switching dependencies
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 5
switching dependencies
HI all - so i've been 3 weeks without a drink, it seems to be going ok. Except.... I have developed this odd dependency to an asthma puffer. I don't even have asthma, my wife does. But I have found that if I get a bit anxious, especially before bed time, taking a few puffs has been helping me to put my mind at ease.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a response to not drinking, or a safety behaviour for my anxiety??
Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a response to not drinking, or a safety behaviour for my anxiety??
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: anomaly
Posts: 2,180
yes..we all pretty much do it at first becuase drinking was such a big
part of our lives, Now that we're not drinking we try to replace that
void..Most of us do have obessive, complusive personallity disorders.
That's why recovery is alot more than just stopping the drinking.
Sometimes alcohilsm or alcohol abuse mask..obessive,complusive, disorder.
I don't have to urge to washing my hands every five minutes. But
I do have a bit of the obessive, complusive going...there's a different
between the two...
Howard Hughes had OBD not OCPD
The AA big book is pretty straight forward about it.
We all just act out differently depending on our personalities.
When i first got sober a counselor told me..i was a perfectionist...
It could of fooled me....the way i was living or hitted bottom.
But the longer I stayed sober ...I started notice things...as you're doing.
part of our lives, Now that we're not drinking we try to replace that
void..Most of us do have obessive, complusive personallity disorders.
That's why recovery is alot more than just stopping the drinking.
Sometimes alcohilsm or alcohol abuse mask..obessive,complusive, disorder.
I don't have to urge to washing my hands every five minutes. But
I do have a bit of the obessive, complusive going...there's a different
between the two...
Howard Hughes had OBD not OCPD
The AA big book is pretty straight forward about it.
We all just act out differently depending on our personalities.
When i first got sober a counselor told me..i was a perfectionist...
It could of fooled me....the way i was living or hitted bottom.
But the longer I stayed sober ...I started notice things...as you're doing.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Well.....Check with your doctor please.
I have no idea what is in inhalers.
Well done on your sober time!
This might benefit you
http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/
I have no idea what is in inhalers.
Well done on your sober time!
This might benefit you
http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/
Last edited by CarolD; 05-31-2007 at 03:18 PM. Reason: Added Link
Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cleveland Ohio
Posts: 290
First off... what made you think to do that in the first place? Sorry just had to ask ... I couldn't stop thinking that...
... most likely it is a brochial dialator like albuterol... and I can't imagine it is actually helping with your anxiety... most likely (in my humble non dr. opinion) it is the fact that you take a couple deap breaths... and that you are focused on the affects for a minute or two...
probably enough of a distraction you get past the urge...
...
... most likely it is a brochial dialator like albuterol... and I can't imagine it is actually helping with your anxiety... most likely (in my humble non dr. opinion) it is the fact that you take a couple deap breaths... and that you are focused on the affects for a minute or two...
probably enough of a distraction you get past the urge...
...
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 85
Originally Posted by pjw21 
HI all - so i've been 3 weeks without a drink, it seems to be going ok. Except.... I have developed this odd dependency to an asthma puffer. I don't even have asthma, my wife does. But I have found that if I get a bit anxious, especially before bed time, taking a few puffs has been helping me to put my mind at ease.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a response to not drinking, or a safety behaviour for my anxiety??
Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a response to not drinking, or a safety behaviour for my anxiety??
The go to thing for me since ive gotten sober has been food. That mellows me out.
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Leaving Sparta
Posts: 2,912
Shortly after drinking I realized I had an unusual habit of washing out my mouth with listerine.........10 ,15, 20 times a day.
I am talking about the original full strength listerine and not the watered down versions you can get nowadays.
Needless to say I immediately stopped doing it as soon as I caught myself.
I am talking about the original full strength listerine and not the watered down versions you can get nowadays.
Needless to say I immediately stopped doing it as soon as I caught myself.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by Debaucher
First off... what made you think to do that in the first place? Sorry just had to ask ... I couldn't stop thinking that...
... most likely it is a brochial dialator like albuterol... and I can't imagine it is actually helping with your anxiety... most likely (in my humble non dr. opinion) it is the fact that you take a couple deap breaths... and that you are focused on the affects for a minute or two...
probably enough of a distraction you get past the urge...
...
... most likely it is a brochial dialator like albuterol... and I can't imagine it is actually helping with your anxiety... most likely (in my humble non dr. opinion) it is the fact that you take a couple deap breaths... and that you are focused on the affects for a minute or two...
probably enough of a distraction you get past the urge...
...
Part of my anxiety is tied up with not being able to breathe. The puffer is just salbutamol, you're right in that it picks up the heart rate, which can push up the anxiety, but the bronchodilation lets me take a few deep breaths and think that I am ok.... I don't get a hit from it, just an acknowledgement that everything is alright....
It's just weid how all of this is tied up together. I don't really think the puffer is doing any physical harm (I use it 2-3x/day max). But the fact that I'm using it at times when I have been desperate for a drink has struck me. And then times when I am extremely anxious....
dum vita est spes est
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: vita secundum nex
Posts: 287
http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/157/6/922
What does it mean? Probably nothing, perhaps everything - thought you might be interested though.
PR
What does it mean? Probably nothing, perhaps everything - thought you might be interested though.
PR
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: anomaly
Posts: 2,180
it's just in your head..some people go shoping or over eat.
It call substitution..We all you do it.
Some people go to meetings all the time at first...that's what
I did and certain percentage of people.
The meetings didn't make a lot of sense at first anyways,
but it gave me a sense of comfort for a couple of hours a day.
Becuase when I was drinking and using I was drunk 24 hours a day.
Every sober moment at first felt like i was duck out of water.
Changes stress out a person..even if it's for the better.
kind of like dipping your foot in a bath tub full of hot/warm water at first,
but once you get in...you adjust.
The process dosn't happen in five minute when getting sober...but it's
pretty much the same principle.
It call substitution..We all you do it.
Some people go to meetings all the time at first...that's what
I did and certain percentage of people.
The meetings didn't make a lot of sense at first anyways,
but it gave me a sense of comfort for a couple of hours a day.
Becuase when I was drinking and using I was drunk 24 hours a day.
Every sober moment at first felt like i was duck out of water.
Changes stress out a person..even if it's for the better.
kind of like dipping your foot in a bath tub full of hot/warm water at first,
but once you get in...you adjust.
The process dosn't happen in five minute when getting sober...but it's
pretty much the same principle.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: manchester, uk
Posts: 24
Hi, I have asthma and use a salbutamol inhaler fairly regularly
I have on occasion felt dependent on it (sometimes I find myself taking it when I don't have symptoms or take more than I need when I have minor symptoms) and the doctors have told me in the past that I am overusing these inhalers. I did not realize that it quickened the heart rate and possibly anxiety, next time I go to the doctors I will ask about that.
(if at all) I think it is only very slightly physically addictive although there may well be psychological factors like you say. Although it probably isn't doing you any harm I don't think you should be taking it if you don't have asthma. It maybe worth working through your feelings of anxiety with someone.
Take care
I have on occasion felt dependent on it (sometimes I find myself taking it when I don't have symptoms or take more than I need when I have minor symptoms) and the doctors have told me in the past that I am overusing these inhalers. I did not realize that it quickened the heart rate and possibly anxiety, next time I go to the doctors I will ask about that.
(if at all) I think it is only very slightly physically addictive although there may well be psychological factors like you say. Although it probably isn't doing you any harm I don't think you should be taking it if you don't have asthma. It maybe worth working through your feelings of anxiety with someone.
Take care
Originally Posted by pjw21
Part of my anxiety is tied up with not being able to breathe. The puffer is just salbutamol, you're right in that it picks up the heart rate, which can push up the anxiety, but the bronchodilation lets me take a few deep breaths and think that I am ok.... I don't get a hit from it, just an acknowledgement that everything is alright....
It's just weid how all of this is tied up together. I don't really think the puffer is doing any physical harm (I use it 2-3x/day max). But the fact that I'm using it at times when I have been desperate for a drink has struck me. And then times when I am extremely anxious....
It's just weid how all of this is tied up together. I don't really think the puffer is doing any physical harm (I use it 2-3x/day max). But the fact that I'm using it at times when I have been desperate for a drink has struck me. And then times when I am extremely anxious....
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