Britneytoday2

I'm 2 months clean and sober. I'm having panic attacks and depressing thoughts. Thoughts of dying and being scared I'll die in my sleep. Also fears of a panic attack killing me. I fight panic attacks all the time ever since I first tried heroin and went on a meth binge. That's my whole life, keeping the panic attacks away. I drank too much coffee tonight and am having back to back ones.

Seren

Good morning, Britney!

I am not an alcoholic, but from what I have read on these boards over the years, the first few months can bring a variety of panicky thoughts and feelings, and depression. I believe it is your brain trying to rewire itself without the blanket of alcohol.

Keep posting here!! I can only imagine how tough this is, but you can do this!!

August252015

Hey Britney - so sorry to hear about these struggles- panicky feelings (and one full blown attack a few days accidentally off my Paxil) and anxiety and....they suck. I found they do pass- and when I was sober enough to work with my dr to see that anxiety alone was a legit problem, we have been able to deal with it w med, and I have also learned tools in AA.

Have you heard of PAWS? Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome- here is a great article on what we can experience in the first months, even up to two years (I had a very prolonged experience with PAWS and still have some effects here at 2 yrs this wk) www.digitaldharma.net - under the PAWS tab.

Keep posting- keep sober- you can do this.

Astro

Britney, I had to ease up on caffeine and sugar in early sobriety and noticed it made a difference in my anxiety levels if I did everything possible to rest and sleep. Being around others in recovery at meetings helped me feel less anxious too.

2 months is great progress, keep it up!

D122y

Brit,

I still have minor panic attacks after all my clean time.

Nothing like the first year. Second year was even better.

3rd year coming up...omg. I am beginning to feel very human.

I was 3 months clean before I found SR.

I was half way to going crazy.

They tell me that is what happens to folks that get addicted.

Addicts end up insane in the end, unless they quit.

I am an addict for life.

I am not going down that way.

Thanks.

MindfulMan

Stimulants and anxiety are a bad mix.

When I was in klonopin withdrawal, and for months afterwards, a cup of coffee would make me want to jump out of my skin.

Have you consulted a doctor? Preferably a psychiatrist with an substance abuse specialty? There are methods to deal with the anxiety that often accompanies withdrawal, both meds and non-meds.