Resolved question:
I am a struggling alcoholic. What is best for me? I have had something to drink. Should I drink more or take a sleeping tablet and stop drinking?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Psychiatrist
Hello
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Sleeping pills do not help in de-addiction. They are used during the initial detox phase. When you stop alcohol abruptly, you will have some withdrawal symptoms for 3-7 days and during these phase sleeping pills are judiciously used. There after you will require some anti-craving agents like baclofen or accamprosate or naltrexone. All these reduce the craving for alcohol as well reduce the pleasure effect of alcohol. Another option is disulfiram which can cause severe reaction if taken with alcohol. So ones patient is on disulfiram, he avoids taking alcohol all together.
So coming to your question proper, you should not drink further and also do not start taking sleeping pills on your own. Inform your doctor and discuss the mentioned treatment options and then make an informed decision.
Hope this helps,
In case if you have any further query, do let me know.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy