av Skylight

Hi everyone,

I hope no one minds me speaking in English. I am new to Sweden and need to find help with getting sober. I have spent over a decade of drinking everyday to either lessen feelings, deal with my anxiety, deal with social anxiety etc. and it's gotten to a point where I need to make a change. Wine has always been my alcohol of choice but now I have picked up a habit of having vodka drinks. I am really disappointed in myself that it has gotten this far.

I am wanting to build a community here, since only hours from my last sip of wine I find myself with insomnia again with night sweats. It's a very lonely feeling at night when there is no one to talk to so hopefully getting some relief here. I experience night sweats, anxiety, shivers, stress once I don't have the alcohol which keeps me going back. How do I do it? I need help.

Kristoffer
tis, 2023-09-12 - 14:41

Hi Skylight!

Welcome to Alkoholhjälpen. Good on you for taking this step and opening up about your situation! The communication on this forum is predominantly in Swedish, which might explain the lack of replies to your thread. On the other hand, it is not uncommon that you need to post several times in your thread in order for it to pick up speed and get responses from other users.

It sounds like you're in a tough spot where you're struggling with withdrawal symptoms, to the point that they are preventing you from making a desired change in your drinking. You're not alone in having to battle these symptoms, there are many stories from other users on this forum who have gone through the same thing. For many people the best course of action is to seek medical help to handle the withdrawal in a safe way, and that is always what we recommend when you struggle with withdrawal. What are your thoughts on this, what do you think you need right now? Do you know where to turn if you decide you want that kind of help?

All the best
Kristoffer
Alkoholhjälpen

Grelod
tis, 2023-09-12 - 17:17

Hi Skylight! I'm swedish but am comfortable in english. I too have a problem with going to the wine glass for comfort. I need to change something before it's too late. I know I cannot be "drinking in moderation," it just doesn't work. I'm the same with unhealthy foods. it's too much or nothing, for me.
When my motivation is going down, I try to remind myself that my drinking is only going to gar worse over time, if I do nothing to change. It won't get easier to quit. I have to do it now.
If you are going from wine to drinks, it's really good that you see that this is a dangerous path.
I wake up at night with anxiety because of drinking. I I hold up for a while, I sleep better. I know this is good for me. But I find it difficult to keep motivation up after a few days.
I sometimes use food instead, just anything to get away from the alcohol. That's not completely healthly either. But I have found that if I'm full and satisfied, the hunger for alcohol is less.
Please write again how it's going for you!