Stoolie1326

I started having panic attacks out of nowhere about 3 months ago. I soon noticed that they were much worse after drinking, and my parents, seeing me in the vulnerable state that I was, gave me the wonderful (and most likely life saving option) of either quitting completely or going to rehab. I view myself as a strong person, but the notion of quitting alcohol for life at the age of 21 was a rather overwhelming thought. I consider myself to be intelligent, and I have great aspirations for the future, but I also loved the 6 years I had been drinking. Needless to say I chose life over booze, and I am now 77 days sober. My one problem is that I still have daily anxiety, I would say 6 days a week the anxiety is very manageable, and the other day it is much worse. I have always been an anxious person, but just knowing that there was always the instant medication (booze) just sitting around waiting for me helped to ease any anxiety that I had. Now that there isn't this Insta-Ease, I find myself feeling sort of hopeless. I understand that the anxiety is all in my head, when I am with friends I find myself much more at ease, yet obviously there are times when my idle mind finds time to drive me nuts. I was just wondering generally how long did it take you to curb your anxiety problem after drinking, and what are some things that help with the anxiety. I've been to a psychologist who recommended mediation, but did a very shoddy job of describing which form of mediation helped. I have also structured my diet, and I exercise daily (lost 15 lbs!!!) Sorry for rambling on, in summation, if you could give me some encouraging examples of fleeting anxiety after the 3 months sober period, or if you have and ways to curb anxiety I would be very thankful for your recommendations. Much love, Stoolie

nandm

Welcome to SR.

It is not uncommon for anxiety to exacerbate in the first several months of sobriety and for some it lasts longer. Our bodies and minds are having to learn how to live without a chemical that they have relied upon for many years. It takes time to learn how to do just simple things like be alone with nothing to do when one stops drinking. We have anxiety because we are having to relearn how to do those basic life things. To get me past that initial sobriety anxiety I had to have a program of recovery. I am not sure how people do it without one. But I am sure someone will be able to share their experience on that soon.

There are things that you can do to help ease your anxiety. Like your doctor said meditation is one thing that can be done. It can be as simple as focused breathing to going into a hypnotic like state. There are many forms of meditation. The simplest forms of meditation involve breathing exercises. I would recommend googling the term and doing a bit of research to find what you feel will work best for you. Exercise, yoga, eating right, getting enough sleep, etc... all these things can benefit anxiety sufferers.

I can not guarantee that your anxiety will go away but hopefully these things will help you out some.

checkmate1

I've been sober now for 4 months. The first 3 months were up and down with anxiety, good days and bad. I have struggled with anxiety and panic for most of my life. I was really struggling a couple years ago and there was nothing left to do but get put on anti-depressants a one that was designed for anxiety as well as depression. To my surprise they worked but I was still drinking but my life became more manageable. When I decided to quit alcohol for good I wasn't sure if the anxiety would get better but it did to my surprise. I'm on a few medications and I think the meds started to work properly when I stopped consuming such large amounts of alcohol. I still have anxiety today 4 months on but it is 10 times better these days than it was when I was drinking and nothing interferes with the meds like the alcohol did. I can get things done now and do what I want. When the anxiety does get bad I use valium very small doses at the moment about 2 5mg tablets a day and my day goes petty well now. I self-medicated my anxiety for years with alcohol and when I found out it was a major fact in my anxiety I was gob-smacked. Doctors and specialists tried to get me into meditation, group therapy, mindfullness, breathing techniques over the years that never worked and in the end I didn't need them anyway. One thing I know works for sure is exercise combined with a good diet will help you out alot. My diet is alot better these days and I try to take walks daily and I have lost 10kg without to much effort. Good luck and continue to abstain from alcohol and hopefully the answers will come to you clearly over time like they did for me.

chicagoJ

I can't comment on anxiety after quitting since my panic attacks started and ended while drinking heavy. But, what seemed to happen is the anxiety/stress built up to such a high level it took some time being away from situations that caused it for my mind to readjust and not anticipate having the panic attacks. Once that happened I stopped having them.

And I admit it wasn't something I did. I mean, I had really no control over whether or not I was going to have a panic attack. Certain situations in the workplace changed and I was able to adjust when that happened. Since then I don't have them anymore.

So, you may want to think long and hard about what is causing your anxiety. What are the triggers. People? Places? Time of day? You can try getting away from those things for a while if possible, or face them head on to try get comfortable with them again. Vitamins, a good diet and exercise may also help.

esyla

man, i have been really feeling this lately. i have had anxiety and panic attacks for years, becoming much worse after drugs - but you know what? i thought it was lessening some now that i'm sober. i was staying super busy with meetings and work and errands and just whatever there was to keep me busy, and the last week and a half, i haven't been doing any of that. maybe i'm more anxious because i'm free to notice it now? maybe i'm more clearheaded so i'm having more of it? i kept being told that the meds i was taking couldn't do their job while i was taking percosets - but now i'm off, so work! lol.. i know there are tons of things that factor in, but i wish i could just get a break.

SportyCalveeno

I have been trying to go sober on and off and now I have just been totally sick of the post drinking feelings that I am literally done for good.

I was a weekend drinker when I started in my teens, then it got to 3-4 times a week then just got out of control. I never got into drugs but just drinking which was bad enough...

After a while anxiety and panic attacks started. I went to the hospitals, doctors, etc and it was always the same.. Anxiety, anxiety, anxiety.. I got to be paranoid and worrisome. I worried about EVERYTHING. A small pain? Cancer! A cough? Emphysema! A cut that took a while to heal? Infected! etc etc.. It got ridiculous..

When I stop drinking, I feel all sorts of weird. Usually my brain feels cloudy for about 2 days and this is only after 2-3 drinks now and I become super anxious, I have to exercise so much just to relax! Before I used to be able to do a 12 pack, no problem, no axiety. It takes about 2 weeks for me to return to somewhat normal feeling (and that is just SOMEWHAT normal) and I become so much less paranoid. Usually around 3-4 weeks, I am less paranoid, stressed, anxious and my panic attacks rarely happen. After two-three months, I begin feeling so much like myself back before I was 17..

So if you stay sober and try to stay away from caffeine too, it'll take about a month, maybe two, depending on how much you drank. Try exercising every other day and increase as time goes on, it may be very difficult at first. If you are tending to sleep a lot, that's actually good, after a couple weeks, you'll snap out of it. Then start changing your diet and drink plenty of fluids! Try to stay away from coffee as if you are like me, it adds to anxiety which is the exact opposite effect you want!

It'll be super painful at first but breaking addictions always are. Just put your mind to it.