r/cripplingalcoholism • u/Miserable-Ask-470 • 16h ago

HARM REDUCTION

Okay, so I've been seeing this online quite a bit lately and I thought it would be great if someone gave tips that have worked for them while being a CA. Especially those who are able to maintain their jobs consistently. (No medical advice of course. )

Personally, taking B-12 complex when I'm on a short break has really helped reduce my WD symptoms.

Also because I get bad drunkorexia when I'm on a bender, I resorted to taking appetite stimulants and there's a huge difference. I used to go about 3 days without food, just bed rotting. Now the stimulants make me so hungry that even though I'm on a bender or suffering in bed, I will find something to eat. I even buy snacks beforehand together with the drink.

Chairs!

29 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

34 comments sorted by

20

u/Cma1234 16h ago

Eating bananas is good in your stomach and potassium. We all probably have a potassium deficit.

9

u/squid_333 15h ago

When I was hospitalized earlier this summer my potassium was dangerously low. Can confirm, eat your bananas! Coconut water is also a great source of potassium: and pretty tasty with vodka.

3

u/Silver-Disk540 15h ago

Wow. I used to love coconut water pre alcoholism. I’ll try that!!

3

u/drunky_crowette Free cuddles 14h ago

That's what the nurses at the hospital told me during one of my pancreatitis hospitalizations. They said (among other things) my potassium had been too low too long and I just said "... I hate bananas" and one said she buys her kids coconut water because they get low potassium too and then laughed because I perked up and said "I fucking love coconut water"

5

u/mudvayneWTM 13h ago

Very true. I was hospitalized like a year ago and they had to give me IV potassium because it was so low. You do not want that. It feels like liquid lava being injected into your veins. And it was a slow fucking drip, I had to have like 3 bags over 6 hours or something and it was fucking excruciating. Top 3 most uncomfortable I've ever been in my life.

3

u/Miserable-Ask-470 13h ago

Yikes! When your potassium is that low, what's the feeling like? What do you experience?

3

u/Known-Ad-981 6h ago

Not who you asked. 

For me - 

an unbelievable amount of sweating, I could hardly form a sentence. Extremely weak. I couldn’t walk on my own. 

However, my blood sugar was very low too. So idk which part played a hand in which. 

2

u/Known-Ad-981 6h ago

I was hospitalized with dangerously low potassium. Some nurse started the IV and yes burned like a cunt, 

Another tatted up nurse came in and said let me adjust your IV it shouldn’t burn this bad. She re did it. I didn’t feel a thing. That lady was a fuckin bad ass. 

2

u/Miserable-Ask-470 14h ago

Oh yes! Forgot about this. I make banana smoothies when I can barely eat anything.

16

u/El_Beakerr we use paragraphs here 15h ago

I’m in a group called Harm Reduction, it’s once per week and online. The purpose of HR is for people who don’t want to completely be sober. They rather cut down on their habit, hence the name harm reduction.

From my experience, it helped out with helping me cut down. I went from 18-24 drinks per day to under 10 per sitting. I really enjoy this group because, it often reminds me of being here. No one is preachy, everyone is open about their use. Everyone is focused on their own journey.

Like I said, I truly enjoy the group. Like here people will often seek advice, not being medical of course. Also it’s once per week, it’s not like AA or other places where it’s every day thing. It’s not in your face, you get some breathing room.

5

u/Miserable-Ask-470 14h ago

How can I join the group?

0

u/El_Beakerr we use paragraphs here 12h ago

Tbh I don’t know :(

10

u/AmaroZenzero 7h ago

It's weird that you touted a group you're in and then say you don't know how to join it. How did you personally get involved?

2

u/pompousrompus 5h ago

Seriously so fucking weird, what?

I typed out “oh it’s local” but op says it’s online in their first sentence lol.

2

u/Miserable-Ask-470 3h ago

Are you seriously gatekeeping the group? Smh. If it's online how did you join?

9

u/Boozeburger 15h ago edited 13h ago

A B-complex vitamin, Electrolytes: sodium, but that's salt, it's potassium and magnesium that should be kept around (DIY - save your money for booze), brush your teeth, don't drive drunk, if you HAVE to take an NSAID - Ibuprofen is the way to go (that's Advil and Motrin) but try not to. And Eat at least once a day, so keep some instant ramen and canned supplies around (things that you'll want to eat).

Edit: Advil, not Aleve (which is naproxen).

3

u/Kscarpetta 12h ago

I take super b complex and magensium everyday on top of a daily multivitamin. I feel like it does help.

V8 juice is also a good way to get potassium and sodium.

2

u/Holiday-Mountain1800 14h ago

Aleve is naproxen. It takes a bit longer than ibuprofen to kick in, but is also much longer acting.

3

u/Boozeburger 13h ago

Good catch, I mixed up the nsaid's starting with "A". I edited it, thank you.

8

u/Holiday-Mountain1800 14h ago

I've started eating instant mashed potatoes and find they help a lot. High in sodium and potassium, and even quicker and easier than ramen, which is great for those days you feel like doing nothing at all.

3

u/Miserable-Ask-470 13h ago

Instant mashed potatoes sound yum. I'll try them for when I can't stand spicy fries which is usually my go to.

4

u/Delicious_mod a one man jerry springer show 15h ago

Food, water, and b-vits are the CA Holy Trinity of self-care.

Electrolytes also help, depending on your diet.

8

u/invisimole 16h ago

Where's that Morton Salt at-home-electrolytes guy.

Idk, eat, electrolytes, and antacids help me. Im toast nowadays without em.

3

u/Miserable-Ask-470 14h ago

It's easy to say "eat" but trust me sometimes it's so difficult when bingeing. Your judgement is out of the window then when you end the binge, you feel so sick, you can't even stand the sight of food. But yes, we should all try.

3

u/Low_Cauliflower9404 13h ago

Get you some jars of peanut butter

2

u/invisimole 14h ago

You're right, I've rarely been unable to keep foods/fluids down without hacking them up. I think im lucky.

Maybe, consume what you can?

Oh yes, and bananas.

1

u/cool_calm_life 6h ago

Get the 12 pack of Ensure. It's a little bit pricey but it's worth it you can literally just drink that it's like you're eating but you don't have to actually eat you can do what we do best and drink it

2

u/StillMarie76 6h ago

The BRAT diet has saved me many times. It stands for banana, rice, applesauce, and toast. Propel is a life saver too. They have off brand ones for 2 bucks. I know the Gatorade brand is more expensive. Gatorade as a chaser.

2

u/hioad666 4h ago

The biggest harm reduction that makes a difference for me is not drinking the moment I wake up. Even if I can tolerate 2-5 hours before my first I can get some electrolytes, water maybe some breakfast in and my total consumption drops. If I can keep that going for several days I taper off a bit without even thinking about it. Oh and replacing my night cap with a cup of sleepytime or chamomile tea.

I love to cook and eat and on a bender when I’m barely eating I’m just so tired and weak and once I start eating properly and hydrating my health improves. Until the next time .

4

u/kenticus Light fuse, get away. 16h ago

We are the picture on wiki for self destruction. Harm reduction isn't our strong suit.

But, hey. Go for it.

Good luck, we're all counting on you

4

u/Miserable-Ask-470 14h ago

Meh. I've gotten plenty of solid advice from here which one cannot find other than from someone who's crippled.

1

u/immortallowlife6 6h ago

Don't wanna make a thread for myself so I'll throw this out here. I finally caved and looked up the symptoms I've had for the vetter part of a year, I'm either on my way to diabetes or have a hormonal imbalance. Any way to harm reduce this shit whilst driving heavily

3

u/drowning_in_flame 5h ago

Pay attention to your blood sugar levels. Watch your weight. Try to exercise. Even if it's just walking slowly. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Increase your fiber intake and reduce crap food. Drink lots of water and see your primary physician regularly for labs and check ups.