Kaervak

Hi everyone, I don't know where to start. This forum is so huge and a bit overwhelming at first glance.

I guess I will let you all know a little bit about me and my situation.

I am a 28 year old male, who started drinking in 2006. I started drinking more than I should in 2007 and quite heavily since 2008. I never drank daily, but binge drank 3 to 4 times a week, often to the point of passing or blacking out. My drink of choice was was initially wine/liquor but I settled on mostly beer from 2008 on.

I lost both my mother and my fiance to cancer during this time period, and I am just now processing some of the grief. I started getting bad anxiety and depression in Dec 2010 and quit on Dec 21 2010. 10 days later I got hit with horrible anxiety and depression. I leveled out after about 2 months and decided in mid march 2011 I would try drinking again. Well the next morning I had some of the worst symptoms I had ever felt. That was the last drink I had.

Since then I have not drank anymore. I am currently struggling with anxiety and depression that comes and goes in waves (some months I feel almost fine). I am thinking that I am suffering from PAWs, along with dealing with suppressed emotions through which I have been seeking guidance.

My Summary
- Binge drinker for 4 years (3 to 4x a week)
- Free since March 2011

I would just like to know if there is anyone else suffering from PAWs, with anxiety and depression this far out (1 year).

Glad to be here.

jocata

I've been told that PAWS symptoms can last up to two years for some people. I believe I have gone through some PAWS myself. I can relate to the anxiety and depression. I had to seek treatment for that when I was about 2.5 months sober.

If it's not getting better, you may want to consider seeing a therapist.

God bless.

Purplecatlover

Welcome! I'm sorry for the heartbreak you've had to endure. I'm proud of you that you were able to quit drinking after all of that. Not sure if I could. That shows how strong you are.
I read something that said, Depression isn't a sign of weakness, but a sign of being strong for too long.
I'm not sure if yours is PAWS or normal grief over your situation.
Have you sought advice from an addict counselor?

I hope you find what you're searching for.
Congrats on your sobriety time, that is very impressive.
Best wishes & I'll pray for you if that's okay. We all deserve peace, serenity, and contentment in life.

sugarbear1

Get some help for your depression from a professional. You may also still be grieving your losses. I lost several people and it took over 3 years to feel different after that (I was still drinking through most of that time, though).

You haven't mentioned working any kind of program to help you, do you have a support system in place?

PAWS, if you do a search, can take 2 years. My rehab told us it takes one month for every year of drinking. Everyone is different.

Congratulations on 1 year of sobriety!