Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Anyone Had To Deal With Alcoholism?

Dixiebell

Recommended Posts

Dixiebell Contributor
Dixiebell
Posted

My husband came to me today and said he wants to stop drinking and asked if I know of anything to help him sleep. He says he can't sleep unless he has 'many' beers. He has also been off of dip for three months. He has been using nicotine lozenges to help with that and is able to go many hours without one now. This is all good news for me.

Do any of you know of suppliments that can aid him with this? If you have quit drinking, how did you go about it?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

My husband came to me today and said he wants to stop drinking and asked if I know of anything to help him sleep. He says he can't sleep unless he has 'many' beers. He has also been off of dip for three months. He has been using nicotine lozenges to help with that and is able to go many hours without one now. This is all good news for me.

Do any of you know of suppliments that can aid him with this? If you have quit drinking, how did you go about it?

I highly commend your husband for recognizing he has a problem yet wants to take the steps to stop. It's not easy but he can do this. He may not want to hear this but I would highly recommend he seek help with it from a doctor specializing in alcohol related recovery. Whether you drink a lot or enough that you cannot sleep without many beers is something that needs professional help. They can make recovery a lot easier and can supplement him with what he needs to help make him comfortable while he is getting used to not having alcohol as a sleep aid. I am highly experienced with alcohol dependency from having family members with serious drinking issues. Not saying your hubby is that bad but if he cannot sleep without drinking, he has a problem with it at some level.

Good luck to him and you. He won't regret ditching the booze but it can be hard getting there. Tell him not to be afraid to ask for help.

AerinA Rookie
AerinA
Posted

I agree that he should see a doctor. Over time, the body develops a dependance. I don't know how long / how much he has been drinking, but in some cases it is dangerous to detox at home--he should definitely get a medical opinion (even if it is determined "safe" for him to detox, you should be made aware of what to expect as far as withdrawal symptoms). Both of you should seek support, such as AA meetings and/or counseling. Alcoholism can affect more than just the people who drink, both in terms of emotional impact, and the way to deal with the recovery and the changes in lifestyle, as well as relapse (if it happens).

About the sleep, you could ask his doctor about melatonin (a natural hormone that helps you feel sleepy,) or something like Simply Sleep, which has the same active ingredients as Benadryl (but is cheaper--haha.) I would be very wary of prescription sleep aids, at least for now, since while trying to kick one addiction, it is very easy to become dependent on something else.

Good luck to you both, I hope things get better, and congratulations to him for deciding to take this step.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

I also would recommend that he seek a medical doctor's advise. There are now some aides, which could make the transition easier.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I also am going to advise that he talk to his doctor. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to have him get checked for celiac while he is there. I know this sounds strange but although I haven't seen either in a long time both my father and my brother are likely celiac and both are addicted to beer. When I was first diagnosed my brother tried to go gluten free as he has many of the same symptoms I do but he just couldn't switch from beer to wine. With beer for celiacs it is a double addiction, one to alcohol and one to the gluten in the beer.

hockeymomofceliacchild Rookie
hockeymomofceliacchild
Posted

I also am going to advise that he talk to his doctor. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to have him get checked for celiac while he is there. I know this sounds strange but although I haven't seen either in a long time both my father and my brother are likely celiac and both are addicted to beer. When I was first diagnosed my brother tried to go gluten free as he has many of the same symptoms I do but he just couldn't switch from beer to wine. With beer for celiacs it is a double addiction, one to alcohol and one to the gluten in the beer.

Very interesting, my dad is an alcholic or should I say recovering alcholic I never dreamed he could do it. my brother and my son both have celiac and I think my dad is contemplating getting checked too he says he has always had similar issues as my son when he was younger. We are all getting checked it would be interesting if my mom or dad have it.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Very interesting, my dad is an alcholic or should I say recovering alcholic I never dreamed he could do it. my brother and my son both have celiac and I think my dad is contemplating getting checked too he says he has always had similar issues as my son when he was younger. We are all getting checked it would be interesting if my mom or dad have it.

Alcoholic dependency can be a serious factor. And it can be misdiagnosed as consistent with Celiac Disease. Both can destroy the villi. Both can develop full malnutrition.

It's easy to confuse both. The advanced level of both would be similar. Advanced testing would be recommended.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


hockeymomofceliacchild Rookie
hockeymomofceliacchild
Posted

Alcoholic dependency can be a serious factor. And it can be misdiagnosed as consistent with Celiac Disease. Both can destroy the villi. Both can develop full malnutrition.

It's easy to confuse both. The advanced level of both would be similar. Advanced testing would be recommended.

So are you saying because he drank for so many years he could have the testing done for celiac and have a false positive? When you say advanced testing what does that intail? My brother only had a skin biopsy because he has DH. My son had a blood test and they tested three different antibodies his results were 80's/90's/ and over 100. Then he had a scope done to determine for sure if he had it. (He also has a rash which I say is DH but dermatoligist says is just echema...but don't let me get started on him! lol)

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Alcoholic dependency can be a serious factor. And it can be misdiagnosed as consistent with Celiac Disease. Both can destroy the villi. Both can develop full malnutrition.

It's easy to confuse both. The advanced level of both would be similar. Advanced testing would be recommended.

that's all I'm sayin' :) No need to read too much into it. ;)

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

So are you saying because he drank for so many years he could have the testing done for celiac and have a false positive? When you say advanced testing what does that intail? My brother only had a skin biopsy because he has DH. My son had a blood test and they tested three different antibodies his results were 80's/90's/ and over 100. Then he had a scope done to determine for sure if he had it. (He also has a rash which I say is DH but dermatoligist says is just echema...but don't let me get started on him! lol)

I doubt it especially if there are other members of the family that have celiac. I believe the mechanism for malnutrition with alcoholism is different. Being an alcoholic will not cause the antigliadin antibodies although both could cause similiar malabsorption problems. What I meant is that because celiacs can have an addictive effect with gluten the addiction can be a double whammy if the alcoholics drink of choice is a gluten derived beverage.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

If your husband has been drinking heavily he most certainly should not just quit cold without the help of something like Ativan, either at home or in a detox facility. This would require a prescription. Detoxing without chemical help can lead to convulsions or seizures. At best, it's just downright unpleasant.

As for a sleep aid, one problem is that if your husband is alcoholic, typical sleep aids are generally a bad idea because of possible addiction. However, there's an anti-depressant called Trazodone that is non-addictive AND helps you fall asleep. The trick is that you MUST lie down and try to fall asleep as soon as you take it because it's ineffective after 15 minutes has passed. This would also require a prescription.

richard

hockeymomofceliacchild Rookie
hockeymomofceliacchild
Posted

I doubt it especially if there are other members of the family that have celiac. I believe the mechanism for malnutrition with alcoholism is different. Being an alcoholic will not cause the antigliadin antibodies although both could cause similiar malabsorption problems. What I meant is that because celiacs can have an addictive effect with gluten the addiction can be a double whammy if the alcoholics drink of choice is a gluten derived beverage.

LOL Thanks, I actually understood your post but I was confused by Lisas reply to my post I think being on here when I am dead tired could be a factor in this case. lol I didn't read anything into her comment I just didn't understand anything in her comment! LOL Mommy brain and lack of sleep I guess. ;)

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

LOL Thanks, I actually understood your post but I was confused by Lisas reply to my post I think being on here when I am dead tired could be a factor in this case. lol I didn't read anything into her comment I just didn't understand anything in her comment! LOL Mommy brain and lack of sleep I guess. ;)

My apology for any confusion. :) I often confuse myself ;)

hockeymomofceliacchild Rookie
hockeymomofceliacchild
Posted

My apology for any confusion. :) I often confuse myself ;)

lol that was me with the mommy brain, not meaning you :) lol No problem, sometimes all this technical jargin just goes way over my head, :blink:

bridgeofsighs Apprentice
bridgeofsighs
Posted

I had a strong mental addiction to alcohol (beer) for a few years. I believe it had a lot to do with Celiac disease because my thirst for alcohol has diminished greatly upon going gluten-free. I currently only drink distilled clear liquor, gluten-free beer, and wine in moderation, with no desire to binge anymore.(however, i do still enjoy drinking on occasion)

I'm not saying that alcoholism and Celiac always go hand in hand, but in my case, i know they did. It makes me wonder, how many other alcoholics could overcome their addiction with a gluten-free diet?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,842
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Gabcar14
    Newest Member
    Gabcar14
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • HilaryM
      New onset constant gas

      By HilaryM · Posted

      Thank you Scott - I can’t think of much that’s changed diet wise but I’ll definitely try to see if any of this works and probiotics are a great idea thank you!
    • cristiana
      4 Years and very little progress

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hello there @maylynn  I'm a slow healer from the UK.  I sympathise.  Despite three endoscopies which showed nothing wrong, I frequently suffered from a very sore stomach, bloating, feeling queasy.   For some time I was taking the wrong iron supplement (Floradix instead of Floravital - the former has gluten in it, but the latter none).  But I would say even very little iron from an approved source made my stomach sore, I think it can be quite irritating. Perhaps that is an issue for you? Oats (the gluten-free pure ones) were an issue for many years (now fine).   Even though my endoscopy findings did not reflect any problems with healing, or any other issues, I self-diagnosed myself with gastritis as it seemed the feeling of nausea and in my case burning in the stomach pointed to it.  I went onto a gastritis/reflux diet and that really helped.   Have a google - there are tonnes online.  That meant avoiding spicy, greasy food, onions, tomatoes, coffee and alcohol.  (Actually, I don't drink, but I did toast someone during that time at a baptism and it set my stomach on fire.)   Instead of drinking strong coffee, I drank water, camomile tea, warm ginger water... so soothing.  I would not go to bed with a full stomach when things were bad, I would let my stomach rest from say 8pm to 8am, which really helped.   My husband and I then decided to buy a new oven and to buy a new dishwasher - we did need new ones anyway.  The new oven had two compartments, gluten goes in one, gluten free in the other.  The new dishwasher was a Miele which does a full rinse with clean water before washing the dishes.  But before I could afford a new dishwasher I would hand wash the dishes and make sure they were really rinsed well, no residue  (unlike our old dishwasher that was really not rinsing well at all). I stopped eating out for quite a few years - I think this is a biggy - although I would have coffee and soft drinks out. Eventually, my levels normalised.  What of the above was the 'silver bullet'?  I am not sure, but finally I did feel a lot better.  Occasionally I will take an over the counter PPI (omeprazole) or a small dose of Gaviscon, but most of the time I don't need them now. I'm not expecting anyone to go to all these lengths, but it could be that one or two of the tips I give you might work.  Don't give up hope! Cristiana
    • RMJ
      High IGA antigliadin, everything else normal, what does this mean?

      By RMJ · Posted

      Yes, it would make sense to go mostly gluten free, since it gives your troubles.
    • SMK7
      High IGA antigliadin, everything else normal, what does this mean?

      By SMK7 · Posted

      Yes, I made an effort to eat extra gluten at least 3 weeks before the endoscopy. I probably ate a some amount in the weeks before that. I had diarrhea, which resolved once I cut back after the endoscopy. So I think it would make sense to go mostly gluten free?  
    • RMJ
      High IGA antigliadin, everything else normal, what does this mean?

      By RMJ · Posted

      Yay for the normal biopsy! Thanks for the follow up. Were you eating gluten prior to the endoscopy?
×
×
  • Create New...