Alcohol

[jcr0205]

Hi all, I’ve been type 1 for 24 years, I’m now 40.
I’ve got lots of complications including needing to have laser eye surgery because of the damage I caused.
I’m drinking a bottle of wine a night; 2 at weekends, my health is ****, I look like **** and I’m putting on weight but I am still struggling to stop!
I feel so low and **** about myself that I drink even though it’s the drink that’s doing this.
I live with my 11 year old son so I sit alone most nights.
My tooth literally just feel out yesterday and I know I’m damaging my health.
I want to change but struggle to do so

 

[Dark Horse]

I'm really sorry to hear you are so down. I'm sure you know that alcohol is a depressant drug which will contribute to your feeling low - a vicious circle. It's possible that you might benefit from some specialist help to reduce your alcohol consumption - your GP should be able to refer you. You could make a start by looking at this website:- https://www.downyourdrink.org.uk/
It's evidence-based and suggests various techniques for helping people reduce their drinking. I suggest you take your time and have a go at using it. If you feel you need them, there are other such self-hep websites available.

Meanwhile, try noting what prompts you to start drinking (stress? boredom? habit? unhappiness? anger? etc) and then try and think of alternative ways to cope (exercise? a new hobby? contacting friends? self-help books? etc). Sometime simple techniques like alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks can or doing a hobby that requires two hands (making it more difficult to lift a glass to the mouth) can help people to start cutting back.

 

[AldenChad]

I’ve had type one for forty years and I have been drinking what you pack away every day. The drink will kill me in the end, regardless of my diabetes. However, I enjoy every bottle. I also smoke weed.

Some years ago I was diagnosed with depression and after some sessions with the Shrink and some antidepressants I identified the causes and adjusted my thinking. I’m Okay now. I never stopped drinking or smoking weed.

I’m sixty two this year; my A1c is 5.8 and time in range just over 90%. I’ve lost most of my teeth due to smoking tobacco for fifty years, but since I stopped ten years ago the remaining teeth are hanging on.

May I suggest that you think hard about what is making you feel bad, I doubt it’s the drink. Managing diabetes is hard, if you’re struggling a pump and or CGM may help. If you feel you are clinically depressed talk to your GP.

 

[Geordie_P]

AldenChad makes a good point that the alcohol is more likely to be a response to a deeper problem than a problem in itself,
however, if you are drinking but not enjoying it, that can exacerbate your issues. I think tapering down would be a good option for you.

 

[AldenChad]

AldenChad makes a good point that the alcohol is more likely to be a response to a deeper problem than a problem in itself,
however, if you are drinking but not enjoying it, that can exacerbate your issues. I think tapering down would be a good option for you.

Sorry, but it never occurred to me that someone could drink, but not enjoy it.

 

[bmtest]

Drink is enjoyable you have choice get better control and ditch wine its one of those drinks that had little effect on me.

I much prefer to test blood sugar and down the polish lager test after drinking 4 or 5 and adjust as necessary.