mad1nola

It has been 5 weeks today sober and today I feel so depressed and a little helpless. I should be happy and celebrating but I am not. I don't know what happened. I was feeling so good a couple of days ago and then, boom! I haven't sleep well lately. And I feel like there is no hope today. I know this feeling will pass, it has before but it is horrible. I've cried a lot today. I've exercised, I have maintain nutrition etc., and yet I still have days like this. It start with anxiety then panic and then hopelessness because I may have to feel this way for the rest of my life. So do any you guys have any pointers how to deal with stress in a real way. I'll try anything except drinking to get rid of this feeling. I know I sound desperate and exaggerated but that is how this feeling takes over me. I have to vent because I feel like I could lose my mind at any time. I know that I could have just one been and feel better but I can't do that to myself. My detox was difficult that I just too scared to drink alcohol again. Just having one of those bad days I guess. Can't stay focused. Any ideas?

PG1968

Well, you have not used, so you are still doing well. This is my third week of sobriety and I can totally relate to you. One day things are great, then crap the next. This is the hardest part though. Are you going to meetings? Do you have a sponsor you can vent to? I have taken all of the NA/AA suggestions to try to stay sober this time, it seems to be working right now, but it's very difficult. I too had a rough time during detox, take care.

CAPTAINZING2000

Go visit friends or call them up on the phone, invite em over for supper etc.

Isolation is a killer early in recovery

Fish4life

I will - get drunk
We can - stay sober

Early on in my sobriety the open ear of my sponsor was invaluable in helping me combat depression, loneliness, and that crazy committee in my head. I don't know your opinion of meetings but any time I get in a funk I call my sponsor and get my a$$ to a meeting

GreenTea

Try getting on your knees and praying, asking for help.

Work some steps... Go to some meetings... Talk to some recovering alcoholics...

Read through the wealth of information here at SR... Make some posts, sharing what you're feeling...

Find someone to help... Go visit an old folks home or a hospital or your local VA center...

Take a walk... Sit outside and watch the trees... Feed a squirrel... Breathe...

Blake'sTyger

Hey Nola-- I think PG's right. You haven't used, and that in and of itself is a success.

I think meetings could be a good call.
Also, have you tried meditation? It's the biggest factor for me in keeping myself balanced. Not that I'm any definition of "balance", though I can tell you that it helps.

Good luck, and all the best,

B'sT

CarolD

Check out PAWS ....

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

Prayer helps me immensley.
AA is a vital part of my life.

Well done on your sober time
8

reed

call your sober friends or sponsor. I'm a relapse waiting to happen myself. I don't really like my sposor but my roomate seems to be keeping me going. I've also been riding my bike a lot, helps.
I'm reading this book called "The Tao of Pooh," its good- pick it up. Good insights. Don't pick up...

SF69

Agreed! Whenever one of those moods hits me, I do like you say, get ahold of friends, or go to a AA meeting. Just listening to someone else talk distracts me from listening to that voice in my head.

Rowan

Good for you reaching out and asking for help, and well done on your sober time.

You've gotten some solid advice. Please take action, and know that you are not alone. I've been there, and it's painful, but it will pass - just make sure you take action.