wishmaster1980

I developed an almost constant brain fog about the same time I started binge drinking 8 years ago. It feels like a pressure feeling in my skull that makes me unable to think clearly or remember even small things. Even my vision is off like I can't focus. I have drank 10 to 12 beers every saturday night in a 3 hour period for almost the whole 8 years. In college I used to drink 19 beers every saturday and sunday night. So I am not as bad as I was. I have quit for 7 weeks total before but went back to drinking due to the brain fog getting really bad. Of course I still had the fog but not as bad. I have quit drinking again and it has been 4 weeks. The brain fog is starting to get bad again to the point where I can't read a single line without forgetting what I just read. Has anyone else had severe brain fog due to drinking and does it go away pretty soon? I pretty much live like a hermit due to the anxiety and brain fog. Maybe I am just to impatient and need to give it more that 7 weeks. ANY comments appreciated. Thanks for reading my post.

Anubis

Personally I haven't really experience any severe brain fog when I have quit for a few weeks in the past, mostly when I have a hangover. I have heard that people do get this sort of brain fog when they quit, but I guess I didn't quit for long enough either.

Maybe the best thing for both of us would be to quit for good..

smacked

Yes, I have.. and went away with long term sobriety.. but obviously 'brain fog' could be a myriad of medical things so make sure you see a doctor to be sure it's alcohol related and something recoverable from. My anxiety went away when I quit drinking, too.

Boleo

PAWS

An acronym for Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. Post-acute withdrawal is a bio-psycho-social syndrome. It results from the combination of damage to the nervous system caused by alcohol or drugs and the psychosocial stress of coping with life without drugs or alcohol. The symptoms of PAW typically grow to peak intensity over three to six months after abstinence begins. The damage is usually reversible, meaning the major symptoms go away in time if proper treatment is received.

TYPES OF PAW SYMPTOMS:
1. Inability to think clearly
2. Memory problems
3. Emotional overreactions or numbness
4. Sleep disturbances
5. Physical coordination problems
6. Stress sensitivity

From:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ery-terms.html

barb dwyer

good information here!


I experienced that 'fog' off and on so badly my first weeks -
I didn't drive my car for fear of not being able to react (or act)
safely.

It *does* go away.

Learning about PAWS ... changed everything for me.

I was the walkin talkin poster child for a while, LOL!

It goes away.

CarolD

It's always wise to see a doctor....I certainly hope you will.
Only a professional can assess what is happening to you.

Congratulations on your early sobriety
Welcome to SR.....

penny74

l had brainfog.
It went away straight after my first drink, only to come back the next day.
When l stopped for a longer period l had it for weeks.It does go away but it takes a long time.
l still have the feeling that l'm not as sharp as l used to be. And that my memory has been affected as well. Hope it gets better after even more time.
Wish you the best.


You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.
William Blake (1757-1827):
Proverbs of Hell

Wolfchild

Give yourself a break
& keep coming back!

SteppingItUp

I can identify with a number of the symptoms you've described after quitting, so you're not alone. I'm also a firm believer in becoming educated about PAWS.

This is one of my favorite sites that describes what PAWS can involve -- and how important abstinence is in allowing it to pass.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) — Why we don’t get better immediately) Digital Dharma