Ptsd Vs Cptsd - Time Line For Recovery?

[Nicolette]

Jadebear there is a really great book titled Adult Children of Alcoholics by
Janet G. Woititz which I have read (Anthony said I could paste this link so blame him if wrong :eek:) which has excellent Dead Link Removed

 

[anthony]

As for 12 -24 months recovery time; I personally disagree.

That isn't what was stated... but 12 - 24 months to get through trauma therapy and to see a clear difference with symptom reduction FROM the time the person actively begins to really commit themself into trauma therapy.

The before period, being uncontrolled, unknown is irrelevant.

Your sisters case... she reached out for 5 minutes to ask for help, then said "screw it", its easier to just take meds and put up with the abuse, considering one of the abusers had far too much control over her still / she allowed that control.

 

[Nicolette]

That isn't what was stated... but 12 - 24 months to get through trauma therapy and to see a clear difference with symptom reduction FROM the time the person actively begins to really commit themself into trauma therapy.

Geez you're anal sometimes! :p

I also said:

Anthony speaks of time lines as, while unfortunate to have PTSD, he was fortunate to receive financial and emotional support while being able to fall over and deal with his trauma when it was identified. Some are not some fortunate so I would not hold yourself up to any time lines other than to ensure that you head towards progress and changing your life. What works for one does not work for another so find what works for you.

I still stand by that in order to achieve the time lines you stated, a person needs to have the support and resources to be able to undertake such therapy eg...my therapist told me that until some of the other stresses were removed from my life (work at the time) there was no point doing any trauma therapy. I think what you stated would require 'certain conditions' to allow that type of trauma therapy to occur.

I was committed (not the insane type ;)) but had too many external influences at the time I went to therapy.

 

[WonderingWhy]

Okay you two! :rolleyes:

Read what again what each other said again!
You are Both right! Nicolette just a bit more so! :D

She did not appear to me to be really disagreeing with with you (Mr Sensitive/Defensive:p) just expanding on what you said! So it's a truce!!!!

Now play nice children!!! lol;)

 

[jadebear]

You need to begin setting goals to reduce your binging, but don't attempt to just stop it, because it won't work..

Yea, I have already found out on my own that attempting to just stop it doesn't work. But I don't understand how to even begin reducing my binging. Am I supposed to plan the binges now? Cause it's not like I ever really know when I'm going to get the urge to do it. And how do I control myself once I do start drinking? Like I said, once I start, I lose control and don't stop.

You have said before to not drink straight from the bottle. Should I pour a certain amount in a glass, say like 20-24 ounces and hope that's all I drink at one time? Then the next time maybe 16 ounces? I have tried pouring it in a glass, and even mixing a bit of water with it, and what usually happens is once I drink that I end up drinking straight from the bottle. Or should I just try drinking a certain amount straight from the bottle? Or allow myself to chug a certain amount?

My big thing is just chugging it straight from the bottle. It's just not the same effect I'm seeking if I don't. But, that's how I was told to drink it when I was young, so that's what I'm used to.

Thanks for the link Nicolette, I'm going to order the book, it looks interesting and helpful.

 

[sisterinsurvival]

Jade,

I would recommend some type of 12 step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Having a sponsor that supports you would provide someone that you could call and speak to when you felt like binging. When you feel like you just can't take it alone you could go to a meeting. Are you in an area where this would be available to you?

Both my aunt and uncle were alcoholics who never really attempted to manage there addictions. My uncle would binge for 2-4 months at a time until he got to the point of being extremely ill. He would become malnourished and had so much alcohol in his blood that the only way to get him off of it was to have him admitted to a detox center...and eventual to long-term (30-90 day) psychiatric care. He now suffers from senile dementia and is a very sad case indeed.

With their addictions in a unmanaged state, neither of them were able to focus on the anxiety and depression that was present in their lives. Get a handle on something like this is crucial.

Gentlest hugs,
Lynn

 

[jadebear]

Thanks Lynn, but I have been to AA meetings in the past and I really didn't find them beneficial in any way. They didn't give any suggestions or helpful advice, all they did was take turns saying things like "My name is Bob, I'm an alcoholic, and then went into a long winded, depressing life story. I would sit there and tune out and anxiously wait for it to be over with.

And I know how damaging alcohol addiction can be, my brother is dying from cirrhosis of the liver. He started drinking when he was a little kid too. He just never stopped at all. I have had years of not drinking at all, and I went 5 years without a drop. I started back up when I began trauma therapy.

BTW, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't consider myself an "alcoholic". To me, an alcoholic is someone that drinks every single day, from the time they wake up until they go to bed at night, like my brother does. I don't drink every day, I just get the "urge" and do it. Sometimes that urge is once a week, sometimes more, sometimes less.

 

[krystina]

tell your therapist about it maybe he/she can help you. Good luck!

 

[anthony]

Jade... here is the thing, if you want to stop, then you will have that as the foremost thought when you do binge. This is the problem with any addiction... no different to giving up smoking, in that you have to absolutely commit yourself to the act and not make excuses. Alcohol is actually not addictive, so its not alcohol that is making you drink. Its the feeling and the behaviour more so that you have adopted. Behaviours are just as difficult to change as addictive substances.

You think alcohol is addictive possibly... but its not. So when you start drinking, and are telling me that you just then swap and chug from the bottle, its not because alcohol is addictive and you "have" to have it, but instead your behaviour has been taught to do it this way. You need to change your behaviour, which is the addictive aspect in relation to alcohol / in combination with the feeling you get, ie. don't care, all cares just go away, etc. Problems don't go away, but your approach to the problems diminish under the influence.

Two questions!

Ok... so lets look at ways to stop you binging on the weekend. Where do you go that puts you into this position of binging on the weekend vs. a week day?

Also, exactly how much do you drink per week?

 

[jadebear]

If alcohol isn't addictive, then why do I think about it so much and feel a craving for it at times? Or am I just thinking about/craving the feeling I get from it?

It's hard to be honest, but I will......

It's not actually where I go on the weekends, it's how I feel. I have always had a rough time on weekends, I have always felt depressed for some reason. And my husband works out of town every single weekend, so that makes things worse. So I drink alone alot because it makes me feel better(well at first it makes me feel better).

When I go out with friends, I'm the one that is drunk before the night even starts. I start drinking before I'm picked up so that I'm more relaxed. I always tell myself I will just have a few sips but then I start chugging. Then wherever we go, I spend the whole time drinking. I buy 2 drinks at a time and chug them. I haven't been out in awhile because I always end up making a fool of myself. I do things and go places I wouldn't normally do or go, so I'm kind of afraid to go out anymore.

If I have friends over.....same thing. I end up falling down drunk and making a fool of myself by crying or by getting violent. We plan on playing cards or just hanging out and having a few drinks. They have a few drinks and I end up holding the bottle. I haven't had anyone over lately because last time I did, I totally broke down crying in front of them plus I tried to fight a couple of them and even punched one of them.

I'm fine during the daytime hours on the weekends, well other than feeling down. I find things to do when I don't have to work. I go shopping, talk to/visit friends, etc., just normal stuff. But once it's evening/night, I just don't like the way I feel and I want to drink and usually do. So it's not actually where I go or what I'm doing, I think it's more what I'm feeling that makes me want to binge.

Did you mean how much do I drink per week, or how often do I drink?

How often...It varies. It depends on how I am feeling. Sometimes it's maybe just 2 days per week, sometimes 3(or 4), there have been times it's been everyday. If I am feeling anxious, depressed, etc., those are the days I usually drink.

How much...that varies too. It depends on what I'm drinking and how often I have been drinking that week. If I haven't had anything to drink in a dew days, it doesn't take as much. If I have, well then obviously it takes more.

I feel like I've made a sinful confession or something now...

 

[krystina]

just try to relax
it sounds like you are very stressed
do something that relaxes you(NOT ALCOHOL)
do you talk to a therapist if you don't then you should get one
Watch tv or rent a movie
do you have any kids?
if so play some games with them
i love playing games with my mom
try reading a book
next time you want a drink have pop or juice
first get rid of all the alcohol in your house and don't buy anymore.
sleep to helps me

 

[zoe]

Kind of late getting to this thread and at getting my thoughts together.

I wanted to comment on the time line to recovery because I beat myself up over that one a lot. The thread was helpful in that it makes sense that one can't start healing until that are willing to talk. I guess I am just wondering if anyone else has had issues with dissociating so much that it is hard to keep on track. I am incredibly frustrated with myself because even though I feel like I am working at this and my T says I have improved I still spend much time in these spaced out states. They don't last as long as they use to but they are "there" and really interfere.

Jadebear
I would also like to comment on your "confession". I suspect that it is hardest to be honest with yourself no one here is judging least of all me. It was always hard for me to be honest with myself when it came to taking drugs to deal with my anxiety and depression. I think the turning point (hopefully) was the realization that my self-medicating could injure someone else and that was never my intent. I do need to have medication in the house. I just have greatly limited the amount I have on hand. It is a struggle and I wish you the best.