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I went to inpatient in Utah, they went shopping for us once a week. We could order stuff online too. We weren’t allowed to have food (except candy we could keep behind the staff counter). Check the electronics policy - most places, due to HIPAA, any electronics with cameras or WiFi aren’t allowed, but we could have music players without cameras or internet capability. Bluetooth speaker is nice. Bring books, art supplies, workout stuff, maybe some games if you have them. I killed a lot of time making friendship bracelets, reading Harry Potter and stretching/practicing handstands.

I sent these to my best friend when she was in inpatient and everyone loved it.

I liked having small comforts from home. I brought an oil diffuser. A couple others had them and we would trade scents and oils. If you have a favorite pillow/blanket bring it. Lots of comfortable clothes. Nice lotions or toiletries. They confiscated anything with alcohol in the first few ingredients, but we were able to check those out from the staff desk. Bring flip flops/slippers so you don’t have to put on shoes every time you leave your room (we weren’t allowed to walk around in pajamas or barefoot)

Really, it depends on the facility and what is allowed and expected. Some are very hospital psych-ward like and super restricted, some allow you a lot of freedom. I went to a really boujie one that my job paid for and we had a lot of scheduled activities throughout the month. Mostly it was just boring though, honestly.

There isn't much in the way of TSM doctors in Spain (a Contral Clinic around Malaga www.medivitalclinic.com), but the information on how to use TSM is free, so if you can get the Naltrexone then it's fairly easy to use the TSM protocol. Naltrexone is available in some places in Spain without prescription, but my guess is that if you ask the pharmacy for a referral to a doctor that has prescribed it recently that may be all you need to get a script/prescription for it.

Here's a link to the book "The Cure for Alcoholism", it's a free PDF:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/60fs7gmvbyzs1kk/Cure%20for%20Alcoholism.pdf?dl=0

I don't think there's a free Spanish version, but here's a link to the Spanish version on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015BU19LW

But the protocol is simple. Take the medication an hour before your first drink of the day, ONLY on drinking days. Start with a reduced dose in case there are transient side effects and increase to a full pill when you can (this is paraphrased from the book). That's it.

For community support, go to r/Alcoholism_Medication or http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/

To get to your private messages this link should do the trick. I'll send you a PM so you have one to read if you don't already.

https://www.reddit.com/message/messages/

Yes! I'm on day 138 today and I've replaced alcohol with junk. When I first quit I promise you I had a pint of haagen daz every Saturday AND Sunday for a month. As soon as I quit drinking I started exercising, so I was already doing that

What has helped me lose weight still is intermittent fasting. I was doing OMAD- one meal a day during the week since August and now I'm fasting 1-2 days per week. I still eat junk though so it's not ideal. I'm trying to make better choices. I have an all or nothing personality, whether it be with alcohol or food. It helps me not to eat during the day. Now that I have the fasting thing down, somewhat, I'm planning to swap out "bad junk" to less bad junk. Like instead of ice cream, eat banana ice cream. Instead of snickers, eat dark chocolate.

It's a process. I used to have tons of healthy food ready made in the fridge but still order takeout or have junk. At least it's not just me. I hope to improve my relationship with food one day. But good for you for not drinking or smoking.

I also read this book called never binge again -> https://www.amazon.com/Never-Binge-Again-Permanently-Overeating-ebook/dp/B014V1Q6SI

If you are a rules person, this could help you. It's free with Kindle unlimited. It helps you manage food obsessions. Like I only have real ice cream every other week and I have to go to the ice cream shop to get it.

Terrific post, hopefully will inspire many to act.

You can pick up a copy of the book for $10.19. Totally worth it.

Benadryl can help at first. But like Fappin said, it will get better with time. Lately, I've been drinking this tea before bed.

Look man, you're among friends here. That first shot or two back is always amazing, and we all know that feeling. No one faults you for any of this, so go easy on yourself. And next time you're looking at the opportunity to do it again, think about how you feel right now. Is the fleeting warmth worth the ensuing days/weeks of anxiety? You don't get one without the other, and at some point that shitty payoff just isn't worth it anymore. Obligatory This Naked Mind referral as well.

Have you tried reading some books about alcoholism?

I found these books helpful:

Alcohol Explained: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W4D1YW4

SMART Recovery Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LTDKS2W

This Naked Mind: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016JP45PU

Many people in AA believe that they have a weird form of power over other human beings in the form of sponsorship. It’s the only chance they’ll have to “be in charge” so they take advantage of it giving bad interpretations of the book. They spit out nonsense to these poor souls without ever really having a handle on their own sobriety. The tell you to reaffirm multiple times per day that you’re an alcoholic! Thats madness considering that you are what you tell yourself you are. I’ve never heard of the method you used but of it works... I love it. I used marijuana to get over seizures and started using it to meditate to cure my alcoholism. Guess what? It works. You’re right for listening to yourself because it’s your life. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t recover or that AA is the only way. It would probably be far more effective but f they took about half of the bullshit out, and if it weren’t for the people that feel they need power over other humans. Rock on brother and quit counting days. You wouldn’t count the days from when your last bad relationship ended... it’s just another way to give the booze or drug power. Thanks for sharing!

neilfirszt.com

Recovered: The Cure for Alcoholism https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYSQGK4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jzLNBb8EDEXQE

I got this book The Meaning Of Truth more to deal with pain management stuff, but the main thrust of her idea is that super-honest journaling can help discharge deep-seated emotions and traumas. One of the points she makes that I found helpful was that it can take some time writing surface stuff, or what we think we "should" be saying, before getting down to the raw truth. She also recommends destroying the journal pages after writing, since self-censoring of any kind goes against this kind of journaling. I find that it's easier to be totally, brutally honest about what I'm thinking and feeling if I know I'm not going to leave any evidence.

I, too, have a book recommendation, it's called The Man Who Planted Trees: A Story of Lost Groves, the Science of Trees, and a Plan to Save the Planet. There isn't much alcohol in it, except that this man (not the author), during extreme near-death DT's had an epiphany about trees, which gave him meaning to his life (and he hasn't drank since).

Sometimes, I want an epiphany.

One of the best I've ever read is Drunk Mom by Jolita Bydowska

Drunk Mom: A Memoir https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143126504/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YPB3xbF1HTWVT

rTMS has been in use since 1985.


Found this transcranial direct current stimulation unit on Amazon if anyone wants to try it on a budget.

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, this is what I've been taking:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001EQ92VW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524613135&sr=8-1&keywords=liver+refresh&dpPl=1&dpID=41TE1Tjg8SL&ref=plSrch

Hey Fish, depression seriously sucks. I've been there and when you lose all hope it can seem impossible to turn things around. But I'm living proof it can be done. I believe in you and think you can too.

Also I hope you don't think I'm giving hollow advice here, but why don't you get this book and look at a different perspective? You might be surprised how you can get some control back and some coping skills.

https://www.amazon.com/Unfu-Yourself-Your-Head-into/dp/0062803832/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1570545237&sr=8-2

You might not have a lot of money right now but I highly recommend this book -- it's got a ton of useful information and exercises to identify and alleviate stress and anxiety. CBT and DBT practices are common in many inpatient and outpatient recovery because self-medicating for anxiety is one of the biggest reasons alcoholics and addicts cite.

For myself, taking walks and listening to podcasts help distract me from obsessing over my anxiety and fears. I also try and keep regular breaths -- I find a lot of the time, when I'm anxious, I'm actually holding my breath without thinking.

Hello. My post is in regard to immediate distraction, but will be useful. I still use all of this stuff myself. In my IOP course they taught a subset of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy. When I was having crazy cravings I spent a lot of time studying this book trying to build mastery over my future.

Next up was practicing mindfulness. If you can focus your attention to the exact moment, letting go of the past or future, but being present now, and then trying to stay that way for a little bit starts to strengthen your brain against these intrusive thoughts. I started going on mindful walks where I'd feel the grit under my shoes, listen to the leaves in the trees, use whatever senses to try and keep focused here and now.

After that exercise. I took up running and started riding my bike again. Aerobic exercise is a really good mood stabilizer that releases endorphins. I still hate running, but I like the part when I am finished.

Deep breathing can also calm and relax the body. Breathe in with your belly and hold it for a moment and exhale. Keep doing this in and out and it can help calm anxiety. In the beginning I used to have hour long panic attacks. This insane fear of impending doom I couldn't really describe. The most scared I've ever been, but breathing helped a bit.

If all else fails, go open your freezer and get a blast of cold air to the face. That'll get you in the moment! Keep searching for what works. There's lots of stuff out there.