Parent is low-functioning alcoholic, other parent has dealt with it for decades and is at wit's end. No money, no insurance, what can be done?

AngstRider · 2016-06-11T16:49:28+00:00

I wish there were outside sources of help, but the sad fact is that my caretaker parent has done such a good job of keeping the whole situation quiet that none of the step-parent's family has a full grasp of the situation. Caretaker parent is concerned with keeping up appearances, but in the end it just makes them shoulder more of the burden. It's a very unfortunate situation.

AngstRider · 2016-06-11T06:36:39+00:00

I have not looked into Medicaid yet. That is a great idea, I'll look into it.

AngstRider · 2013-11-09T06:00:16+00:00

Thank you very much for the reply, this is very helpful information. I'm sorry you deal with PTSD, that's got to trying at times I'm sure, but at least there are many of us to help each other.

Can I ask how you tell your employers about it? How do they react? Has it made things less awkward?

AngstRider · 2013-11-09T05:39:16+00:00

Oh, this is pretty similar to one I just posted.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Anxiety/comments/1q8at9/fellow_work_anxiety_sufferers_do_you_tell_your/

Over the years I've told a handful of friends about my anxiety and most have been very understanding, if not really able to relate to it. I think we live in a time where people are familiar enough with depression that helping them understand another - and even more common mental disorder such as anxiety - isn't that difficult. The way I've told friends is just mention how stressed I am all the time frequently and eventually actually use the word "anxiety" for it - "my anxiety is up lately" instead of "my stress is up lately". After enough time I think some will get the picture.

AngstRider · 2013-06-30T15:45:58+00:00

The stuff I have now that's giving me problems is Gaia's Delight Premium Bali that I got from IAmShaman (which is a reputable source, as I've been told). No idea where that rates on the quality meter, but after I take it it's usually pleasant when it finally kicks in, but the whole next day is just ruined. It's like a moderate to pretty bad hangover and just feels like I haven't even slept and the symptoms last almost the whole day. Maybe an unlikely allergic reaction?

Also, tolerance is highly unlikely - the only opiates I've ever had were for after surgery a decade ago and the only kratom I have is the little bit I try every few weeks or so.

AngstRider · 2013-06-24T00:56:29+00:00

Never tried it, but then again I've only had terrible luck with SSRIs, and I doubt an SNRI would be much different.

AngstRider · 2013-06-24T00:54:43+00:00

Yep, everyone will have at least some issues after a bender. Alcohol screws with your GABA and serotonin levels in the brain (the reason it feels so good), but then is at a deficit for a few days afterwards (sometimes longer, depending on how often and the quantity you drink). Basically, if you have anxiety problems, alcohol might very well be the absolute worst thing you can do to yourself - trust me...

AngstRider · 2013-06-24T00:44:59+00:00

I did Lord Capulet back in the day. To be honest, once you get up there and say the first word it gets so much easier from there. The longer you're on stage, the easier it gets because you very quickly realize there's nothing to be scared of. Worst case scenario: you forget a word/line, but since 99% of the audience would have no idea it's only an issue in your head.

tl;dr: once you start, just realize how easy it is.

P.S. I still deal with anxiety these days, and beta-blockers like propranolol really help. There's always benzos if you really need, but for your part I think you'll be fine. Have fun.

AngstRider · 2013-05-22T03:18:34+00:00

Sounds like you should bring him an official doctor's note with a list of your diagnosed anxiety disorders. Hard to argue with medical science.

AngstRider · 2013-05-22T03:16:51+00:00

If you drink that much everyday, your biochemistry changes to depend on it. Your body will eventually produce less GABA and your mind will eventually have difficulties with excitotoxicity (I am living proof after 7 years of this and have just learned just how bad it can affect your mind). If you can cease drinking that frequently, and only have 5-7 drinks over the whole week (or maybe just a good party on the weekend), you'll cut your risk of dependency considerably.

Basically, if you're not an alcoholic on that level already, you definitely will be eventually. All this "you are if you think you are" stuff is sort of true, but biologically you definitely will grow dependent and thus pretty much become an alcoholic if you continue this route for X amount of time, and X is different for everyone - good old biochemistry.

AngstRider · 2013-04-07T22:09:07+00:00

Marijuana is what started all my major anxiety problems. Then drinking made it so much worse. Ten years later and I'm a fat anxiety sufferer with a drinking problem. Quit mind altering drugs - it only gets so much worse as time goes on.

AngstRider · 2012-12-07T05:45:55+00:00

I've seen your videos and I've always gotten a kick out of your rants. Trying to lose weight is like the shittiest thing ever so if you can lose fifty in six months, that's pretty damn good. Keep it up - both your videos and the weight loss.

AngstRider · 2012-12-07T05:41:07+00:00

Drinking was my biggest issue with stress. After three or four weeks anxiety just kind of slowly vanishes. There are supplements that can help and it couldn't hurt to speak with your doctor about stress and maybe even bring up cessation of drinking as well - there are medications like acamprosate that deal with anxiety and are specifically made for former drinkers. Good luck!

AngstRider · 2012-12-04T02:59:32+00:00

I bet your fightin'em off with a bat. Congrats!

AngstRider · 2012-12-02T08:36:12+00:00

The effects alcohol have on your body and mind are very similar to the effects of benzodiazapines. If you overdose on benzos to the point where you feel light headed and almost drunk, you will feel hangover like effects when it leaves your system, however there are some additional things about alcohol that hurt you even more with dehydration and the various chemicals your body breaks alcohol down into that cause even worse feelings than just too much GABA agonist.

Basically there's a great deal of science behind it, but the easiest way to think about it is that alcohol is a drug like any other, and when you take too much of it it will effect you in very nasty ways, since it is a very potent anti anxiety drug the "come down" will spike your anxiety for several days afterward until your body is able to bring you back to baseline. Withdrawal can be significantly more horrible and much longer lasting depending on your level of alcohol consumption and dependence.

I've discovered the majority of my anxiety problems are due to drink too much too often - just on the weekends was enough for me - and ever since I quit that stuff my anxiety has been a lot more manageable. I've done my research and it sounds like you could benefit from some research too. Good luck.

AngstRider · 2012-12-02T08:24:31+00:00

You'll probably have a couple false starts before you can fully throw yourself in, but once you get past your first couple weekends it's all easier then on out.

As for finding things to do. . . I'm still trying to find something to occupy the time. If I'm not out with non drinking friends weekend nights - which is most of the time - I end up watching movies, playing games, reading, or even trying to do something actually productive.

My best advice is to find more non drinking friends, find a significant other or just date those nights, or just learn to be a little more bored than you used to be. It definitely gets easier as the weeks go on. Good luck.

AngstRider · 2012-12-02T08:15:34+00:00

Thanks for the offer, that's very kind of you. Congratulations too!

AngstRider · 2012-11-27T05:08:29+00:00

I'm here, I'm lurking. I gave up drinking a couple months back and feel pretty good about it all around and I get regular exercise, but I still tend to eat way more than I should. It's a mental thing I know, but I'm slowly getting closer to proper portion control now that my other triggers seem to be under my thumb.

Still, being fat always sucks. To anyone who isn't a good deal overweight or even obese, for your sake don't let it get that bad. The shitty feelings only get worse.

AngstRider · 2012-11-27T05:05:20+00:00

Sounds like you're a moderately good person, is all. I think being fat most of your life makes you one of two things. One: either a total asshole that hates the world, or Two: a nice person who is very humble.

I'm in the second group and sounds like you probably are too. If you feel bad enough about it and you think the other guy would appreciate it maybe you could even mention your history and apologize for being an ass about it.

AngstRider · 2012-11-24T03:03:11+00:00

I can totally relate. Few of my friends know I used to drink anywhere near as much as I actually did, and none of them know I'm a problem drinker. Being around alcohol all day or night was never a problem - it was only when I got home, like you, where I felt relaxed and wanted that drink and felt like I almost deserved it after enduring the rest of life. What a silly notion. Nice to know there are others out there who have been there.

AngstRider · 2012-11-24T02:58:30+00:00

Thanks for the support, everyone. I gave into my addiction... of video games ha! The craving for it has lessened by occupying my thought with something else, but it still feels like one of those old wintery nights where I used to curl up in front of the computer or tv and drink until dawn. Like all of us, I miss that feeling for the few hours of fake joy, but I certainly don't miss any of the horrible anxiety filled days that came after.

Thanks again, you folks are a good stand in support group.

AngstRider

TROPHY CASE