First step

[simon]

 :wave:Morning everybody thanks for the messages and private messages of support they are much appreciated. I am now looking at the next step and would like some advice. So do i see my G.P and get a referral or do I find a private therapist. I have self medicated with vast amounts of alcohol for 30 years and it is no longer working in fact it makes things worse now . My emotional outbursts are cause for concern any advice would be helpful

[Dutch Uncle]

Hi Simon  ,

I've been self-medicating with alcohol for long now (still do at times), and I think going to your GP to tell him so is a good and valuable step to take.
Possibly he could get you a referral and you can get some treatment covered by your insurance. But even if not, it's good that your GP is aware of your self-medicating, if only if you might get into physical trouble/ailments (or withdrawal symptoms), he knows at least your alcohol use might be a contributing factor.
If he cannot give you a referral, you can still find a private therapist yourself.

Please know that GP's get to see a variety of addictions, and so they probably are a lot less judgmental as you may fear.
My GP was very understanding, and in fact he was te one who pointed out that it woud take a considerable time to 'get off it'. I was ready to quit my self-medication there and then, but he knew it would be a process. "I understand you want this ended now", he said, "but it will take a while given your long history of drinking."
Not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but it made sense, even then.

on taking the first steps.

[sanmagic7]

hey, simon,

as a recovering alcoholic, i can relate to the fact that after a certain amount of time the emotions get out of control.  that's what happened to me.  i went from being a fun-loving drunk, to an angry drunk - not very pretty at all.  i was able to stop on my own, and stay stopped with the help of support groups, including AA, and other sober people.    i absolutely recommend getting involved in a support group.  those people have been there, done that - many of them have been to * and back themselves.   getting a sponsor is also a good idea, i think, because, especially in the beginning, you might feel a bit rocky/shaky, and a good sponsor will be available to you and for you to help you over the rough spots.  when we make such transitions, i firmly believe that the more support we get, the easier it is to get from where we were to where we want to go.

for others whose drinking has become a problem, depending on how much alcohol is ingested and how often, it may take a doctor's help to get off safely.  the idea of you seeing a doc for assistance is, to my mind, a worthwhile step to take, and probably as soon as you are able.    when that emotional stuff begins bursting forth, (from my experience) trouble is not far behind.

it's possible that your doc can refer a therapist to you, and i think it would be worth asking him/her about it, especially someone who practices emdr or other types of trauma therapy.    otherwise looking for one on your own is always an option.  i was going to say that the phone book would probably be a good resource, but that's because i'm old school (really old!!!  lol!), and that's how i've always found what i was looking for.  in this day and age, (i don't have a cell phone), i don't know how it's done. 

this is a great next step for you.  for one thing, getting into therapy while still using substances keeps the brain/mind from working clearly.  at the same time, therapy can be another support for you to stay sober, so i believe it's a wonderful addition, especially in the beginning of recovery from substances.   i give you so much credit, simon, for your courage in not giving up, and for your willingness to look at what's going on in your life realistically, and wanting to do something about it.  kudos to you.  your determination to get this c-ptsd beast off your back, and all it entails, will take you far.  and, you're not alone.  glad you're here.

[Three Roses]

 

Good for you!

[Fen Starshimmer]

Hi Simon,  I too used alcohol to self-medicate for many many years and after a while it became harder to achieve the same effects - which in my case was to control the fight or flight response to triggering situations, which were everywhere. I never saw it as an addiction but as self-medication because I only used it to allow myself to function at work, on public transport etc which triggered me horribly. 

I am now teetotal and don't miss alcohol - it actually makes me feel triggered now. (I think it puts pressure on the adrenals.)

What did I do? I moved out of the big city where I lived to a quiet town and worked from home thus removing some big triggers. I found that getting to the root of the trapped terror emotions in my body and releasing them with my T has helped and continues to help. It's an ongoing process.

I know GPs can come in useful and help many people, but I don't have much faith in them as they were never able to help me with this. They all misdiagnosed me (never recognising PTSD or CPTSD) and just sent me off with toxic pills and an offer of a short course in CBT. (I was REALLY angry) 

It's taken me years to get this far. Persistence is the key....finding what works for you. Wishing you all the best in your search and your recovery.

Fen