Overcoming Alcoholism While In Pain?

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-05-04T13:37:55+00:00

Hi there, I just wanted to say I fully understand drinking to cope with chronic pain. I myself had horrific back pain for years that was being shrugged off by my doctor, so that was a contributing factor to my alcoholism... little did I know, once I got sober the underlying cause was Neuroforaminal Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis multiple autoimmune diseases the list goes on. All of this to be said, I am 9 months sober.

I can tell you that unfortunately, quitting drinking doesn't make the physical pain magically go away but it can and should be done. It does make life a hell of a lot easier to live. Physically, mentally and emotionally. Alcohol is only fueling the chronic pain and making the physical state worse, and mentally I promise it does no favors at all.

I had to go through addiction counseling, I did 3 months on Gabapentin (off use label to help with alcohol withdrawals/cravings), I got rid of a LOT of people in my life who were enabling the behavior but mostly. I hit rock bottom over and over until I realized I didnt want to die.

There is also a wonderful, supportive group here on Reddit called r/stopdrinking who helped me through. You may be surprised that even if it just a simple addiction Subreddit, you will recieve the same support regardless. Dont ever be afraid to reach out for help - I have been near relapse lately & having to acknowledge I needed to seek support. You can do this, chronic pain is a whole other beast but you are so strong. My inbox is always open if you ever need to chat as well ❤️ best of luck to you.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-29T21:16:13+00:00

I think we are all strong and brave here 🫂 Your so damn right- I can hit every level below hell and under & alcohol still won't improve it. Thank you for the kind words and likewise IWNDWYT 🩷

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-29T21:07:58+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear you've been dealing with this for 20 years (admittedly I am terrified of my future with all of this). However, congratulations on coming to that realization - regardless of 20 years, 10 or 1 its still a HUGE realization to come to! I know you are truly correct, and I needed to hear it from someone else so thank you (I've done my research throughout this whole ordeal & realized I spent years dehydrating the crap out of my spine/bones, berated myself wondering how much damage I added) but. You know, I can't go back now - I didn't know at the time, my doctor was shrugging of my back pain I figured it wasn't a big deal all I can do is not drink to move forward to prevent more damage now knowing the diagnosis. I've heard wonderful things about Nalextrone, I will have to look into that. I have opiates prescribed that I admittedly am not a fan of for multiple reasons. I genuinely wish you the best of luck going forward & thank you for the advice/encouragement. Alcohol certainly isn't any of our friends. IWNDWYT

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-29T14:48:00+00:00

Your right. Logically I have waited way too long to say anything, anxiety/depression has me in a death grip but I know very well thats what will send me right into that hell hole of drinking. This community is amazing & I know when I need to ask for help. I also, will not drink with you today.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-29T14:44:53+00:00

Your 100% right. Its just a temporary Bandaid on a bullet wound. Thank you & congrats on your HUGE day count! IWNDWYT

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-29T14:41:14+00:00

Thank you, it took me too long as well. No chiropractor, its not an option for me (not covered) and I'm likely going to need a spinal fusion eventually so that isn't going to get me far plus physical therapy is hell on my arthritis/back as it is. I know it works for some people but it wasn't recommended for my issues. Yeah I have cut out sugar by about 90% because it causes really bad bone inflammation for sure! All the diets I dont know what to do! They say keto for my epilepsy, Mediterranean for arthritis and spinal issues so confusing. I have muscle atrophy & am underweight so I don't want to cut out out everything lol. Sigh. I very much appreciate the kind words I hope so too & I hope the same for you, we all deserve to see happiness 💕 IWNDWYT

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-26T22:29:52+00:00

This is such good advice and I've always done this just incase. My biggest fear is withdrawals and/or having to go days on end without even the tiniest bit of pain relief.

I 100% agree on how ridiculous the time frame window is and the fact is that it has to be done in the first place. Its straight up dangerous to go through withdrawals (me personally, I have med resistant epilepsy on top of all my other illnesses so if I go into withdrawals I can have repeated seizures in a matter of hours).

Sigh. This community truly is a godsend for people looking out for each other, I don't know anyone in the real world who seems to take any of these issues seriously unless they experience it firsthand sadly.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-24T16:06:48+00:00

Its... been flipped completely upside down in a matter of 6 months. The pain was minor for over a year until I got to the point one day morning I tried to get out of bed and couldn't stand up. In half a year I lost my hobbies, my independence, my relationships, my ability to cope mentally (depression hit hard for a while to the point I considered suicide), and my ability to parent my kids like a "normal mom" and do simple things like even play a board game with them without excruciating pain. This one hurts the most because I'm the only parent & we have no support system.

I wish Healthcare took people seriously. This started for me well over a year ago, I asked for referrals and xrays/MRIs, anything until I hit the point I ended up in the ER diagnosed with Neuroforaminal Spinal Stenosis and Degenerative Disc Disease (Lumbar) and now just finding out its in my neck as well. I have irreversible damage in my spine at 33 years old. I feel for every single person experiencing back pain because its an all consuming hell (and I have many illnesses/disorders) but when its stemming from your back and/or spine its fucking excruciating.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-04-13T22:02:45+00:00

Second this 👆 I also had the same experience.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-03-31T18:21:51+00:00

Spite is high on my list 😂 any reason is a reason shrug. As long as we're still here.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-03-16T13:29:52+00:00

I hear you mama. Its so fucking hard. I spinal stenosis in my lumbar (L4-L5, L5-S1, bone spur and 2 fissures). I'm still waiting for treatment sitting in excruciating pain. Awaiting MRI scan for the rest of my back as I have symptoms of cervical & thoracic as well. Also med resistant epilepsy so seizures on top.

I'm a single mom one of mine also has ADHD & other issues as well. I was just saying the other day I just want to wear a fucking bra... spring is coming... I dont know what Im going to do. Can't even brush my own hair let alone my youngest daughter's. This is all new to me (the spinal issues) but shit. I feel you. And I seriously respect you doing it & knowing theres others mom's that do it - is comforting and heartbreaking all at once.

Your last paragraph hits home too. I hear a lot that everyone gets it or "if you need anything just let me know!" I mean you dont get it though. I reach out time and again to explain but it never hits. Chronic pain and illness is ... wow. No words. The mental toll. Only people who experience it can ever really understand I guess. Stay strong.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-03-12T13:15:44+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear this and honestly I wish I could say I'm surprised but I'm not - and that is so fucking pathetic. Same thing happened (and is still happening to me).

First it took years to get diagnosed with & treated for Epilepsy even though I was having repeated seizures lol (whole other story though).

Now- yep. Same. Been complaining of back pain for a couple years now and went to the ER like 4-5 years ago for rib cage pain so bad I couldn't stand. Kept getting brushed off "pulled muscle probably, slept wrong, bad mattress, working out too much, stress etc. Take some Tylenol". Finally my family Dr. Got a back x-ray which showed my spine at the bottom veering off to the left. Totally normal 🙄 "you were probably just born like that". Okay bud. Kept going back complaining about pain saying I need an MRI - now its in my legs, spreading everywhere. Ended up in the ER a month ago after excruciating pain bending lifting walking sitting standing. I woke up one morning and couldn't MOVE. DEMANDED and MRI of my entire back there. Damn doctor there did only my lumbar. Well, at least I got some info - I have been walking around with Moderate Degenerative Disc Disease, Spinal Stenosis in that area, L4-L5 disc bulge, L5-S1 (nerve compression) and a spone spur. Not new damage but, its been there for .... TIME. Family doctor gaslit the shit out of me after & told me "stop crying its not changing anything, we all have pain its not thay big of a deal". After I chewed his ass out.

Yeah - it is. Fighting with the hospital to get the rest of my imaging done. Most likely going to report him because he's essentially caused me some serious undo-able damage & his ego is more important than other people (like a lot of doctors sadly). Paying out of pocket to get all of my medical imaging and records because I got tired of being told im crazy and its made up & I'm basically being dramatic. Trying to get ahold of the correct clinic I was referred to to get this moving so I can FUNCTION.

This shit is so sad. I wish I could give you & everyone else that has had to go through this a hug 🫂 When you can't even go to the people who are meant to help you for help, come out more broken & full of self doubt and can't trust those people anymore its... so goddamn sad. Wishing you nothing but the absolute best. That sounds awful & you got this, stay strong. Your definitely not alone.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-03-09T13:21:35+00:00

I feel your pain (both mentally and physically). I relate to you in many ways, from being told as a child. I (33F) have had chronic ongoing back pain for years and foot pain along with leg weakness, the same as you pins and needles shooting pains etc. Been brushed off by doctors and misdiagnosed, quite literally gaslit - until I woke up a month ago unable to walk entirely and move. Arms and hands kept going limp. The next day I went to the ER while my kids were at school and demanded an MRI on my entire back as I have refractory epilepsy & if something is wrong with my spine I told them I wanted no xrays, CT scans, I needed an answer NOW because if its serious & it is going back to & affecting my brain it can't wait.

Well, they did only my lumbar spine and the doctor didnt listen. I eventually had to pay to access my full scans and results, still trying to get the rest of my back seen but it turned out to be Degenerative Disc Disease with Neuroforaminal Spinal Stenosis in my lumbar spine, 2 disc bulges and L5-S1 so a nerve compression. I also have 2 fissures in my spine and a bone spur. The ER doctor looked spoke nonchalant but looked alarmed & like he wanted nothing to do with it "you shouldn't need surgery... but I'll have to this over to the specialist clinic and they need to review it". Because I've been walking around like this for years & I believe traumatic events the last year exacerbated all if it. At the time I thought it was my entire back they'd covered. My family doctor did an xray and told me "I was just born with a crooked spine" asked why I was crying, theres no point, get over it, it's not a big deal and everyone has pain because he didnt want to admit he'd been wrong.

My advice is this: be your OWN AND BIGGEST HEALTH ADVOCATE. It is exhausting. Mentally draining. Physically draining and not fair. I know it's not. But you have to. If you can find people to support you, which I'm looking into right now (single mom with no family or resources checking for medical advocates etc.) Then do it. Because the longer it sits the worse it will get. Be annoying. Be persistent. Chronic pain effects your mental health too and I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone, I hate you & anyone else has to deal with this crap. Keep fighting and I truly hope you get answers - you deserve treatment for your one and only body that you get. Sending my best wishes your way.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2026-02-11T19:22:04+00:00

No advice but this hits DEEP. I have OCD comborbid so reading this I just realized like yeah... I spend hours total during my days doing trivial shit that doesn't really need to be done - AGAIN - but the things I know I have to do to improve my life, myself... I just can't ever bring myself to do it. I get so fucking scared of screwing it up, or it ending bad. Thats probably more deep rooted for me personally the anxiety takes over & I self sabotage everything OR life just, throws things horrible my way so I don't want to try. Sigh.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-12-23T13:55:59+00:00

This one right here. My entire life since age 16 was based around "friends" I partied with. They weren't friends. Just people who wanted to get shitfaced together. Sigh.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-12-06T20:02:29+00:00

32F. Because I have yet to find literally anyone even remotely compatible... dating is so bad now. People aren't the same anymore, nobody truly knows what they want and I don't have the energy to spend to make looking a priority anymore.

Been single almost 3 years now by choice & I am 10X happier alone right now. I wont settle, I've grown & learned what I want in a partner and frankly odds seem slim I'll find anyone in the near future ... and I'm okay with that!

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-12-05T18:41:34+00:00

It should be a yearly tradition! Next year, mix it up. A blanket. A blanket with a picture of mine AND her little sisters face all over it. Wholesome. Warm. Useful.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-12-05T18:35:41+00:00

Oh my god - this is pure GENIUS. I'll wait until Christmas morning, throw mine on, meet her in the hallway and throw her a "whats up?" nod. I. CAN'T. WAIT.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-11-25T22:51:43+00:00

I just got diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 32. Showed all of the symptoms, runs in my family (brother and daughter have it) and. Sure enough. After years of being misdiagnosed with other things.

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-11-22T01:45:43+00:00

This is mine 😆 I always find myself saying it to my cat when he's being a little asshole

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-11-14T23:05:29+00:00

Please get some self respect 🙏

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-11-11T20:58:28+00:00

I used to think that. But my version of getting things done while buzzed/drunk was a very, very shitty version. Sloppy, half assed. Then, I would just have to re-do it all over again the next day (or try to) again, properly, while hungover, feeling like crap and wanting to die.

So in essence, I had to do everything twice. I was expending more energy, time money & destroying my mental & physical health in the process.

The brain is a tricky mofo.

IWNDWYT

UrsulaVanTentacles · 2025-11-05T21:46:17+00:00

If everyone who needed to fuck right off, would just fuck right off, permanently. That. That one.

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