I need help and support

[Kitstar]

Can anyone help me? I am totally depressed, stressed and sad but on the surface everyone thinks I'm ok. I have a secret problem with drinking and I need some advice on how to break the awful downward spiral that my life is in. My appetite is small and random. I feel I have done too much damage to my body to ever get back to normal, which makes me feel like just carrying on the way I'm going. I'm not interested in attending any groups etc. I cannot socialise and I'm constantly in a bad mood. Any help would be welcome

[empyr3al]

Hi and welcome to MWO!

There are tons of options depending on the severity of your affliction. I personally use medications for assistance and its a hot topic as people try different things and none of them seem to be a one patch fits all. Some are obviously better than others and some work together. Pharma is developing slower than most would like and it takes a ton of patience to figure out what suits you best.

As you say you do not like groups or socializing. Reaching out for tips and others on the forum is a good step. I personally have done meetings and they only caused me more grief but for some they work. One on one therapy with qualified people really worked well for me. Without a basis of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) I would probably be lost. For me CBT works as a solid foundation to work with the medications I have.

My hiding behaviors grew into something crazy and my ex-wife is stunned i'm alive after the insanity I have done to my body. Once I began hiding and lying the shame and guilt and worry became overwhelming and I obsessed over it. You're in a good spot here with people that are at different stages and methods of recovery.

If you have any questions about medication or CBT feel free to ask me or others on the forum. Most of us have varied levels of experience with all of them. We are not doctors so keep that in mind. We are experienced in what works for us individually mostly.

I'm not sure the scale or level of your drink but do watch out if you try to detox yourself to 0 immediately. Every time you do it, it seems to get worse and what we call "kindling". There are threatening conditions during detox if it's a physical dependency and you might need medical assistance. Most definately talk to your doctor and get blood testing to see where you stand. If you are still drinking consider taking B1 (Thiamine) so you can avoid the mental deterioration of "wet brain" or Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome. Not to frighten you, its just fact that B1 is depleted with daily drinking. If your goal is to curb the level watch and read some of the science in medication studies and news reports.

I wish you all the best.

[Kitstar]

Thank you so much for your advice. I'm going to read it all through again. I especially like the idea of CBT. I really appreciate your reply. I need to get my life back on track.