No more alcohol ever?

[[To...]]

I have heard that even after healing that we can no longer drink any type of alcohol or it will send us into a wave. Is that true? I'm not a big drinker but it scares me that I can't do something at all anymore because of these pills. I did while I was on the pills and I'm pretty sure it works differently on the gaba receptors but looking fir anybody with experience. Any advice ??

[[or...]]

Tommy, I wondered about that too. I had a horrible taper and feared I would never be able to drink again. I enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner before benzos, so decided to see if I could resume doing that at about a year off. I started slow -- half a glass -- and suffered no ill effects. Now I drink a glass of wine every night and have never been thrown into a wave. So, there's hope! I would have been very unhappy to have had to abandon my one glass of wine . . . it's one of the things that makes life enjoyable.

 

Katz

[Guest [ba...]]

I have heard that even after healing that we can no longer drink any type of alcohol or it will send us into a wave. Is that true? I'm not a big drinker but it scares me that I can't do something at all anymore because of these pills. I did while I was on the pills and I'm pretty sure it works differently on the gaba receptors but looking fir anybody with experience. Any advice ??

 

I had to take some time off alcohol, then wean back onto it slowly.  However, I'm able to drink freely now.  A good buddy of mine took almost two years off alcohol, but is now able to enjoy a few drinks without any problems.  He also worked up slowly.  So it's possible to have a normal drinking life again after benzos.  Just don't be in a hurry, and take it really slow when you try to reintroduce alcohol (just a small sip the first time; just two small sips the 2nd time...).

[[To...]]

Badsocref

 

Thanks so much for your reply about the experience. Some people seem to believe it's exactly like taking benzos. That's a good idea to reintroduce slow. I just wasn't thinking the sip method but hey we are all taking baby steps. I look forward to the day when I can cheers in everybody's honor... with a full beer! 

[[pi...]]

I have heard that even after healing that we can no longer drink any type of alcohol or it will send us into a wave. Is that true? I'm not a big drinker but it scares me that I can't do something at all anymore because of these pills. I did while I was on the pills and I'm pretty sure it works differently on the gaba receptors but looking fir anybody with experience. Any advice ??

 

I had to take some time off alcohol, then wean back onto it slowly.  However, I'm able to drink freely now.  A good buddy of mine took almost two years off alcohol, but is now able to enjoy a few drinks without any problems.  He also worked up slowly.  So it's possible to have a normal drinking life again after benzos.  Just don't be in a hurry, and take it really slow when you try to reintroduce alcohol (just a small sip the first time; just two small sips the 2nd time...).

 

The phrase "a few drinks without any problems" depressed me here, is that all there is on the other end?. Dont get me wrong I'm glad I am healing and wouldn't risk it with alcohol for at least another year or so but I really want to heal back to the level where I can be stupid once in a while and throw caution to the wind and pound down a bottle of Jim beam with my buddies at Christmas. To think I have to cut myself off at 2 or 3 at every gathering out of fear is a definite stomach drop feeling. Disclaimer: not an alcoholic, just loved (past tense, get out small violin) a good night out with friends occasionally.  :'(

[Guest [ba...]]

The phrase "a few drinks without any problems" depressed me here, is that all there is on the other end?. Dont get me wrong I'm glad I am healing and wouldn't risk it with alcohol for at least another year or so but I really want to heal back to the level where I can be stupid once in a while and throw caution to the wind and pound down a bottle of Jim beam with my buddies at Christmas. To think I have to cut myself off at 2 or 3 at every gathering out of fear is a definite stomach drop feeling. Disclaimer: not an alcoholic, just loved (past tense, get out small violin) a good night out with friends occasionally.  :'(

 

I'm sure it varies from person to person, but I can drink until I'm pretty sloshed.  I don't do it often (nor am I advocating it), but I've done 5-6 drinks a few times since my withdrawal 3+ years ago.  That's more than plenty for me.  I do 3-4 drinks (IPAs usually) maybe once a week (golf).  i'll get some degree of a hangover if I drink more than about 4 (a good reason to stop there, fwiw), but it's no different than hangovers long before benzos. 

 

Don't be in a hurry.  I had to build up to it slowly, and I had to be substantially healed before I could tolerate any alcohol.

[[my...]]

Been off xanax via ct for a year and a half now. Started drinking this past July and drink a few times a week. Besides the tiny feeling the next morning of drinking too much and some noticeable mental changes upon waking up it's no big deal. Obviously, or I wouldn't do it. Just gotta try and see what works for you. I remember when I started drinking I only had one or two beers and I was quite tipsy. Recently I've been having about six drinks and totally ok. Again. See what works for you and what you can handle. There are so many nonsense scary stories on here. Don't let it take over your life. I think the worst thing I did while ct and even before that, was read all the nonsense. Lots of useful info. But a lot of stories that are blamed on the bentos but in reality have to do with other underlying conditions for these people.

 

Best of luck.