Alcoholic

[wally78]

I have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Also just admitted to being an alcoholic - where do I go from here?

 

[Indy51]

Can't really help on the diabetes but you will get plenty of support here from Type 1s.

If you're interested in online support to stop drinking, I'd highly recommend LifeRing which is a secular addiction support organisation with both online and face to face support meetings: http://lifering.org/

 

[TooMuchGlucose]

Not really sure what you could do with alcohol, I'd suggest it's a good idea to take time out of work or whatever you do go to a rehab if that's possible. Alcoholism is a serious problem, with type 1 diabetes it will affect your blood sugar dramatically. You should speak to your healthcare team, have you been referred to a diabetic specialist nurse and seen a consultant?

I'm sorry I can't really offer much help, but I hope things get better for you

 

[wally78]

I'm trying my best to stop drinking but it's an addiction, and to top this all I have been having an affair with this girl for the last three years

 

[TooMuchGlucose]

Is your wife/girlfriend that you're cheating on stressing you out? Do you think that's why you are drinking and having the affair?

 

[wally78]

Not sure.....

 

[wally78]

Struggling with my diabetes though

 

[ButtterflyLady]

Your GP may be able to refer you for some professional help regarding your drinking. Maybe some counselling or therapy might help. Good luck.

 

[wally78]

Thanks for the support

 

[TooMuchGlucose]

Yeah, I think some counselling would definitely help, you are drinking because something is bothering you it was similar with me when I started smoking, glad to say I haven't smoked for more than seven months now, so you can beat the alcohol as well

 

[fred1234]

Eeek you seem to have your fair share of probe. Ditch the girlfriend if yo ur married or she is married.....get counselling for the alcohol problem, and slowly try hard using this site to get your bg under control. It won't happen overnight but you need to try to tackle these main probe. Best of luck

 

[Claire007]

I know it's not as simple as this really, but two out of three of your problems can be put firmly in your past if you're strong enough to tackle them. There isn't anything you can do to reverse a diagnosis of type 1 but you most certainly can manage to control it.

Have a think about it. You have some choices here.

 

[Mike d]

I have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Also just admitted to being an alcoholic - where do I go from here?

That took courage to simply admit it. @Indy51 advice is great. Step by step whether it be diabetes or anything else

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @wally78

Just seen your post. Great courage admitting to the alcohol addiction. Even without the diabetes, the booze will slowly drag life down health wise..
Personally. I feel you have a (sort of.) second addiction too. The "affair". These things can be "all consuming" creating a sort of "tunnel vision" with other life choices & decisions..

So. Where do you go from here..? The D control is paramount. The chaos caused by drink & emotional stuff needs a line drawn under it in order to achieve some sort of healthy program..
We're talking about a "slate wipe". You might be pleasantly surprised at the oportunites that open with lower controlled blood sugar levels & a new clear mind..!

Good luck.

 

[Evelynross]

I have a drink problem too, not sure if I would call myself an alcoholic but I can't stop anyway. The only conclusion I've come to is no cider, beer, wine lager , spirits don't have carbs so try and control it as best you can, I find if I don't have a few glasses at least three times a week I break out and have a bottle. Take care and good luck x

 

[DeejayR]

Who did you admit your alcoholism to firstly? Yourself or someone else?
If someone else, a friend or professional (GP, nurse, counsellor, priest)?

 

[kevinfitzgerald]

I have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Also just admitted to being an alcoholic - where do I go from here?

Hi Wally.

I have been Type 1 for 34 years and have been in recovery from alcoholism since 2004 after twenty continuous years of chronic alcohol addiction.

During those years I nearly died on many occasions due to terrifying alcoholic hypoglycemia and alcohol induced DKA. I am truly fortunate to be here now writing this.

I never once thought I would be alcohol free and if I am honest I never wanted to be. Alcohol was the center of my universe and I put it before everything including my diabetes, friends, family and everything that was dear to me. The thought of stopping drinking terrified me more than drinking myself to death and maybe you will understand what I'm talking about. That thought that it will be different next time only to end up in the same state time after time was a never ending cycle.

You have admitted you are an alcoholic and I applaud you for that. It is a massive step but can I ask if this is just an acknowledgement of your situation or do you want to actually do something about it !

Please feel free to PM me if you wish Wally. I understand the fear you must be going through and I will help as much as I possibly can through my experience of living with both illnesses.

Kev

 

[donnellysdogs]

I have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Also just admitted to being an alcoholic - where do I go from here?

Only upward!!!

 

[Indy51]

The first contact I had with diabetes in real life was working with a Type 1 engineer - really funny entertaining clever young guy with his whole life ahead of him. But he kept pushing the envelope with booze and diabetic comas until we turned up at work one Monday to be told he'd died over the weekend after collapsing in the street after another weekend bender. 33 years old. Such a waste

 

[wally78]

Thanks for the replies - only been diagnosed 5 months but been in hospital 4 times with alcohol dka - each time I come out thinking that was the most awful thing I've had to go through (last time I was being sick every 5 mins for about 6 hours) but still doesn't stop me.......