ADDICTION AND WITHDRAWAL

[tryingtolosethefear]

Drink about 6 cans a night one or two dry days a week off now and need to find something for withdrawal like there is zyban and nicotine replacment for smokers need something for me.   

Am on venlafaxine 150 mg a day
 
    Thanks

[gloomy]

You might not need anything.  If you manage two dry days a week how do you feel then?  Do you suffer with withdrawal symptoms?

[tryingtolosethefear]

Suffer badly.       Just thought maybe need something to take the edge off like.

[gloomy]

Have you spoken to your doctor about your drinking?  I am not sure how long the withdrawal will last for if you go cold turkey.  I know there are certain drugs that can help when alcohol addiction is being treated but you really need to speak to your doctor he may be able to access a suppport programme for you aswell.
You have already jumped over the first hurdle by admitting you have a problem
Good luck

[ocdengineer]

If you are truly an alcoholic, then cold turkey is not a good idea with alcohol.  Alcohol relaxes the central nervous system similar to a benzodiazepene but has a much shorter half-life.  The effects of going "cold turkey" for a serious alcoholic could be as bad as seizures.  I would suggest you talk to a doctor and slowly wean yourself off the alcohol by decreasing the amount slowly.  Maybe over a period of a month or so taper down to nothing.  Actually, in a lot of serious in-patient alcohol detox programs you will be given a long lasting benzodiazepene like Klonopin or Vallium to get you through the rough part of the withdrawl and then they slowly wean you off the benzo. 

The second major problem is the alcohol may actually be helping you to deal with anxiety.  This is common with many anxiety disorder sufferers, in which case, you will find yourself dealing with the anxiety at the same time as withdrawl and that is the perfect storm.  You will probably need psychiatric help via a therapist. Consider in-patient help or at the very least AA.  I went to AA for a couple months and it helped me quit.

Good luck,
OE

[Nicketas]

Drink about 6 cans a night one or two dry days a week off now and need to find something for withdrawal like there is zyban and nicotine replacment for smokers need something for me.   

Am on venlafaxine 150 mg a day
 
    Thanks

Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawals are very severe. Do not go cold turkey.

Taking other drugs won't solve the problem.

Instead, this free information will:

http://www.theroadback.org

[LibbyLou02xo]

[/quote]


Effexor/Venlafaxine withdrawals are very severe. Do not go cold turkey.

Taking other drugs won't solve the problem.

Instead, this free information will:

http://www.theroadback.org
[/quote]



Im sorry I really did not see the point of that website?! All it did was tell me any and everything that could possibly go wrong with taking Lexapro..... Maybe I misunderstood?

[itzmebob]

everyone has given you good responses.
for the best chance of succesfully dealing with your addiction,
see your doctor.
I was alcoholic and addicted to Ativan.
I quit both 8-8-88.  almost 20 years.
I belive in rehab, AA, NA and group settings.
the best choice I made in my life.

BB