction' and only occurs when people drink while taking the naltrexone. Detailed information : http://www.thesinclairmethod.net Studies : http://sites.google....trexone-alcohol There's a book on this subject as well. I've been reading it recently and it's a pretty interesting read. There is more recent information available than that which has been mentioned in this topic. Out of pure curiosity, would this brief article be considered a reasonable summation of the sinclair method or treatment of alcoholism with naltrexone? http://hamsnetwork.org/naltrexone/ |
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