Reactions - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

NOLAGirl · 06-01-2009, 07:51 PM

I am the daughter of an alcoholic mother who was diagnosed as terminal in March of this year. I noticed in the past, before I knew my mother was terminal, that I experienced a range of emotional reactions when around people that are heavy drinkers or that I suspect are alcoholics. The reactions vary from mild to quite intense. Sometimes I feel sick, nervous, scared, incredibly sad, short-of-breath, and most of all an urgent need to get away, to remove myself from the situation. Often after such an encounter I feel drained emotionally and mentally. I know that when I'm in such a situation, however rare that it is, the person who is drinking triggers very painful memories for me that I find difficult to push aside. I have a good cry and wish I was stronger because I know I need to overcome this. I guess finding out she is terminal has made the pain fresh and I'm still learning how to cope.

Has any other person, with family or friends with addictions, felt these similar emotions, had similar reactions? I feel frustrated with myself sometimes; I know that I need to learn how to seperate the here-and-now from the past. I just am not sure how to go about doing this.

Chamabama · 06-01-2009, 08:10 PM

Certain smells do trigger my PTSD. Have you experimented with any grounding techniques?

***Morning Glory*** · 06-01-2009, 08:21 PM

This thread might help NOLAGirl

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...anagement.html (Emotional Memory Management)

NOLAGirl · 06-04-2009, 09:35 PM

Thank you, the article was a good read and very helpful.

06-01-2009, 07:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
NOLAGirl Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Orleans, LA. Posts: 22	Reactions I am the daughter of an alcoholic mother who was diagnosed as terminal in March of this year. I noticed in the past, before I knew my mother was terminal, that I experienced a range of emotional reactions when around people that are heavy drinkers or that I suspect are alcoholics. The reactions vary from mild to quite intense. Sometimes I feel sick, nervous, scared, incredibly sad, short-of-breath, and most of all an urgent need to get away, to remove myself from the situation. Often after such an encounter I feel drained emotionally and mentally. I know that when I'm in such a situation, however rare that it is, the person who is drinking triggers very painful memories for me that I find difficult to push aside. I have a good cry and wish I was stronger because I know I need to overcome this. I guess finding out she is terminal has made the pain fresh and I'm still learning how to cope. Has any other person, with family or friends with addictions, felt these similar emotions, had similar reactions? I feel frustrated with myself sometimes; I know that I need to learn how to seperate the here-and-now from the past. I just am not sure how to go about doing this.

06-01-2009, 08:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Morning Glory* Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 9,968 Blog Entries: 2	This thread might help NOLAGirl http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...anagement.html (Emotional Memory Management) __________________ “Come to the edge.” “We can't. We're afraid.” “Come to the edge.” “We can't. We will fall!” “Come to the edge.” And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew. Guillaume Apollinaire, 1880-1918

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06-01-2009, 08:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Chamabama Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 373	Certain smells do trigger my PTSD. Have you experimented with any grounding techniques?

06-04-2009, 09:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
NOLAGirl Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Orleans, LA. Posts: 22	Thank you, the article was a good read and very helpful.

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