eldesperado

Hello everyone, I just had some questions regarding rehab and my alcohol use. Recently I was "assessed" by a chemical dependency specialist... After the assessment this person seemed to think I have a problem with alcohol and that I need at least 30 days of inpatient treatment. I had been referred to this person by my therapist, who told me I could not continue the CBT group I had been in for three months if I was drinking. I listened to their advise and am now scheduled to enter a 30+ day residential treatment program, nervous as hell.

I guess the main reason I'm so worried is because I have bad social anxiety and the thought of being in a strange place with a bunch of strange people for so long (and without any booze!) majorly freaks me out Just wondering what everyone's experience with this kind of treatment has been... Did it really help? Did it really change your outlook on things? And for anyone with social anxiety issues, were you able to feel comfortable?

I've been drinking daily for at least three years now and its pretty out of control I feel so helpless and desperate it makes me sick; lost my job because I had been drinking at work just to ward off any anxiety. No one in my family trusts me anymore... Gained thirty pounds in the past few months... something is going on with my throat... high blood pressure... some physical withdrawals and the list goes on. I drink everyday, usually a fifth of whisky maintaining a little buzz throughout the day and getting good and drunk every night. I NEVER EVER thought I'd end up in this situation, I'm too young. I hate myself for doing this to my family and I hope that I can come out of treatment and stay sober for good.

Dee74

hi and welcome eldesperado

Unfortunately alcoholism is no respecter of youth - I think it's great you're doing something about it while you're still young.

I haven't been to treatment but lots of others here have - they all seemed to live to tell the tale

I hope you'll hear from them soon

KateL

I wish I had found a treatment center when I was younger, but one doctor actually said, "You are just a bit of a wild child" ~ idiot! It was a long time ago though. I am ancient Embrace it. xxxx

karate

The meds normally used in detox are the same used for anxiety .

I bet you will be just fine .

TigerLili

I bet you'll feel a whole lot better and be in a position to learn some coping skills for anxiety. Best of luck with it!

deeker

You'll be the new person for a week and then there will be a newer person. No one feels comfortable at first. It's scary, you are starting a new journey. But it does get easier. Send me a pm me if you would like to know more about inpatient.

karate

I wanted to go , but could not . I think you are lucky

IOAA2

Hi. I expect that a lot of your fears are fear of the unknown, that's why so many of us drank, to escape our feelings. Strangely to me the more we drink the more our fears become because alcohol is a depressant and not the health drink we thought.
I suggest when you go get as much out of it as you can as it can change your whole life by being sober.

BE WELL

DoPerdition

I am only 27 which isn't SUPER young but seems to be lower than the average for people deciding to quit.

I am grateful at 65 days sober that I found the desire to quit this young. I can't imagine putting myself through that hell for another 10, 15, 20 or more years. I might not even have that long if I kept going.

eldesperado

just thought i'd let everyone know that I completed 30 days of inpatient treatment. they made me go to a residential day treatment place now for another two months. I ******* hate it here and I don't need it at all. I just wanna move back home and get a job... I have horrible social anxiety so I find it almost impossible to get out of my room and go to meetings or even meals. my anxiety is literally so bad that I cant even eat... constantly feel horrible about myself, and cant talk to anyone. I feel so ******* trapped and alone that im about to break down.

BSwan09

How do you feel about the initial 30 day treatment? It sounds like the anxieties you're having about the next two months are very similar to the anxieties you had about entering the 30 day inpatient treatment. As you say that "you don't need it" (referring to the 2 month residential day treatment place) I'm guessing the 30 day inpatient treatment helped you quit!

While I don't suffer from social anxiety, I do know from my own experience and those of others that have posted here that bad anxiety can continue well after the first month of sobriety. I'm sure that if you stay with the 2 month treatment, as you continue to be sober the anxiety will slowly lift. I started to feel more normal and much less anxious after the 7th week (just recently). While the social anxiety might not lift entirely once you have been sober for a long time, I am confident the alcohol you've been taking has at least been exacerbating the anxieties you have.

Seeing as how the inpatient treatment seems to have helped, why not stick it out and see if things improve with the 2 month residential treatment? I've read a couple articles saying that perhaps the biggest thing recovering alcoholics can do to help their recovery is to simply go out and interact with people again! I certainly started to confine myself to my apartment with no one to talk to while drinking. I'm no doctor but I'm guessing the social interaction with other people in recovery is at least a part of why they suggested you go.

Check back in and let us know what you're thinking!

hollybear

First of all, congratulations on 30 days! I cant wait until im a month sober! Im sorry you're feeling terrible at residential maybe it will be a good way for you to become more comfortable with your social anxieties...?
I get very anxious myself. I also used booze to calm myself down. What a joke right? It only made it a million times worse.
i hope you can find some serenity where you are!

SoberMama13

Getting help in rehab was the best thing I EVER DID. And I have a panic disorder.... You're going to be ok, I promise.
You go take care of you!!

KateL

Congrats on 30 days and don't be afraid to ask for help with the anxiety. There is lots of it xxxxx

2muchpain

I deal with social anxiety also. I know that the more I stay home by myself, the tougher it is for me to go anywhere. The more I stay home, the greater the chance that I will start drinking, which creates even more anxiety. Sometimes I have to force myself to a meeting or to the gym or even to go shopping. The panic is tough to deal with. If I don't, I will isolate more. The more you around people, the better off you will be. As uncomfortable as you are with the day treatment, it sounds like a good idea, even if you don't want to go.

matrac

You should have a lot of hope. You have a lot of help coming your way. Get sober and then work on your social anxiety. Social anxiety can be successfully treated, but you have to be engaged in therapy which means you need to be sober. You can do it!

eldesperado

Thanks everyone for the kind words and support! I'm just gonna tough it out and hope for the best. Have to deal with these damn cravings though.

BSwan09

Just checking in! How's the treatment going?

ru12

Hang in there buddy. Sit. Breathe. Wait. This too shall pass.

Galactus

I hope you...better yet...I pray you are one of the strong ones...first time is a gift...I wish you all the best. If your drinking daily and as much as you say then you should have earned your "*** it" stripes by now...NOTHING TO LOSE is actually a good thing, go for it man! been there done it...first time...royal! please dont let it go. Youll realise you can do anything you want to do, your dreams and aspirations...if you work for them theres no reason you cant achieve them ...unless you want to make excuses.

All the best my friend. Launch!