patricia68

I have been drinking on and off for the past two weeks.

I drank to calm myself down. The anxiety of the past weeks was out of control.

I am seeing a counselor tomorrow.

But I need to stay sober to see her. I need to stay sober today.

Please help me...

Patricia

Lovesunrises

Hang in there Patricia. Try to keep busy, drink lots of water, have something healthy to eat, stay on SR. That's what I am doing today. We can do this!

Niamh

Patricia, I am with you. I was right where you are about a month ago. I suffer from extreme anxiety before I ever drank, and drinking was my bad solution. I can tell you it does get easier. I am glad you are seeing someone to talk to. Hang in there and stay sober. One day at a time you can do it.

SoberLeigh

We are with you, Patricia.

Pour out whatever is left in your home.

Start drinking plenty of water; have small, light meals.

Have warm baths. Practice slow and deep breathing.

Thepatman

A counselor sounds like a great idea. Ask him for guidance in dealing with stress.

Be kind to yourself and be patient. Rooting for you!!

Della1968

Stay strong...I too drank because of anxiety ignoring the fact it made the anxiety 1000 times worse.

sleepie

Hi Patricia! So glad you are seeing a counselor. Some good advice here. I also suffer serious anxiety. So many of us do.

I replace beer with a lot of other liquids. La croix, Diet Sodas. Iced coffee.

I watch a ton of light comedies, read easy, fun books and comics, Just nothing heavy and keep my mind off things.

You can do this.

patricia68

Thank you for the great advice.

The nights are really bad right now. I only sleep an hour at a time. I wake up sweating, in panic, heart pounding, and my skin feels like burning.

And after a poor night of sleep, the mornings are just unbearable. The anxiety is so bad I can barely function. So I drink...

Someone once told me that drinking to control the anxiety is like pouring gasoline on fire trying to put it out...I shoulda listened to his advice.

Anna

Patricia, don't blame yourself for falling into the trap. Anxiety is horrible, and many of us, me included, turn to alcohol to self-medicate. I had no idea how slippery that slope was. Be kind to yourself today. You're doing the right thing by seeing a counsellor tomorrow. Let us know how it goes.

hope22

Hang in there Patricia, the anxiety trap kept me drinking for a long time too. As Anna mentioned its a vicious cycle. Chamomile tea helps

patricia68

It's not gonna happen today. I reset the counter so many times I think I broke it.
But I still have hope.
Hope is what's keeps me going. It's what's keeps me from giving up like Robin Williams.
Hope is all I have.
Tomorrow will be a better day.....right?

PurpleKnight

You can do this Patricia, you just need to keep it simple and work on 1 day at a time!!

That's all any of us have and then we get a new day!!

livingnow

Dont worry about any "counter".
As Purple Knight has said...One day, hour, minute at a time.....
No one here who quit either had it easy OR thought far into the future...
you CAN do this --I can see the fight in you!

Gardennerd

I've found a lot of people don't get AAand don't understand how many people relapse. I don't think anyone decides to drink super heavily. I know I said I'm just going to be moderate. That lasted 1 day and I was drinking at lunch to cure the hang over. I think a lot of people think you failed if you relapse, I've come to realize relapse is not an option for me, there is no moderation in my drinking, even if there is, it's forced and not natural if I do stop at 2 drinks. But the initial intention was to just drink moderately.

patricia68

I couldn't make it today.
All I can do is to try again tomorrow.

I didn't drink excessively though. I even bought a bottle of wine and hid it in the garage. I am terrified of the middle of the night panic attacks. I don't want to open it though. I don't want to drink it.

I can deal with the physical withdrawals but this anxiety and panic...I really don't know how to cope with them. I am terrified of the most trivial problems, my skin feels like it's burning and I can barely sleep.

I miss being sober.

Dee74

Why don't you join the Class of February thread Patricia?
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ry-2015-a.html

D

patricia68

Thank you Dee. I am reading the thread right now, but I don't think I can post anything yet. I feel like a failure right now.

Dee74

It's a support thread. You need support
By posting you might convince other people at the same point you are to post too

D

ScottFromWI

The anxiety and panic are actually part of the physical withdrawals. I was in the same situation as you last time I quit...I was drinking each day simply to hold off the anxiety. Unfortunately for me I eventually started having the anxiety and panic even after I drank.

The only way out is to remove the alcohol completely. And the withdrals will come...there is no way to avoid them. Perhaps you could consider a medical detox or at least see if your coubselor would be able to help in those respects? Always remember though that withdrawal end...and it will get better.

patricia68

Thank you so much Scott. Right now I feel like I am going crazy. I'm having anxiety over dinner...this is just insane...Just trying to make it through the night...