AnxiousAspie

Did you get depressed when you stopped drinking, and if so how long did it last?
I am 20 days sober and depression and intense mood swings have hit me hard. I have a history of depression but have never, ever experienced depression this intense.
Some days are stable and some days really bad.
When it's bad I can't stop crying intensely for hours, and I feel totally hopeless, lonely vulnerable, and trapped due to my severe anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia aswell.
How long did your depression last?
When did you notice it was starting to get slightly better?

Dave H

There are many side effects that go hand-in-hand with withdraw and detox. And it could last for months. My first 4 months was very tough and I had many side effects including depression, anxiety, mood swings and others. But I was bound and determined to get through it! I was going to be free of the demon of alcoholism once and for all. Things started getting better about month number 5. I have 268 days today. That's almost 9 months and I am healthy and strong again and having a blast in sobriety. So, hang it there, it's worth it.

Olive1

Hi AnxiousAspie,

Alcohol was my very, very best friend for the longest time. When I finally gave it up, it was as though my best friend had died. So, yes, I was extremely depressed for quite a while after I quit. I think I probably went through all the stages of grief.
It eventually got better for me. It took a few months and a lot of deep breaths, but the sadness finally lifted.