I can't stop

[babs]

Help. I can't stop. I drink too much, too often. Does Topomax really help with binge drinking? Does Kudzu? I hate myself. I can't go to AA meetings because I can't bring myself to do that. My drinking habits seem to be similar(sp?) to you all in this group. I wish it would just go away.

[Seacailin]

I can't advise you on the meds. I just downloaded the book and I am going to review the meds with my doc tomorrow. I will tell u that I felt just as hopeless as you do and YOU CAN STOP !! I had to get medical help to detox, but I am on day 4 AF. Stick around. There are alot of people here who can advise and support u.

[DeeBee]

Hi Babs,

I Have been on Topa for 8 weeks now and although I wasn't a binge drinker i used to drink a steady 5lt of wine or more during the week and then a 2lt of wine a night each on a friday and saturday.
The Topa has worked for me. I have upped the dosage slower than reccommed but the rewards have been fantastic.

Currently I am modding and drinking one glass of wine a night durning the week and i allow myself two on the weekend if there is a special occassion. Sundays are AF. The most amazing thing is that I do NOT crave the second glass of wine and even the first glass of wine does not hold the same appeal as before. I am also taking the suppliments and vitamins and can feel my brain thanking me.

I know I still have a way to go, but I am looking forward to the rest of my journey and for the first time I am even contlemplating going totally AF for 30 days which before used to give me the total hibby jibbies just thinking about.

You are welcome to PM me if you want me to go into more detail.

Dee

[TimeToChange]

DeeBee,

I am curious about how people manage to moderate and your plan sounds like a good one to me, but I just can't get used to the idea of taking an anti-seizure drug.

I like the AF Sundays - helps establish control. When you say 1 glass of wine - how much are we talking about? I have many different sized wine glasses

[Rolo]

Is it really possible to have 2 glasses of wine, get the buzz and not want another? I think it was Brenda in RJ's book that said it so well - something like after glass two she just didn't have the good sense anymore to stop there. That's me for sure...

Besides, I get a buzz after one whiskey. Guess I should drink a little slower

[babs]

Hi Everybody. Thanks so much for your responses. Nice to know I'm not alone. I have the topomax, but I also feel weird about taking it. But if you say it wworks, then I'll give it a try. I am interested to hear what your doctor has to say, Seacailin. Thank you all. I'm going to do this. xxxooo

[DeeBee]

Funny you should ask about the size of my wine glass, just the other day I had a little "chat" to myself about that...lol. My one glass of wine is the equavalint to 2.3 units which is with in the UK goverments recommended daily limit. I have also found a wine that has even less AL, (8% vol) which brings it down to 2.1 units, but it is more expensive.

I hear what you are saying about the Topa being an anit-seizure drug but the way I see it is that a lot of drugs were developed initially for one illness and then found that they could cure another illness, (if Im not mistaken wasn't Viagra one of them...lol!!)

I am just greatful that it is working for me, I know not everyone has had great sucess with it, so I think it's a good idea to discuss it with your Doctor.

Let me know how you are all doing.

[DeeBee]

Originally Posted by Rolo

Is it really possible to have 2 glasses of wine, get the buzz and not want another? I think it was Brenda in RJ's book that said it so well - something like after glass two she just didn't have the good sense anymore to stop there. That's me for sure...

Besides, I get a buzz after one whiskey. Guess I should drink a little slower

Hi Rolo,

I have only been modding for the last 8 weeks and I definetly haven't felt any "buzz" whilst doing it. For me that's the catch 22. Once I get on a buzz it's all down hill for me.

My aim in the long run is to be a social drinker - as in i would like to be able to say yes to a glass of wine if I would like one but I don't want to crave one nor do I want to crave the buzz.... for me the "buzz" is what I am staying away from!!!

Dee

[TimeToChange]

DeeBee,

I just spent a bunch of time on the Internet trying to figure out how much 2.3 units of wine would be and I've given up First of all there are conflicting numbers and secondly for the life of me I can't do the conversion to ounces or mL - can you give me the answer in one of those? Please? LOL...

I have been thinking about a lower alcohol wine but haven't actually looked yet. I would pay the extra cost since i would be saving so much not buying as much!

What I meant about the Topa is that it acts on your brain and is a powerful drug - I wouldn't mind taking a drug that cured rashes but also helped with drinking. Here is a weird thing, my husband takes Neorontin (also an anti-seizure drug) but he takes it for a completely different purpose - peripheral neuropathy. i checked it out and it is used now to help with alcohol withdrawal.

He drinks so much ON the drug, I am scared to think what would happen if they took him off.

Sigh... Not ready to discuss with my doc since i am still "in the closet" about my drinking. Afraid of his opinion, but also what effect it might have on insurance and such.

Thanks for your reply and hope to talk to you soon.

[TimeToChange]

I don't drink for the buzz and I don't drink to get drunk - usually...

I drink to improve my mood, I drink cause I like the taste, I drink to quiet the voice in my head reminding me how I've messed up - of course drinking too much just gives the voice something else to complain about tomorrow.

My problem seems to be that I don't have the "off" switch - once I start I just don't stop "normally" like other people (damn social drinkers lol). i have to have rules in place, preset limits, and to stop before it is too late to care about them. I have been able to do it before for pretty long stretches and i am older and more motivated now than i have ever been. We'll see how it goes.