I told my doctor that I was drinking at least 1 pint a night of vodka. That
would get me to sleep about 6 hours. At worst, I was drinking almost 1
liter a day. This was after a couple of years of using alcohol to sleep.
Then there were days when I'd try to catch-up on my seep in the middle of
the day so sometimes the drinking would go on all day and night. It was out
of control. Sleep stopped being the reason to drink. I hated it so I asked
a doctor to help me with the sleep problem so I could stop drinking.

I know I'm off topic, but for me, taking inventory meant facing my sleep
problem. I already knew I had an alcohol problem--I had to admit that I was
as powerless over insomnia as alcohol. And believe it or not, it's easier
for a doctor to help you with an alcohol problem. Sleep problems are still
regarded as a weakness of character and doctors would rather give you
anti-depressants than sleeping meds (done a lot of research). At any rate,
I'm off the alcohol and taking meds to sleep. I sleep a normal number of
hours (for me) and have taken my life back. I have time to do things again
without fighting either exhaustion or a hangover.

--Devon

Hope you find the path you need to get off of alcohol. Everyone here will
tell you it's not easy, but it's something you have to live through. The
good part is that you can get support here, AA and other associations. I'm
still new to this too, but have found a lot of help here. And I'm not
drinking!


"Wenzley" <wenzley@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1148986718.951303.251350@i40g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
> >A couple of months ago I went to a doctor to get a prescription for
sleeping
> >meds so I could stop using alcohol for sleep. The doctor asked me how
much
> >alcohol I was drinking and how often and with that, told me NOT to go
cold
> >turkey.
>
> I have heard this too (and read it on various reputable website) and
> quite worried about it as I am not particularly fit either, so I've
> probably already got high blood pressure etc which put some in gretaer
> danger of quitting.
>
> You don't say how much you used to drink a day (and I'm not prying) but
> I know that I am a heavy drinker at best, and an alc at worst. I am
> just trying to do the same thing - cutting back, bit by bit. But it's
> not easy obviously.
>
> Thanks for sharing.
>