Interesting conversation wih my doc...

[lendaddy]

So I go in for the cold finger and we get to talking. I have a great relationship with him and he's been my doc for 15 years, he knows my business issues and asks about my alcohol use/abuse from the stress. I'm honest and tell him I'm having much more than ever before but I rarely if ever get "drunk". I told him I've been having a big nightcap most every night.

He then tells me I need to stop(of course) and says he would rather prescribe me some pills to help me mellow at night than see me hit a few fingers of the Bushmills. I was really shocked as this guy is very conservative in his approach normally. What are you guys thoughts on this?

[kang]

There’s a big difference between alcoholism and just drinking alcohol, even if it is every night. You tell us (or yourself, if you want to keep it private), where do you think you fall?

[kach22i]

An old college buddy of mine was having a drink every day after work to wind down, he was never a heavy drinker. He ended up going into rehab and now sees a person to talk to once a week.

My tummy does not allow me to drink every day, I need another stress relief.

[lendaddy]

I don't think I'm an alcoholic in the sense that I can't go without it though I'm sure I would be diagnosed as one due to my habits.

I can and have easily gone days without it and I'm fine. I don't get shakes or any other withdrawal symptoms. I don't drink during the day and I don't get drunk. But certainly that's what any alcoholic would say right

Hell I don't know, the definition is vague.

[kach22i]

Look up addictive personality, people even become addicted to food. Anything can be addictive.

Also see that porn thread.

[nostatic]

what meds does he want to prescribe? Those can be as bad or worse than alcohol.

[lendaddy]

Oh, I know it's bad for me I'm not trying to defend the behavior. I'm just asking if you guys think my doc's idea is a good or bad one in the attempt to change it.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by nostatic

what meds does he want to prescribe? Those can be as bad or worse than alcohol.

Xanax .5mg

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by kstarnes

I probably have a drink once every few weeks and really enjoy one drink.

Sounds like married people and sex.

[cgarr]

Sounds more like a habit than an addiction? But as with me the habit was not easy to shake until the legal system stepped in. Your right, The definition is vague, but what I have found was if you cant stop drinking once you start, then you have a problem. I had a shrink once tell me, If you have ever had a drink and then drive, your an alcoholic, wow, then there is a lot of alcoholics out there then..

[Joeaksa]

I usually drink one drink every night. Either a glass of red wine or one manhattan. My Father did the same and died at 80 or so of bone cancer. Doubt that the nightly drink caused that.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Xanax .5mg

OH. HELL. NO.


Xanax is one of the most over-prescribed, abused, misused, and addictive "anti-anxiety" medications out there.

That's my $.02 and I'm not a doctor. But everywhere I go, I see people poppin those things like PEZ, and it drives me ******* nuts.

Stick with 2 fingers, daddy. Just make sure it's not 4 fingers. And skip a day every couplea days.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Xanax .5mg

I know xanax pretty well. How long does he expect you to take it? Frankly, 0.5mg is more than I would have expected. Usually you will go with the minimum effective dose, especially with an anti-anxiolytic. I would have thought 0.25mg.

You can get psychologically hooked on xanax pretty easily. Some docs don't like to prescribe it, preferring ativan or other related benzodiazepines. But it totally depends on the person. I didn't find ativan to work very well for me. Xanax does. But you have to watch it like a hawk.

Are you having anxiety attacks? Inability to get to sleep, edginess, etc? Is the booze just to "take the edge off" or are you wanting to get a buzz or ? Meds and/or booze are treating symptoms, but the can be necessary and make a world of difference. If the underlying issues aren't addressed, you'll be stuck on them.

My doc recommends a glass of red wine a night, but that is for the heart, not the head.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Stick with 2 fingers, daddy. Just make sure it's not 4 fingers. And skip a day every couplea days.

or smoke a bowl. Easier on the liver...worse for the lungs.

[gassy]

Jeremy is right-- I had a real problem with Xanax--relied on them waaay too much. Very addictive. Quit them cold turkey after my daughter asked why I was acting "weird" one night. So...it was back to whisky for me. I think you're fine man.
Christian.

[lendaddy]

Thanks guys. I'll give it more thought.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I know xanax pretty well. How long does he expect you to take it? Frankly, 0.5mg is more than I would have expected. Usually you will go with the minimum effective dose, especially with an anti-anxiolytic. I would have thought 0.25mg.

As needed I guess. He said have one at night instead of the alcohol. I took one yesterday just to see and I didn't find it to have a great effect. Certainly nothing that effected how I was acting.

[livi]

I would easily choose the booze. As long as you keep the daily intake low and only at night, without any tendency for gradually raising the doses, it is quite plausible you will only experience the positive effects on your health.

My evenings usually include a couple of beer and/or a few glasses of wine.

OK, I am a doc with a bad habit. So what!

[JeremyD]

Woo Woo Xanex - Xanex is the only thing in my life that I have taken - and I looked forward to taking it - first few - no big deal - after awhile - woo woo - just get that stupid grin -

I'd steer clear if I were you Len.

Have a couple of pops a few nights a week - try and take a brisk walk - exercise a few - you'd be amazed what the endorphins from a little exercise can do...

[island911]

Exercise. --the best thing for helping to not have an edge at night.

Turn off the computer, find tasks that have you moving all day. ...like organize the garage, wash the cars... keep a reasonably fast pace; but do pace.

Funny, the Doc want's to take control of the drugs going into you. --that's not much of a solution, imo.