Q: I am inquiring about getting help. I have been drinking basically everyday for at least four or five years now, lately almost all day. There have been some personal things going on that have exacerbated it.
I have tried to stop for a day or two but find myself unable to sleep. I have also read that stopping cold turkey can cause a stroke or heart attack.
I am contacting you because I have no idea how to start getting help. I have no insurance and very little support as far as friends and family are concerned. If you could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it very much.
A: Let me first say how happy I am that you decided to get information about how to stop drinking. Making the decision to do something about your problem is always the first step — and a key one.
Stopping alcohol cold turkey can be dangerous, depending upon how physically dependent a person is on alcohol. When people drink daily, their bodies get used to having alcohol. When it is not longer available, a person's body can go into a state of emergency and suffer from withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal symptoms are high blood pressure, anxiety and tremors, rapid heartbeat, sweating, sleep difficulties, headache, nausea and vomiting, mental confusion and agitation, and seizures.
While not everyone experiences these symptoms, and while withdrawal syndrome varies in intensity (from what you wrote, you have at least experienced sleep difficulties), it is a good idea to get detoxified in a medical setting. During detoxification, you will get tapering amounts of medication that replace the alcohol, allowing your body to adjust gradually. Also during this time, you will be assigned a case manager who will work with you to develop an after care. Getting off alcohol is only the first step; staying off is the second. It is a good idea to get connected to some kind of treatment for continued support.
CAB operates two detoxification programs, one in Danvers and one in Boston. The number for Danvers is (978) 777-2121 and Boston's is (617) 247-1001. You can call and let the staff know that you are interested in getting admitted. There is also a statewide 24 hour helpline (1-800-327-5050) that knows of all resources n the state. CAB does receive some money from the Department of Public Health to pay for this treatment for individuals who do not have health insurance. However, as Massachusetts now has universal healthcare, you should know that you may be eligible to obtain health insurance by contacting the Division of Medical Assistance at http://mass.gov/masshealth or by calling 1 800 841-2900.
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Send questions about addictions or related problems to: Take The First Step, c/o The Eagle-Tribune, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; or send e-mail to michael_levy@cabhealth.org. Questions will be answered in confidence by a clinical team led by Dr. Michael Levy, director of clinical treatment services at CAB Health & Recovery Services in Peabody and author of "Take Control of Your Drinking...and You May Not Need to Quit."
