Chester
03-03-14, 11:34
After about a year and a bit of drinking and having my head in the sand I took a step and saw my GP this morning.
Sat down and in my best non serious jokey dark humour way explained about my drinking (about a bottle of wine a night plus the odd top up) and that I was concerned about the cost on my health (and financially about £168 a month if you take £6 as an average)
I never really thought about how dependent I'd become, it became routine. Watching a movie, grab a bottle. Friends round, grab a bottle. Having a bath, grab a bottle. It was like as regular as a morning coffee.
The GP was very understanding and not at all judgemental. He offered advice leaflet, a telephone counselling, a face to face counsellor or Alcoholics Anonymous. He went in depth about the effect of alcohol on the brain, anxiety and general health. Stuff that I kind of dismissed in my head as 'mother knows best malarkey' but now I realise its not great
I opted for the face to face counsellor option and I'm hoping this can be a big step.
I don't want to give up alcohol but I'd like to go to normal occasional drinking (Christmas or once a week) I feel I have the mental strength to do it, but if thats not possible then I'll give up because well, I have to.
I'd encourage anyone who thinks 'ah its just a few glasses' to speak to their GP or other professional and get some help. You're not an alcoholic, your not labelled, you are just struggling with a part of your life. You wouldn't leave an open sore untreated would you?
Sat down and in my best non serious jokey dark humour way explained about my drinking (about a bottle of wine a night plus the odd top up) and that I was concerned about the cost on my health (and financially about £168 a month if you take £6 as an average)
I never really thought about how dependent I'd become, it became routine. Watching a movie, grab a bottle. Friends round, grab a bottle. Having a bath, grab a bottle. It was like as regular as a morning coffee.
The GP was very understanding and not at all judgemental. He offered advice leaflet, a telephone counselling, a face to face counsellor or Alcoholics Anonymous. He went in depth about the effect of alcohol on the brain, anxiety and general health. Stuff that I kind of dismissed in my head as 'mother knows best malarkey' but now I realise its not great
I opted for the face to face counsellor option and I'm hoping this can be a big step.
I don't want to give up alcohol but I'd like to go to normal occasional drinking (Christmas or once a week) I feel I have the mental strength to do it, but if thats not possible then I'll give up because well, I have to.
I'd encourage anyone who thinks 'ah its just a few glasses' to speak to their GP or other professional and get some help. You're not an alcoholic, your not labelled, you are just struggling with a part of your life. You wouldn't leave an open sore untreated would you?