Name
Jim
Question
I am a man approaching 60. for years i have bouts of drinking and giving up and i would really just like to stop completely. I have had a lot of health problems due to binging on alcohol and i know as i get older i need to stop as my health is going downhill anyway. its so hard though. i dont want to go to counselling with due respect. can you help me in anyway?
Answer
Hi Jim, thanks for taking the step of getting in touch. It sounds like you're seriously thinking about giving up alcohol and mindful of the health benefits of doing so. This is a great achievement in itself. Giving up drinking or any kind of habit/dependency can be hard, especially without help and support. You've said that you have bouts of drinking and giving up, so you it sounds like you have been able to give it up temporarily. It's worth thinking about what is causing you to start the drinking again, what emotional, social or physical factors may trigger it. There's a helpful booklet available called 'Relapse Prevention', which covers a lot of areas including triggers for drinking and coping with urges to drink. I can send you this in electronic format if you email me at focusonalcohol@mail.com or you can get a copy from the Dundee branch of the Tayside Council on Alcohol, 13 King Street Dundee DD1 2JD, telephone 01382 223965, email enquiries@alcoholtayside.com.
Talking to someone can be the most effective remedy for giving up drinking. Are there people in your life who you can talk to and get support from? Sometimes it can help to select a friend or someone you trust as a mentor who you can call if you get into a frame of mind where you want to have a drink. Have you thought about talking it over with your GP - he/she can give you advice about the support that is available. One option would be to refer you to an organisation called Tayside Alcohol Problem Service (TAPS). They offer both in-patient and out-patient community based treatment and can also support you with addressing issues connected to your drinking. TAPS also run weekly support meetings. You can contact them directly without being referred, although it's advisable to speak to your GP first. The contact number is 01674 832257 (24 hour helpline).
You mentioned that you don't want to see a counsellor - it might help to talk to the Tayside Council on Alcohol or TAPS about what form the counselling takes and making a decision from there. You might find that it's structured in a way that would works for you. Another avenue is Alcoholics Anonymous (tel 0845 7697555). It might help just make an initial call, find out how they can help and decide from there if it sounds right to you. Another support service is Drinkline (0800 917 8282) - a 24 hour helpline which offers support to those concerned about their drinking. They can also give you details of alcohol services in your local area. Don't be put off if your first approach doesn't work for you: there will be something that does. Remember, you are not alone. If there's anything you'd like more information about, let me know.