Self medicating with alcohol?

CasMonster · Sep 13, 2011

CasMonster · Sep 13, 2011

CasMonster · Sep 13, 2011

Havoc · Sep 13, 2011

I've never really liked the feeling of being really drunk (A good buzz while at a club, sure) but not the college binge drinking where you wake up in a random place missing half your clothes.

To that end, I do have raging insomnia and take Valium for sleep. Valium is a mid-range benzodiazepine which last most of the following day. Benzodiazepines are used for alcohol withdrawal, but are rather addictive themselves. Then there's all the psychotropic medicines out there (SSRI's, TCA's, Atypicals, MAOI's). Some people do really well on these drugs for depression, others only have a buttload of side effects.

It's hard for me to say, but you're probably better off with the alcohol. It's readily available, if you go on a benzo for anxiety and end up needing more than what it prescribed you will have withdrawal from that, and it's not pretty.

We've had many discussions on this forum about the ridiculous Drug Act in America and the stigma placed on schedule drugs which are sometimes abused, but help millions.

My advice is to try and control your drinking while finding other things that make you feel better. Exercise, hobbies, perhaps other medications for the shortness of breath. You might feel better 3 sheets to the wind now, but when you pickle your liver, you're going to regret it.

Havoc · Sep 13, 2011

I've never really liked the feeling of being really drunk (A good buzz while at a club, sure) but not the college binge drinking where you wake up in a random place missing half your clothes.

To that end, I do have raging insomnia and take Valium for sleep. Valium is a mid-range benzodiazepine which last most of the following day. Benzodiazepines are used for alcohol withdrawal, but are rather addictive themselves. Then there's all the psychotropic medicines out there (SSRI's, TCA's, Atypicals, MAOI's). Some people do really well on these drugs for depression, others only have a buttload of side effects.

It's hard for me to say, but you're probably better off with the alcohol. It's readily available, if you go on a benzo for anxiety and end up needing more than what it prescribed you will have withdrawal from that, and it's not pretty.

We've had many discussions on this forum about the ridiculous Drug Act in America and the stigma placed on schedule drugs which are sometimes abused, but help millions.

My advice is to try and control your drinking while finding other things that make you feel better. Exercise, hobbies, perhaps other medications for the shortness of breath. You might feel better 3 sheets to the wind now, but when you pickle your liver, you're going to regret it.

Havoc · Sep 13, 2011

I've never really liked the feeling of being really drunk (A good buzz while at a club, sure) but not the college binge drinking where you wake up in a random place missing half your clothes.
 
 To that end, I do have raging insomnia and take Valium for sleep. Valium is a mid-range benzodiazepine which last most of the following day. Benzodiazepines are used for alcohol withdrawal, but are rather addictive themselves. Then there's all the psychotropic medicines out there (SSRI's, TCA's, Atypicals, MAOI's). Some people do really well on these drugs for depression, others only have a buttload of side effects.
 
 It's hard for me to say, but you're probably better off with the alcohol. It's readily available, if you go on a benzo for anxiety and end up needing more than what it prescribed you will have withdrawal from that, and it's not pretty.
 
 We've had many discussions on this forum about the ridiculous Drug Act in America and the stigma placed on schedule drugs which are sometimes abused, but help millions.
 
 My advice is to try and control your drinking while finding other things that make you feel better. Exercise, hobbies, perhaps other medications for the shortness of breath. You might feel better 3 sheets to the wind now, but when you pickle your liver, you're going to regret it.

mamaScarlett · Sep 13, 2011

I rarely drink and absolutely never get drunk. I don't really like the way alcohol makes me feel. I think I have a mild sulfite allergy (common preservative in alcohol and other things), so that may be why. Plus addiction runs strong in my genes so part of me is probably very concious of that. Probably once a month I'll have a glass of wine or champagne with dinner. Rarely, like once a year maybe if I'm having extreme stress I'll have a glass of wine to relax me, which it does. I think I've always felt the affects of alcoholism in my family and thats why I'm sensitive to it. Plus I just don't think it mixes well with all our meds.

mamaScarlett · Sep 13, 2011

I rarely drink and absolutely never get drunk. I don't really like the way alcohol makes me feel. I think I have a mild sulfite allergy (common preservative in alcohol and other things), so that may be why. Plus addiction runs strong in my genes so part of me is probably very concious of that. Probably once a month I'll have a glass of wine or champagne with dinner. Rarely, like once a year maybe if I'm having extreme stress I'll have a glass of wine to relax me, which it does. I think I've always felt the affects of alcoholism in my family and thats why I'm sensitive to it. Plus I just don't think it mixes well with all our meds.

mamaScarlett · Sep 13, 2011

I rarely drink and absolutely never get drunk. I don't really like the way alcohol makes me feel. I think I have a mild sulfite allergy (common preservative in alcohol and other things), so that may be why. Plus addiction runs strong in my genes so part of me is probably very concious of that. Probably once a month I'll have a glass of wine or champagne with dinner. Rarely, like once a year maybe if I'm having extreme stress I'll have a glass of wine to relax me, which it does. I think I've always felt the affects of alcoholism in my family and thats why I'm sensitive to it. Plus I just don't think it mixes well with all our meds.

randmel89 · Sep 14, 2011

I drink a few beers every night to help me relax and sleep. I dont get drunk except maybe on the weekends but not every weekend. I do find that drinking beer helps me breathe better and sleep is so much better. I drink about 3 beers every night after supper. I have done this for years my Mother is the one who thought maybe a beer or two would help me when I was having trouble sleeping I tried it and boom I sleep like a baby. I hope you can figure out what works best for you. I used other things to help me but I must say Bud Light is my choice. Good Luck..

randmel89 · Sep 14, 2011

I drink a few beers every night to help me relax and sleep. I dont get drunk except maybe on the weekends but not every weekend. I do find that drinking beer helps me breathe better and sleep is so much better. I drink about 3 beers every night after supper. I have done this for years my Mother is the one who thought maybe a beer or two would help me when I was having trouble sleeping I tried it and boom I sleep like a baby. I hope you can figure out what works best for you. I used other things to help me but I must say Bud Light is my choice. Good Luck..

randmel89 · Sep 14, 2011

I drink a few beers every night to help me relax and sleep. I dont get drunk except maybe on the weekends but not every weekend. I do find that drinking beer helps me breathe better and sleep is so much better. I drink about 3 beers every night after supper. I have done this for years my Mother is the one who thought maybe a beer or two would help me when I was having trouble sleeping I tried it and boom I sleep like a baby. I hope you can figure out what works best for you. I used other things to help me but I must say Bud Light is my choice. Good Luck..

augiee · Sep 14, 2011

Like mamaScarlett I have dealt with alcohol in my family. I'm Irish which doesn't help either. I've been drinking since I was 15, I was going to high school in Belgium and laws are different then they are here. I've been really drunk, I've never blacked out, but it taught me not to use drinking to ease pain, heartache, and general depressing thoughts because for me they did not help, they made them worse. I've seen horrible things in life, but you can't let that dictate your life. I'm not saying having a couple of beers to ease the day and sleep ,but it shouldn't turn in too more then that. And depending on meds you take, you really shouldn't drink, but again we are mostly adults here, some choices our own to make.

PCA, please don't drink and abuse pills, they can cause you to going in to the icu and screw you life up. That is from personal experience. It can kill

augiee · Sep 14, 2011

Like mamaScarlett I have dealt with alcohol in my family. I'm Irish which doesn't help either. I've been drinking since I was 15, I was going to high school in Belgium and laws are different then they are here. I've been really drunk, I've never blacked out, but it taught me not to use drinking to ease pain, heartache, and general depressing thoughts because for me they did not help, they made them worse. I've seen horrible things in life, but you can't let that dictate your life. I'm not saying having a couple of beers to ease the day and sleep ,but it shouldn't turn in too more then that. And depending on meds you take, you really shouldn't drink, but again we are mostly adults here, some choices our own to make.

PCA, please don't drink and abuse pills, they can cause you to going in to the icu and screw you life up. That is from personal experience. It can kill

augiee · Sep 14, 2011

Like mamaScarlett I have dealt with alcohol in my family. I'm Irish which doesn't help either. I've been drinking since I was 15, I was going to high school in Belgium and laws are different then they are here. I've been really drunk, I've never blacked out, but it taught me not to use drinking to ease pain, heartache, and general depressing thoughts because for me they did not help, they made them worse. I've seen horrible things in life, but you can't let that dictate your life. I'm not saying having a couple of beers to ease the day and sleep ,but it shouldn't turn in too more then that. And depending on meds you take, you really shouldn't drink, but again we are mostly adults here, some choices our own to make.
 
 PCA, please don't drink and abuse pills, they can cause you to going in to the icu and screw you life up. That is from personal experience. It can kill

regina65 · Sep 14, 2011

I wish I could drink . I used to drink red wine 2 or 3 nights a week but my acid reflux got so bad I had to stop. I did notice it relaxed me and that's very hard to do . I am a very anxious and have to have everything done before I can even sit down. My cf doc or my pcp wont give me valium they say it is addictive . I guess getting a good nights sleep isn't all that important to them. In a way that's why I work so hard all day at home , so I'll be exhausted at night.

regina65 · Sep 14, 2011

I wish I could drink . I used to drink red wine 2 or 3 nights a week but my acid reflux got so bad I had to stop. I did notice it relaxed me and that's very hard to do . I am a very anxious and have to have everything done before I can even sit down. My cf doc or my pcp wont give me valium they say it is addictive . I guess getting a good nights sleep isn't all that important to them. In a way that's why I work so hard all day at home , so I'll be exhausted at night.

regina65 · Sep 14, 2011

I wish I could drink . I used to drink red wine 2 or 3 nights a week but my acid reflux got so bad I had to stop. I did notice it relaxed me and that's very hard to do . I am a very anxious and have to have everything done before I can even sit down. My cf doc or my pcp wont give me valium they say it is addictive . I guess getting a good nights sleep isn't all that important to them. In a way that's why I work so hard all day at home , so I'll be exhausted at night.

Havoc · Sep 14, 2011

Regina,

You're going to have to see a sleep specialist for the Valium. My CF team prescribes almost nothing if it isn't to do with my CF directly.

Havoc · Sep 14, 2011

Regina,

You're going to have to see a sleep specialist for the Valium. My CF team prescribes almost nothing if it isn't to do with my CF directly.

Self medicating with alcohol?

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