Wow. Very familiar story.
I was "the wierd kid" that every high school has. Started drinking when I
was 14 which, of course, made me "the wierder kid"
The only things my fridge had in it for years were milk and beer
To make a long story short I am 47 years old, now out of jail, on parole, I
quit cold turkey, and have not had a drink for 60 days.
When I first stopped drinking the anxiety attacks and such got much worse.
Both my shrink and my doctor told me to keep taking my anti-depressants
(Effexor and Remoron) and tough it out. I only have attacks now when I think
of how bleak my future COULD be.
I have 2 things to say about AA.
I HATE AA. I hate the people. I hate the meetings. I hate everything about
it.
But.
The principles of AA wok very well if you keep it simple and do as your
told. And by what I can see works very well into the long term.
Good luck.

"Joe Simi" <Dandrinks@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:25832-4647F17F-240@storefull-3131.bay.webtv.net...
>I went to my Dr. I have had General anxiety since 13. I can not be
> around more then 3-4 people at once unless I know them. (Mom Dad Brother
> close friends. I hide. I started drinking at 15-16 and i felt great. Of
> course this just numbed me. I took librium (librax) it worked for many
> years at 10 mgs. Dr said that is a low dose. And it helped my stomach.
> Time went on and I increased my alcohol to MD 20/20/ Everyday. Never
> drank hard liquore. Sometimes beer 12 a day. Never drank in the morning
> or after noon. Only from 7 pm until 11. This went on for 35 years. My
> stomach was bad so I took prilosec, nexium (another coverup) I was
> depressed alot except at work where i enjoyed working. My BP went to
> average of 155/98 cholesterol 266. I had a stress test and it was normal
> excect a tiny heart murmur. Dr said just live your life. @-3 times I
> stopped drink for 8 days and 20 day and 5 days. In over 30 years. I felt
> more energy my somach did not bother me, I could walk in a store without
> a panic. But I always went back at night to the alcohol. My sisters are
> alcohhics. I tryed antabused. The dose was 250mg aday/ I took 500mg.
> after 5 days a drank and the antabuse was like a sugar pill. Nothing
> happened. I dont date because im afraid and nervouse. I have some
> friends that are great and think Im great. I help people when they need
> me. I have financial problem as work is slow. Now i feel like doing
> nothing. I want to taper off each meds and alcohol. But I dont have
> money or have a place to go as its far. I have a 2 bedroom home and once
> had a friend live there for 2 days he said he could not stop drinking
> and left, He mad it 2 days as I did. Any Ideas? In scared to death of
> groups like AA... I beleive in it buut I cant. Is there a place to go
> and get clean? My neighbor said she would pay for it. Is it better to
> taper of alcohol first and then xanax or both equally. I tryes cold
> turkey and got heart palputations. Well Thank you for listening to me.
> Thank you. Dan
>