Lost in Alcohol.....?
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Lost in Alcohol.....?
I know this might be a bit of a touchy subject.
However, I feel compelled to ask advise from some of my fellow pilots. I hope you can appreciate me being very honest here.
Doing contract work I find myself 3 out of 4 weeks every month in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere. I read a lot, bring my laptop, have good social contacts and do the odd crossword puzzle, I'm even learning a new language
Still I find myself drinking 3-4 glasses (very good) whisky every night. Now to be absolutely clear about it, I do NOT drink well before I have to fly. So I can safely say it does not affect my performance. On the other hand I drink more when I don't have to fly the next day
My point is: When do you admit you have a problem and seek some help???
I think I'm not there quite yet, but then again dont we all love that small word called "denial"
Your thoughts/advise on the subject are greatly appreciated......
LOC *
However, I feel compelled to ask advise from some of my fellow pilots. I hope you can appreciate me being very honest here.
Doing contract work I find myself 3 out of 4 weeks every month in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere. I read a lot, bring my laptop, have good social contacts and do the odd crossword puzzle, I'm even learning a new language
Still I find myself drinking 3-4 glasses (very good) whisky every night. Now to be absolutely clear about it, I do NOT drink well before I have to fly. So I can safely say it does not affect my performance. On the other hand I drink more when I don't have to fly the next day
My point is: When do you admit you have a problem and seek some help???
I think I'm not there quite yet, but then again dont we all love that small word called "denial"
Your thoughts/advise on the subject are greatly appreciated......
LOC *
Psychophysiological entity
LOC*, well done, you have passed the first stage of stabilizing what might become a career, or even a life threatening situation.
First and foremost, you should try to stop all intake of alcohol for a short trial period; just to see if you can. Your studies could be the way to take your mind off the problem.
As a young first officer, I flew with people that drank so much that they had become literally psychotic. A double miniature during the taxi in, was just the beginning of their evening's session. Somehow they fooled the management...for a while.
It caused me to storm out of a top job because my fleet manager was the one in denial, not the sick captain. It was a terrible situation that I hope can not happen these days. Not to the same extent anyway.
When I became a captain, I was able to get a flowing supply of whisky due to some strange set of circumstances. After duty, I would look forward to a tipple. Before long, that became a serious proportion of whisky v lemonade. It was a good method of winding down, but I noticed that I never felt quite well while this was going on. I knew that it had to stop.
One of the people that I love to read about is Richard Feynman, and I say about, because reading his science is a given if you want to understand certain aspects of physics. While working during a sabbatical, he noticed that he was really looking forward to getting to the bar each evening; indeed, early evening. He is quoted as saying, "I like to think...." and words to the effect that it was certain that this increased level of drinking would impair his mental abilities...Permanently.
I like a drink, but there is one certain method of not letting this take you down the dark corridor.
Plan a precise amount for a given situation, be it a wild party or the lonely hotel room that we are all too familiar with.
Strangely the party is the least dangerous, the odd binge seems to give some kind of release. No, it's the bottle of good malt, or even an hundred-proof, sitting beside you in the hotel room that is the danger. It's strange how quickly that bottle seems to empty after a while.
A precise measure for the evening is the only way, and if you exceed that amount, quit for say, a week. Too tough? You should read my seven pages of flight report on a life changing trip to Rome. Nothing, and I mean nothing, that I have ever read on pprune comes close to what happened to me that day. The man was deranged even when (fairly ) sober. it was almost certainly due to alcohol.
In the old medical establishment on Praed St sp? was a coffee table with a glass top. Under the glass was an assortment of pictures of pilot's brains. They showed various stages of damage due to drinking. Even the unskilled eye could see the difference...it was frightening.
Well, I'm sure that I've made my point, now it's your call. Good luck.
First and foremost, you should try to stop all intake of alcohol for a short trial period; just to see if you can. Your studies could be the way to take your mind off the problem.
As a young first officer, I flew with people that drank so much that they had become literally psychotic. A double miniature during the taxi in, was just the beginning of their evening's session. Somehow they fooled the management...for a while.
It caused me to storm out of a top job because my fleet manager was the one in denial, not the sick captain. It was a terrible situation that I hope can not happen these days. Not to the same extent anyway.
When I became a captain, I was able to get a flowing supply of whisky due to some strange set of circumstances. After duty, I would look forward to a tipple. Before long, that became a serious proportion of whisky v lemonade. It was a good method of winding down, but I noticed that I never felt quite well while this was going on. I knew that it had to stop.
One of the people that I love to read about is Richard Feynman, and I say about, because reading his science is a given if you want to understand certain aspects of physics. While working during a sabbatical, he noticed that he was really looking forward to getting to the bar each evening; indeed, early evening. He is quoted as saying, "I like to think...." and words to the effect that it was certain that this increased level of drinking would impair his mental abilities...Permanently.
I like a drink, but there is one certain method of not letting this take you down the dark corridor.
Plan a precise amount for a given situation, be it a wild party or the lonely hotel room that we are all too familiar with.
Strangely the party is the least dangerous, the odd binge seems to give some kind of release. No, it's the bottle of good malt, or even an hundred-proof, sitting beside you in the hotel room that is the danger. It's strange how quickly that bottle seems to empty after a while.
A precise measure for the evening is the only way, and if you exceed that amount, quit for say, a week. Too tough? You should read my seven pages of flight report on a life changing trip to Rome. Nothing, and I mean nothing, that I have ever read on pprune comes close to what happened to me that day. The man was deranged even when (fairly ) sober. it was almost certainly due to alcohol.
In the old medical establishment on Praed St sp? was a coffee table with a glass top. Under the glass was an assortment of pictures of pilot's brains. They showed various stages of damage due to drinking. Even the unskilled eye could see the difference...it was frightening.
Well, I'm sure that I've made my point, now it's your call. Good luck.
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My point is: When do you admit you have a problem and seek some help???
All joking apart, the "official line" from the (UK) Department of Health, suggests 21 units/ week as a sensible limit.
We are trained to look for certain "cues" which suggest a patient is drinking too much: these incude feelings of gulit following a session,. annoyance when people criticise your drinking pattern, and the need for an "eye opener" to boost start the day.
Any, or multiple, cues suggest a problem could be iniment.
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Have a go at the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test
That will give you a good indication on what your state of play is.
Remember that the problem is not only confined to the effects of the alcohol itself (intoxication, lack of judgment etc) but also spreads itself across the rest of life with craving for the stuff when sober, irritability when sober etc.
That will give you a good indication on what your state of play is.
Remember that the problem is not only confined to the effects of the alcohol itself (intoxication, lack of judgment etc) but also spreads itself across the rest of life with craving for the stuff when sober, irritability when sober etc.
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A refreshingly honest post LOC*, recognition of an actual or potential problem is indicative that your personal control of the situation is well in hand.
May I suggest, try going 'dry' for a week or two, and see if you notice any significant (other than habitual) changes within yourself. If you feel irritable, lousy, craving for a 'shot', then yep, get some help. If not, then you probably don't have a problem.
I've always used diazapem for 'forced' sleep when necessary (oh boy, Loose Rivets will have something to say about this), but always worried that it might become habit forming outside the 'forced sleep' requirement. Total abstinance for a month showed nil side effects, so there was no problem, but, if there had been any ill effects of my withdrawl, then I would have been obliged to do something about it.
I think that you have your problem half way solved already.
Regards,
Old Smokey
May I suggest, try going 'dry' for a week or two, and see if you notice any significant (other than habitual) changes within yourself. If you feel irritable, lousy, craving for a 'shot', then yep, get some help. If not, then you probably don't have a problem.
I've always used diazapem for 'forced' sleep when necessary (oh boy, Loose Rivets will have something to say about this), but always worried that it might become habit forming outside the 'forced sleep' requirement. Total abstinance for a month showed nil side effects, so there was no problem, but, if there had been any ill effects of my withdrawl, then I would have been obliged to do something about it.
I think that you have your problem half way solved already.
Regards,
Old Smokey
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"Coming off benzodiazepine tranquillisers or sleeping pills.
Warning: “Cold turkey” withdrawal (stopping benzodiazepines completely all at once) is strongly advised against. It is possible to have a withdrawal seizure or fit as a result of “cold turkey”. Stopping all at once often means the person can be overwhelmed with severe withdrawal symptoms. As the pain and distress is unbearable, the person will usually start taking benzodiazepines again, which can result in a sense of failure, or a fear of going through withdrawal again.
It is recommended that people taking benzodiazepines who wish to come off the drugs reduce the dose by small amounts rather than stopping completely even after only a few weeks of benzodiazepine use.
A slow reduction program from the drugs allows the body and mind to slowly adjust to each level and gradually return to normal functioning".
http://www.tranx.org.au/benzodiaz.html
Warning: “Cold turkey” withdrawal (stopping benzodiazepines completely all at once) is strongly advised against. It is possible to have a withdrawal seizure or fit as a result of “cold turkey”. Stopping all at once often means the person can be overwhelmed with severe withdrawal symptoms. As the pain and distress is unbearable, the person will usually start taking benzodiazepines again, which can result in a sense of failure, or a fear of going through withdrawal again.
It is recommended that people taking benzodiazepines who wish to come off the drugs reduce the dose by small amounts rather than stopping completely even after only a few weeks of benzodiazepine use.
A slow reduction program from the drugs allows the body and mind to slowly adjust to each level and gradually return to normal functioning".
http://www.tranx.org.au/benzodiaz.html
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Old Smokey,
5 - 10 mg of diazepam per month (that's only 1-2 5 mg tablets per month, or 2.5-5 2 mg tablets per month) is not considered to be within the "risk zone" for withdrawal symptoms or dependency.
But if you're taking diazepam for when you have to sleep, you might like to consider shorter acting alternatives like tamazepam or non-benzodiadepine hypnotics like zolpidem or zopiclone?
5 - 10 mg of diazepam per month (that's only 1-2 5 mg tablets per month, or 2.5-5 2 mg tablets per month) is not considered to be within the "risk zone" for withdrawal symptoms or dependency.
But if you're taking diazepam for when you have to sleep, you might like to consider shorter acting alternatives like tamazepam or non-benzodiadepine hypnotics like zolpidem or zopiclone?
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Old Smokey,
The notion that someone has a handle on their addiction if they can abstain for a short period of time is not founded on any scientific basis and is a tactic often deployed by people with dependency problems.
Diazepam is not good for solving sleeping problems and has in common with all other benzodiazepines that they are highly addictive, both psychological and physical.
Zopiclone is better but by no means non-addictive either.
These drugs were initially hailed as being brilliant but as so often when used in the general population proved to have addictive propensities too.
People best check any medication they take against what is allowed by their regulatory authority. All Benzos are forbidden by the FAA.
The notion that someone has a handle on their addiction if they can abstain for a short period of time is not founded on any scientific basis and is a tactic often deployed by people with dependency problems.
Diazepam is not good for solving sleeping problems and has in common with all other benzodiazepines that they are highly addictive, both psychological and physical.
Zopiclone is better but by no means non-addictive either.
These drugs were initially hailed as being brilliant but as so often when used in the general population proved to have addictive propensities too.
People best check any medication they take against what is allowed by their regulatory authority. All Benzos are forbidden by the FAA.
Plastic PPRuNer
Niknak - Having had the unpleasant experience of living with an alcoholic, I can promise you that very few GPs know enough about alcoholism to be of much use.
Psychiatrists are rarely better informed and the average manipulative alcoholic can fool them for a long time, as I discovered.
The only people they can't fool are alcos in recovery 'cos they 've "been there, done that and got the T-shirt"!
Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon (for the families and friends of victims) are the only people who really seem to understand the illness properly and give good advice.
The alco I lived with has now been sober (and happy) in recovery for more than ten years.
Psychiatrists are rarely better informed and the average manipulative alcoholic can fool them for a long time, as I discovered.
The only people they can't fool are alcos in recovery 'cos they 've "been there, done that and got the T-shirt"!
Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon (for the families and friends of victims) are the only people who really seem to understand the illness properly and give good advice.
The alco I lived with has now been sober (and happy) in recovery for more than ten years.
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Re: Lost in Alcohol.....?
Thanks for all the advise,
Altough not scientifically proven I do plan to stop drinking fo a while.
I don't really expect to have problems with that but wonder if I get cranky or get affected in any other way. Just had to wait till after newyear for obvious reasons
Will let you know how it goes in due time.
Again thanks for the advise and wish you all a happy and healthy 2006
Altough not scientifically proven
I do plan to stop drinking fo a while. I don't really expect to have problems with that but wonder if I get cranky or get affected in any other way. Just had to wait till after newyear for obvious reasons
Will let you know how it goes in due time.
Again thanks for the advise and wish you all a happy and healthy 2006
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Re: Lost in Alcohol.....?
Originally Posted by kissmysquirrel
I worked a job for 16 years where it was considered unsociable if you didnt go to the bar every night and drink your self stupid.
LOC: All the best in your effort to abstaining from the very likes of alcohol. I'm sorry for not being able to give you any advice regarding the matter. I have no experience in this matter or whatsoever. Perhaps picking up a new hobby would help? Well, personally I think you're already on the right track. You'll do fine, sir.
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Re: Lost in Alcohol.....?
LOC
I'll give you a slightly different perspective, having also found that solo in motel/hotel rooms is an incentive to consume alcohol.
I have gone into abstinence for a month or more several times when I felt I was over imbibing, and I have also known several alcoholics and seen the effect on their lives, marriages, and health.
However, it was 43 deg C here last Saturday and I enjoyed several beers at the end of the work day.
All things in moderation - same applies to alcohol. Plus over here they are dynamite on drink driving and I need my licence.
My aim is to limit the number of tipples per occasion, and the number of occasions. Saturday night is a "legitimate" beer o'clock as it is when we congregate.
As a control mechanism I keep an annual calendar (half page size) and monitor weekly my success rate in terms of percentage of days free of alcohol. I believe that is an excellent starting point.
I do not intend going cold turkey and I have the greatest respect for the willpower of those who do. But, if you find that is too severe an immediate step for you, try the calendar control method. Also, one alcohol, one water is a neat way of containing the alcohol intake in a sitting - and preventing the alcohol induced dehydration that can catch up next day.
I'll give you a slightly different perspective, having also found that solo in motel/hotel rooms is an incentive to consume alcohol.
I have gone into abstinence for a month or more several times when I felt I was over imbibing, and I have also known several alcoholics and seen the effect on their lives, marriages, and health.
However, it was 43 deg C here last Saturday and I enjoyed several beers at the end of the work day.
All things in moderation - same applies to alcohol. Plus over here they are dynamite on drink driving and I need my licence.
My aim is to limit the number of tipples per occasion, and the number of occasions. Saturday night is a "legitimate" beer o'clock as it is when we congregate.
As a control mechanism I keep an annual calendar (half page size) and monitor weekly my success rate in terms of percentage of days free of alcohol. I believe that is an excellent starting point.
I do not intend going cold turkey and I have the greatest respect for the willpower of those who do. But, if you find that is too severe an immediate step for you, try the calendar control method. Also, one alcohol, one water is a neat way of containing the alcohol intake in a sitting - and preventing the alcohol induced dehydration that can catch up next day.
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Re: Lost in Alcohol.....?
"I can promise you that very few GPs know enough about [insert any noun here] to be of much use..."
Mac the Knife,
Spoken like a true surgeon!
QDM
Mac the Knife,
Spoken like a true surgeon!
QDM
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Re: Lost in Alcohol.....?
Go to your gp and ask for a liver function blood test.
Shame to hear our secondary care colleagues knocking primary care. But what do you expect from someone who gets 90% of the resources and does 10% of the work
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Re: Lost in Alcohol.....?
Friends, no need for intraprofessional bitching,
We're supposed to be a closed shop, or so we should believe.
Bloodtests, although necessary and helpful at times will only start to become deranged when a lot of damage has already been done.
On the other hand they can give false reassurances about people's drinking behaviour.
We're supposed to be a closed shop, or so we should believe.
Bloodtests, although necessary and helpful at times will only start to become deranged when a lot of damage has already been done.
On the other hand they can give false reassurances about people's drinking behaviour.