ArtFriend

My anxiety seemed to increase when I was drinking which puzzled me since it is a central nervous system depressant.

????

LBrain

yes

SoberLeigh

Eases anxiety for a moment, then increases it exponentially in the days and weeks following.

Thepatman

Yep

Indeed it's a nervous system depressant, but when the effects dissipate, the said nervous system goes a-wire, resulting in the anxiety.

ArtFriend

I've had some severe anxiety since quitting on Thanksgiving. Worse than when I was drinking. Confused.

anattaboy

Sorry to hear that AF. Mine is usually self imposed--never really get the panic attacks. Maybe a trip to the doc? Best wishes.

Donnylutz

I think when we quit drinking our brains have to re-adjust, which can result in anxiety.

I have had anxiety issues since I was a kid and it's really what led to my drinking. For me, the act of drinking made my anxiety completely disappear, but when I'd wake up after passing out it would be 15X worse then it usually is. Which would sometimes lead me to drink again.......ughh

SoberLeigh

We do so much damage to our bodies, minds and emotions when drinking; only when we completely abstain can our systems begin to heal and recover.

My anxiety hung around for quite some time before normalizing.

Overwhelming anxiety, if it persists, should be addressed with your doctor.

Plure

Hey there ArtFriend, yes I agree with what others have said here...it initially calms anxiety but then makes it worse in the longrun. I'm dealing with that now, almost 70 days from quitting.

ArtFriend

Yes...it's self perpetuating cycle isn't it?

Gotta find a new way to deal with the uncomfortable anxiety and hope it dissipates over time. Exercise perhaps?

SarahB60

My anxiety and panic attacks were 100x worse the morning after drinking. I was popping xanax by day and drinking my night to keep my anxiety under control. Now I'm 20 days sober - are my anxiety and panic attacks gone? No, but it's not so sharp. I no longer feel like my CNS is on high alert. I'm happy to rid myself of the alcohol since I was in a tailspin towards the end - racing heart, nervous x10, jacked BP, etc. I simply don't miss the after effects of alcohol.

ArtFriend

Thanks Plure... your avatar looks the way I feel

SoberLeigh

Stark contrast from my 'image' of you.

Findingtheway

Mine got so much worse when i stopped...RACING Mind...That would not relax.

I think my body/mind got so used to the numbing effect of alcohol...That when it was pulled away...My whole system went Haywire.

I knew i wasn't dying...But my mind sure as hell thought i was.

*Shudders*...never again.

ArtFriend

well....my feet aren't THAT big!

Joe Nerv

Alcohol is a big fat ugly and excellent liar. It completely convinced me it was the ultimate solution for my anxiety, while it insidiously and slowly turned that anxiety into full blown panic, which then became full blown agoraphobia. I had no clue it was doing that until I was free from alcohol, and wasn't really convinced until I was over a year drink free. Knowing now what the REAL and lasting effect of alcohol is, has been an excellent deterrent for me.

Anna

And, I bet your hair is nicer, too.

The anxiety thing is such a trap. I began drinking to deal with anxiety. For a few weeks it seemed to do the trick, and then, not so much. When I stopped drinking, my anxiety level was through the roof. The good news is that it will ease up, and you will find healthy ways to deal with the anxiety. Music, reading, going for a walk, my cats - those are things that help me.

least

I drank to alleviate anxiety but when I sobered up it was 100 times worse. It wasn't til I'd been sober a while that it decreased markedly. Now it's manageable with meds (not benzos).

CAPTAINZING2000

My anxiety increased due to waking up in drunk tanks

Soberwolf

I know at the end of my drinking days that i was having full blown panic attacks gasping for air feeling like i couldnt breathe

I was still having panic attacks for the first couple weeks of sobriety