Touchy Subject

[Sloopjohnbee]

Benzos are actually very important medicine, for example in treating DTs, the problem is using them as anxiety medicine and doctors handing them out as Candy.

Well how many people walk in with the DT's - they need to be reserved for that because anyone I've ever encountered using Benzos have clearly identified them to be counterproductive, useless, dangerous, and creating atmospheres/events of annoyance for others around them

 

[mso489]

Much of the Greatest Generation, the folks who came through the Great Depression and World War II as young adults, had alcohol built into their lives as nearly a requirement, unless their religion or temperance influences dissuaded them. A lot of them drank a lot, too much, but did not fall into some alcoholism patterns like missing work days or being absent from holidays or family events. Many had stellar careers with alcohol over-use a central part of it, in terms of networking and socializing otherwise with colleagues. Winston Churchill lead the UK war effort with an unending imbibition of Champagne for breakfast and gin martinis on into the evening. He was not that unusual. We're almost hard-wired in some cases not to say, hey, wait a minute, I don't want this drink. Thanks anyway.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

My father died of alcoholism, and it wasn’t until then that we learned that alcohol withdrawal can kill you. I never learned that in school, so I always make it a point to say it, in case there are others like me who didn’t know.

Yes. It killed Townes Van Zandt. He was 52.

 

[Spinkle]

Well how many people walk in with the DT's

Almost any emergency room you go into will certainly have at least one patient suffering from it. Valium is invaluable for it as it keeps the body’s heart rate and core temperature down. It slows you down in essence which is why it works for anxiety. Problem is that it’s mentally and physically addictive so it shouldn’t ever be used as more than a short term solution. Dealing with anxiety purely through pills, of whatever sort, never solves the problem long term - patients need to take responsibility therapy etc. problem seems to be doctors turn a blind eye to people using them as a crutch as it’s easier to write a script and get the person out of your office.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Alcohol withdrawals are not uncommon in the ER, can be very dangerous, and can cause seizures in people who consume very large amounts of alcohol daily for many years. When I worked as a therapist treating people with co-occuring disorders, I had some clients that would have a seizure within hours if they abstained from alcohol. So much so that if they could not get any alcohol, they would preemptively make their way to the ER.

But these were people drinking 1.75 liters + of hard alcohol per day. ”Joe six pack” will not experience anything life threatening by abstaining. Not physically at least.

 

[TheFall]

I as well, come from a family of pretty heavy drinkers, the biggest problem for me was the ability to stay relatively mentally competent despite the large amount of alcohol that I consumed. I mean I would never drive, operate heavy equipment or perform physical tasks but if it was phone call for work or computer work, no problem at all. Was it as good as I could have done sober? Probably not, but it got done in an acceptable manner. This made it really hard for me to justify not drinking to much at night/afternoon/weekends. A lot of my friends/co-workers joked that if I didn't have to drive I would just be wasted all the time. I was always too afraid to get a DUI to risk drinking if there was the possibility that I would have to drive or not be sober by the time I needed to drive. That is probably the thing that kept me from having a bigger problem than I already had. Call me a functional night time alcoholic if you will.

Since there were really no negative side effects that were apparent to me (there were a lot apparent to others though) I never saw it as a problem, or would admit to myself that there was a problem. Then I met my wife and she basically straight out said "you have a problem" and it was sort of a wakeup call as she listed out all the differences between sober me and not so sober me, not to mention the mental problems she noticed I was having. I worked with mainly men, and we all had extremely stressful jobs so it was pretty normal for everyone drink too much. No one would ever mention that there was a problem, because you know, men.

I had a really hard time cutting back, once I started cutting back, my equivalent counterpart at work noticed that I started to change and we started talking about how I was cutting back/quitting and he decided to give it a go with me. We were averaging about a bottle every 1.5 days each. We both got different jobs and removed ourselves from the environment that accepted and encouraged that sort of drinking. Between him and my wife supporting me, I stopped for a while and now am able to have 3-4 drinks per week without going crazy or having issues. I am so much healthier, happier and my wallet is happier now.

I think If I was single, I would probably be in a pretty bad state right now, I work from home because of the quarantine, but my wife helps keep me on track and I am grateful for it. Honestly I encourage anyone that is thinking about quitting or reducing to try it for a while and see how you feel. However, I don't judge each to their own!

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I used to go out and get drunk when i was a kid. For some reason now I just don't like the stuff. My stepson will come over with Scotch, the good stuff.. I find myself dreading finishing the glass.

 

[lightmybriar]

Almost any emergency room you go into will certainly have at least one patient suffering from it. Valium is invaluable for it as it keeps the body’s heart rate and core temperature down. It slows you down in essence which is why it works for anxiety. Problem is that it’s mentally and physically addictive so it shouldn’t ever be used as more than a short term solution. Dealing with anxiety purely through pills, of whatever sort, never solves the problem long term - patients need to take responsibility therapy etc. problem seems to be doctors turn a blind eye to people using them as a crutch as it’s easier to write a script and get the person out of your office.

They put my dad on Valium when he quit, but he panicked after he had a hallucination, which he attributed to the Valium, and stopped taking it. I’m wondering now if it was just caused by the withdrawal. He could only go a few hours before his hands would start shaking uncontrollably to the point where he couldn’t hold a glass to drink from. Terrifying stuff!

 

[trubka2]

I got the alcohol monkey off my back a couple years ago after it almost killed me twice, and I sure have been glad I did. Being a practicing drunk in lockdown sounds like just about the worst kind of misery I can possibly imagine.

 

[bullet08]

Only drink when I'm grilling. Then there are occasional sleepless nights. But don't drink as much as I used to before 16.

 

[Akousticplyr]

I drink daily usually 1/2 a 750ml of bourbon and a beer or 2. On the weekends I drink more. As a "professional" I learn to pace myself as to not get drunk but just keep a nice calm feeling going during the evening.

 

[anotherbob]

haven't had a drink at all during this pandemic. It just doesn't feel fun right now.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I have been drinking less and smoking more.

 

[greeneyes]

I got the alcohol monkey off my back a couple years ago after it almost killed me twice, and I sure have been glad I did. Being a practicing drunk in lockdown sounds like just about the worst kind of misery I can possibly imagine.

Indeed. Sounds like it'd be hell. I gave it up after New Years, and it was good timing too. If drinking is "problematic" it can become more so during lockdown. There are entire countries that have either severely restricted or altogether banned the sale of alcohol during lockdown, and for good reason.

The way the OP describes it seems that there are red flags to suggest it's not a casual thing. For my part I always felt that alcohol improved things very transiently, initially, and then gradually worsened just about everything (literally everything) in the long term.

If I'm to be obsessive about anything then let it be pipes and tobacco.

 

[Akousticplyr]

I have been drinking less and smoking more.

Same here.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

For my part I always felt that alcohol improved things very transiently, initially, and then gradually worsened just about everything (literally everything) in the long term.

Golf while drinking, the first few beers it looks like your gonna break 80... then at the turn you throw that first 12 pack box away, start on the new one, and quit keeping score. Haha

 

[cigrmaster]

What kind of meds do they have you on? BTW big Yes fan here

I start my day with Xaralta which is blood thinner I have to be on y whole life. I have had blood clots twice one leg and one in chest. I I may have another in left leg right now. Then I take Meterprolo which is for high blood pressure, also Lisinopril also for blood pressure At bed time my sleeping meds are 2 800 mg Seraquel , a statin drug for cholesterol and 15 mg of remron which helps with sleep. I have had insomnia for 40 years. I used to self medicate but we all where that leads. I am also on 2mg of Atavan 3 times perday.

I recently lost over 50 pounds and my blood pressure with the 2 meds was too low, I was pulling 84/46. I stopped all blood pressure meds and slowly began with the meterprlol and my pressure is good. My sugar is good as well.

They had me on massive doses gabapentin which didn't do shit. My neurologist gave me a referral for weed doctor and the difference was huge. I still have bad numbness but the stabbing pain is gone. I don't drive anymore as I don't feel safe not feeling my feet. Almost forgot I take 1000mg of Metformin 3 times a day for diabetes which is under control really well.

I also snort a couple of grams of crystal meth right after dinner as digestive. lol
I take no opiates as I would rather be bed ridden than every go on that merry go round again. That shit is way too addictive and the Florida laws are now a joke. The poor cancer patients in this state are being systematically being tortured to death

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Yeah, been drinking and smoking a ton more. But considering we've been experiencing food shortages around here and my county is rushing to re-open despite a current spike in new coronavirus cases I've just lost my ability to care.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Golf while drinking, the first few beers it looks like your gonna break 80... then at the turn you throw that first 12 pack box away, start on the new one, and quit keeping score. Haha

I’m the opposite, I play better on the back 9 after a few beers. Best round my life I shot +5 on the front and -1 on the back. Three beers was the difference.

 

[irishearl]

I start my day with Xaralta which is blood thinner I have to be on y whole life. I have had blood clots twice one leg and one in chest. I I may have another in left leg right now. Then I take Meterprolo which is for high blood pressure, also Lisinopril also for blood pressure At bed time my sleeping meds are 2 800 mg Seraquel , a statin drug for cholesterol and 15 mg of remron which helps with sleep. I have had insomnia for 40 years. I used to self medicate but we all where that leads. I am also on 2mg of Atavan 3 times perday.

I recently lost over 50 pounds and my blood pressure with the 2 meds was too low, I was pulling 84/46. I stopped all blood pressure meds and slowly began with the meterprlol and my pressure is good. My sugar is good as well.

They had me on massive doses gabapentin which didn't do shit. My neurologist gave me a referral for weed doctor and the difference was huge. I still have bad numbness but the stabbing pain is gone. I don't drive anymore as I don't feel safe not feeling my feet. Almost forgot I take 1000mg of Metformin 3 times a day for diabetes which is under control really well.

I also snort a couple of grams of crystal meth right after dinner as digestive. lol
I take no opiates as I would rather be bed ridden than every go on that merry go round again. That shit is way too addictive and the Florida laws are now a joke. The poor cancer patients in this state are being systematically being tortured to death

This is the second time I've seen you (jokingly?) write about using crystal meth. Hopefully it is a joke as that would do a number on you with or without all of your medical problems.