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I have been drinking every night for the past 20 years ...

Sent to Health Experts June 08 09:01 AM

I have been drinking every night for the past 20 years although I don't drink as much as I used to I would like to stop. I have an appointment for a colonoscopy next week and I can't drink before it. Any suggestions would be grateful

 

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 50

Already Tried:
just to try and cut back

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $30
Answer
June 8 9:31 AM (30 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hi,

First off let me say congratulations on your first step in a new way of healthy living. I understand that this may be a difficult time for you but there are things that you can do to help ease any withdraws.

First off since you have been drinking alcohol for so long, you do have a option of speaking with your doctor there are certain Detox medications for alcohol that you may want to look into.

If this is not a option there are other things you can do. Such as First off you need a good vitamin I would suggest Vitamin B because the majority of drinkers do not get the needed Vitamin B in their Diets. This will help you to feel a bit better.

Of course there isn't a cure all, but exercises and fresh air can do wonders. If there is a certain time that you normally drink (such as in the evenings) You may want to find something else to do that alcohol would not be a part of. Such as going to the movies with a friend, or spending time with your family.

One of the best things you can do is go down to your local YMCA or fitness club and sign up for a free 3 day guest pass. You can make new friends and spend these (drinking hours) doing something else. Also most fitness clubs have a program called water aerobics which is a good program for relieving stress, allot of people detoxing from alcohol and or drugs have found this to be beneficial. Also there are hot tubs there that will help to ease any withdraw aches you may experience.

I would suggest plenty of relaxing baths as well. If you feel the need to drink something try mixing soft drinks, or water and squeezed lemons work quite well too.

Make sure you re eating and getting enough fluids so you do not become dehydrated. You can try saltine crackers and ginger ale for any nausea. Also peppermints work quite well when crackers are not available.

I would suggest getting any support you can from family or friends as this can come in handy during this time. I wish you the best and if you need anything please feel free to ask I will be more hen happy to help or just to talk.

Walter



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Reply
June 8 9:50 AM (18 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
Reply to Walter's Post: my biggest fear is that I won't be able to sleep. any thoughts
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 8 9:58 AM (7 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Hi,

I can understand you fear with this as it can happen and is common in people trying to detox.

There are a couple things that can be done. One the exercises in the evening. Water aerobics isn't very difficult while doing them as your body is weightless and even very inactive people have success with this. BUT when you get done you can feel the results of the exercises, and thus increase your need for sleep.

There are also some over the counter sleep aids such as Tylenol PM. Also some foods such as Turkey contains tryptophan, a major building block for making serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which sends messages between nerve cells and causes feelings of sleepiness. Eating foods containing tryptophan raise the levels of serotonin produced in the body, which in turn increase a person's feeling of sleepiness. It is best to eat tryptophan on an empty stomach. Other foods, besides turkey, that contain a notable amount of tryptophan are: milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream, chicken, cashews, soy beans and tuna. This is commonly suggest to people who are detoxing from drugs or alcohol.

Walter



Edited by askwalt on June 8 2006 at 9:59 AM

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