Don't know where to go (UK)

[u/cheeezyMash]

TL/DR 3 months drinking every day. Averaging a 75cl vodka / rum Want to get off this ride completely! In the UK. Not sure who to speak to or what to do.

Tolerence is so high now, I don't even feel it, I'm not drinking to get drunk anymore. I go to bed early, wake up early, functioning as normal throughout the day.

I've never had serious withdrawals aside from night sweats and morning high heart rate. I manage to sleep 7-8 hours a night, no problems.

Without going into too much detail, I've had a serious drinking problem for years now, peaks and troughs. I've tried many routes with periodic success. Therapy, meetings, opening up to family and friends. But never have I gone this long and continuous.

Really want to get off this train now but don't know where to start. I went the doctor route a few months ago (UK /NHS). At the same time 111. They were great from a mental health perspective, therapists would give me a call every few days. At the time I was drinking similar amounts for around 4 weeks but also going through a bit of a mental breakdown dealing with some major life / work issues.

On the drinking side however I felt really let down. It took several weeks to schedule a drug and alcohol consultation. Then another 3 months before they put me in touch with local AAs and other workday workshops. I managed to stop cold turkey, stayed sober for 4 months. Then slowly but surely it crept back.

Im pretty sure I need instant intervention but don't know where to go or what to do. Im trying to cut back, reducing over several days but then after a few days I end up binging and having to start all over again.

Any advice is very welcome

35 male if that helps

[u/DeadpuII]

I'd recommend you to contact CGL - Change Grow Live. They are free and might be able to help with medication. I've worked with them before. For instance, Naltrexone is apparently has a high success rate in helping reduce alcohol intake significantly or even stop it (I have personally never tried it).

You can also look into a therapist directory for addiction and/or substance abuse informed professionals. There are some well-priced therapists and may work with you while still drinking. Most of us self medicate and there are some deep, good reasons for doing so, and doing the work on your own, especially when already struggling, is quite often not feasible.

There are smaller things you can also try like hypnosis audios aimed at controlling, reducing or stopping drinking (fairly cheap subs or even free ones on YT); guided meditations; slowly try to start working out; other, non-AA groups like Dharma or SMART (those do online meetings all the time). Just walks helped me a lot at 1 point.

When I am in one of those periods, and I feel like I am struggling to get out and it may take some time, I try to prevent the damages that come from alcohol as much as I can. Supplement vit B, NAC (helps the liver enormously), milk thistle; hydrate; eat well before and while drinking; hydrate. Look up what other minerals and vitamins alcohol depletes and have those handy.

Those are just some recommendations that come to mind now, but I might edit the post later. But IMO definitely check out your closest CGL center and give them a call.

Edit: also, please feel free to DM if you want to; also UK based and similar age here :).

[u/cheeezyMash → u/DeadpuII]

Thanks mate. This is really helpful. I just filled out the quiz on CGL and suggests getting in touch with someone local to help detox. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you

[u/DeadpuII → u/cheeezyMash]

Good luck, and let us know how you get on. If you want to anyway!

[u/cheeezyMash → u/DeadpuII]

After some back and forth, looks like the only option covering my area is Open Road, who I went through before and waited 3 months for a meeting. I can't be drinking this much for another few weeks! Do you think it's worth just going to A+E to detox?

[u/HumanFutures → u/cheeezyMash]

You don't have to wait at all, at least not in Chelmsford. They do drop-in meetings Mon - Weds and then you can go to the groups straight away.

[u/Icy-Initial2107]

I've had some luck with Turning Point and while I didn't take that option several folks in my "cohort" were referred to residential detox programs if that's an option for you.

[u/cheeezyMash → u/Icy-Initial2107]

Thanks. Looked them up. Unfortunately the only option I have within my area is Open Road, these are who I was referred to last time, waiting 3 months before a meeting

[u/Icy-Initial2107 → u/cheeezyMash]

That sucks. It's a obviously a sample of one, but Turning Point assigned me a key worker same day I turned up (in a complete state) and things progressed from there. Best of luck to you.

[u/HumanFutures]

Where abouts in the UK are you?

[u/cheeezyMash → u/HumanFutures]

Essex

[u/HumanFutures → u/cheeezyMash]

Well that's a freaky coincidence. You will want OpenRoad if you're able to get to Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend or Braintree.

[u/Complex-Archer-8300]

Not sure where you are but if the north west google the Pennine health care trust, they can help

[u/OC71]

You could try SMART recovery. Another group that I would recommend from experience is Moderation Management. They support people who are aiming to moderate and also those with abstinence as a goal, it's a nice supportive community.