I want to change
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 24
I want to change
I’m 31 and have a history of binge drinking. I was having anxiety all day yesterday, so I decided to take a few shots then start drinking beers to take the edge off. Fast forward 10 beers, and another 2 shots to the morning, I have a massive panic attack that brought me to my knees. Broke out into a sweat, hands, ears and tongue go numb and tingle, I feel extremely lightheaded and short of breath.
I tend to turn to alcohol to cope with generalized anxiety, I also take lexapro daily. I’m to the point in my life where my anxiety is taking over my life, which makes me just want to drink.
My wife is being induced in 9 days with our daughter, my job is slow and stressful, and this pandemic is taking my anxiety to a new level. I don’t know how to cope.
I want to stop drinking, it’s done nothing but cause me misery with my anxiety, panic attacks, weight gain, stress on marriage, and many other things.
I’d love to hear from someone on how I can cope with this anxiety and kick alcohol to the curb.
I tend to turn to alcohol to cope with generalized anxiety, I also take lexapro daily. I’m to the point in my life where my anxiety is taking over my life, which makes me just want to drink.
My wife is being induced in 9 days with our daughter, my job is slow and stressful, and this pandemic is taking my anxiety to a new level. I don’t know how to cope.
I want to stop drinking, it’s done nothing but cause me misery with my anxiety, panic attacks, weight gain, stress on marriage, and many other things.
I’d love to hear from someone on how I can cope with this anxiety and kick alcohol to the curb.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,067
Hi Newbeginnings!
For me, alcohol actually caused much of the stress in my life. Getting off alcohol took several days of discomfort, but it was worth it. Don't make things more difficult during this difficult time--get the alcohol out of your life!
For me, alcohol actually caused much of the stress in my life. Getting off alcohol took several days of discomfort, but it was worth it. Don't make things more difficult during this difficult time--get the alcohol out of your life!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 1,327
For me booze was the No. 1 source of my anxiety, though I hated facing up to that fact when it seemed like the solution. I used to have A LOT of anxiety and panic. I don't anymore.
Stay close to here, post often, and try and build some sober time as best you can in these times.
Stay close to here, post often, and try and build some sober time as best you can in these times.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,781
Please be careful mixing alcohol and SSRI's.. Wishing you the best..
This came off a healthcare site..
Finally, when you drink it temporarily spikes your serotonin levels, which is why it can initially make you feel good. That can mean that you experience too much serotonin when alcohol is mixed with SSRIs, which can lead to serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include high blood pressure, agitation, muscle twitching and diarrhea.
Summing Up—What To Know About Alcohol and SSRIs
Can you drink alcohol while on SSRIs or antidepressants? The general recommendation with alcohol and SSRIs is that you shouldn’t combine them. Alcohol and SSRIs together can lead to side effects ranging from drowsiness to impaired thinking.
Also, alcohol can make the underlying symptoms of depression or anxiety worse, so it could seem like your medicine isn’t working when in reality alcohol is making it more difficult to treat your depression or anxiety.
This came off a healthcare site..
Finally, when you drink it temporarily spikes your serotonin levels, which is why it can initially make you feel good. That can mean that you experience too much serotonin when alcohol is mixed with SSRIs, which can lead to serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include high blood pressure, agitation, muscle twitching and diarrhea.
Summing Up—What To Know About Alcohol and SSRIs
Can you drink alcohol while on SSRIs or antidepressants? The general recommendation with alcohol and SSRIs is that you shouldn’t combine them. Alcohol and SSRIs together can lead to side effects ranging from drowsiness to impaired thinking.
Also, alcohol can make the underlying symptoms of depression or anxiety worse, so it could seem like your medicine isn’t working when in reality alcohol is making it more difficult to treat your depression or anxiety.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,238
There are many we hear about, read about who have
died with an autopsy saying there was a mixture of
alcohol and drugs in their system. Right?
Drugs, meds, and alcohol don't mix well together. As
we have heard countless times, it is a toxic and many
times a deadly combination.
There are many helpful recovery program available to
all to help folks learn and remain sober a day at a time.
Using your physicians is also available to help improve
our health as we go thru life. We use them by being completely
honest with them about our addictions and recovery so
they can treat us properly and live a healthy quality of life
moving forward.
Sending care, support and understanding your way.
died with an autopsy saying there was a mixture of
alcohol and drugs in their system. Right?
Drugs, meds, and alcohol don't mix well together. As
we have heard countless times, it is a toxic and many
times a deadly combination.
There are many helpful recovery program available to
all to help folks learn and remain sober a day at a time.
Using your physicians is also available to help improve
our health as we go thru life. We use them by being completely
honest with them about our addictions and recovery so
they can treat us properly and live a healthy quality of life
moving forward.
Sending care, support and understanding your way.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Dublin, Ireland.
Posts: 739
9 days is ample time to get over the alcohol you've had. You can also start to manage your anxiety in such a time too.
Booze always makes me more anxious.
But I tell you, that first time you beat a bout of anxiety without drinking is a great feeling.
I always recommend CBT to people who worry about anxiety.
Wishing you well.
Booze always makes me more anxious.
But I tell you, that first time you beat a bout of anxiety without drinking is a great feeling.
I always recommend CBT to people who worry about anxiety.
Wishing you well.
sober style
Join Date: May 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,387
The book 10% Happier by Dan Harris helped me a lot with my anxiety issues. It advocates a very basic meditation method that anyone can do, even fidgety skeptics. (That was the title of the sequel btw lol, true story.)
It goes without saying that alcohol itself is a huge anxiety engine. Sobriety takes skillful work, attention, and lots of practice. Keep at it, keep working out the kinks. These really are life or death matters.
It goes without saying that alcohol itself is a huge anxiety engine. Sobriety takes skillful work, attention, and lots of practice. Keep at it, keep working out the kinks. These really are life or death matters.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by RecklessEric 
9 days is ample time to get over the alcohol you've had. You can also start to manage your anxiety in such a time too.
Booze always makes me more anxious.
But I tell you, that first time you beat a bout of anxiety without drinking is a great feeling.
I always recommend CBT to people who worry about anxiety.
Wishing you well.
Booze always makes me more anxious.
But I tell you, that first time you beat a bout of anxiety without drinking is a great feeling.
I always recommend CBT to people who worry about anxiety.
Wishing you well.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Medina, OH
Posts: 20
Just remember this - alcoholism is always, always, always progressive. It will get worse in time if you are indeed alcoholic or are actively developing alcoholism - the episodes will grow longer, the time you pickup earlier, the amount you drink daily greater. If you lick it now you're going to have a much easier time of it than after another 5, 10 or 15 years of holding onto it. Keep exploring sobriety and take it one day at a time. Get some local support if you can. Best to you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by WhySoSirius
Just remember this - alcoholism is always, always, always progressive. It will get worse in time if you are indeed alcoholic or are actively developing alcoholism - the episodes will grow longer, the time you pickup earlier, the amount you drink daily greater. If you lick it now you're going to have a much easier time of it than after another 5, 10 or 15 years of holding onto it. Keep exploring sobriety and take it one day at a time. Get some local support if you can. Best to you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 24
Originally Posted by Dee74
Hey NB
are you open to the idea of online meetings - AA or SMART etc ? I'd be throwing everything I had at this, including regular posts here - your family needs a sober Dad and husband
D
are you open to the idea of online meetings - AA or SMART etc ? I'd be throwing everything I had at this, including regular posts here - your family needs a sober Dad and husband
D
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 5,095
I have anxiety too....most addicts do. Alcohol worked to ease my anxiety....about a million years ago. Then it becomes the source of the anxiety. Rebound anxiety once the body becomes dependent....and it is far worse than the anxiety I was medicating many years ago.
Sounds to me like that is where you are. So detoxing off the alcohol is the first step. And yes, your anxiety will be crazy. If you can get some medical help, in the form of meds from your dr, that is ideal. But drinking on these meds is very dangerous so be committed. Tapering off alcohol is another approach....but honestly a tough one. Just talk to your dr, ok?
Coping mechanisms for anxiety. That is key. And believe me there are far better lifestyle choices than alcohol that will make your anxiety bearable. Exercise, clean diet, sleep (and lots of it). Therapy. Getting outside exercise. All sounds really difficult, much more effort than taking a drink. But drinking doesn't work. It never will.
Accepting that fact is the first step.
Sounds to me like that is where you are. So detoxing off the alcohol is the first step. And yes, your anxiety will be crazy. If you can get some medical help, in the form of meds from your dr, that is ideal. But drinking on these meds is very dangerous so be committed. Tapering off alcohol is another approach....but honestly a tough one. Just talk to your dr, ok?
Coping mechanisms for anxiety. That is key. And believe me there are far better lifestyle choices than alcohol that will make your anxiety bearable. Exercise, clean diet, sleep (and lots of it). Therapy. Getting outside exercise. All sounds really difficult, much more effort than taking a drink. But drinking doesn't work. It never will.
Accepting that fact is the first step.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Tn
Posts: 3,043
Glad you’re here.
When I was 31, I had horrible depression, anxiety (GAD) and alcoholism.
Okay, to be rigorously honest, I was addicted to Benzodiazepines also.
And, of course, a miserable wreck.
So, I asked for help with my drinking by going to a couple of addiction doctors (why did I really think I needed a second opinion?) and entering into treatment for 35 days.
This was in the rather embryonic stages of the development of antidepressant meds.
I got out and have been working the AA program ever since.
That was back in 1988.
I ultimately sought the help of a very eminent psychiatrist (21 years ago) and he was able to successfully treat my anxiety and depression.
I recommend you consider the path I followed.
Please stick around here and keep us posted.
All the best with your wife and child.
When I was 31, I had horrible depression, anxiety (GAD) and alcoholism.
Okay, to be rigorously honest, I was addicted to Benzodiazepines also.
And, of course, a miserable wreck.
So, I asked for help with my drinking by going to a couple of addiction doctors (why did I really think I needed a second opinion?) and entering into treatment for 35 days.
This was in the rather embryonic stages of the development of antidepressant meds.
I got out and have been working the AA program ever since.
That was back in 1988.
I ultimately sought the help of a very eminent psychiatrist (21 years ago) and he was able to successfully treat my anxiety and depression.
I recommend you consider the path I followed.
Please stick around here and keep us posted.
All the best with your wife and child.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
