I feel like I'm going crazy
 

I'm at 50 days off of booze right now and my anxiety has increased tenfold over the last two days. It's almost as bad as it was in the first few weeks. Anyone else experienced this? I feel like I'm going crazy and my friends and family are all tired of hearing about it. Ugh....

For the people that are a long time sober, when did the anxiety slow down?

Hey there, I recently relapsed after 2 years but I remember when I was getting sober the first time around the anxiety didn't start to wear off until about 4th or 5th month.

Hi,

I hope you feel better soon.

For me, part of the issue was learning to deal with the anxiety. So, yes there was much less anxiety in my life when I was sober, but I also learned to handle it better. When you are having an anxiety attack your breathing will become shallow. So, stop and take a few really deep 'belly breaths' and your body will respond. :)

The whole first year was a roller coaster ride for me...almost 16 months now..the ride still rolls...

anxiety is a condition that many of suffer from. that's why i started drinking more and more, to "deal" with the issue. many people who have never had a drink have this condition, from what i've been told by a psychiatrist 1 in 10 people experience anxiety and panic attacks.

perhaps you could see a doctor or a specialist to help you deal with the emotions?

I am with Bryan, had PAWS all through the first year and the memory issues are the slowest to go away. I never had anxiety in my life but had several panic attacks in my first three months, not since.

Go to this link here on SR and read more:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...formation.html

I was just Googling this on the internet and im sick of all these website that say it withdrawals clear up around 6 to 10 days is bs. Im 4 weeks and i had a bad panic attack last night. Anxiety sucks!

Oh and congratulations on your 50!

My anxiety was at it's worse before I quit. Any I had after that was childsplay...but after the 2nd month it got a bit worse than it was. I think this was the 'second wave' of withdrawals for me, the physical stuff subsided and the mental stuff decided to kick off. Are you using any kind of recovery program Walktheline? That is what has really been helping calm my anxiety, or else there are lots of techniques you can learn to help. Just google 'anxiety coping strategies' and I'm sure you'll get some helpful tips. I think we have to work at making the anxiety slow down. I know quite a few people with massive anxiety problems who have never drunk much at all. It's just something life likes to throw at us :( x

Thanks guys. I've read all the PAWS stuff and seen a doctor. His first (and only) solution was a steady dose of benzos. With my addictive personality this just isn't an option and I'm looking for a new doctor. I'm riding it out but it's comforting to hear other people's experiences with the anxiety.

It comes in waves. I'll have good days and bad days. Good hours and bad hours. At least it's not as bad as the anxiety while drinking.

Boh347: I agree; and thanks!

Hypo: I've been using self calming techniques and they work well enough that I don't get panic attacks. I wish they would make the anxiety go away completely though! lol.

The feeling of going crazy ended up with me relapsing.
I still felt like I was going crazy though and drinking again only made it worse in the end.
Did somthing I never did before....went to my Doctor and spilled the beans, was totally honest and actually broke down crying in his office.
Like you his solution was a steady diet of benzos too.
However I have never used benzos in my life, so I am giving them a shot.
I actually think they are helping me....I don't feel like Im so crazy and am back to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel here.....so for me they are currently helping me.....now I can get back on my real program....meetings, books, counselling and of course SR
You can't ever give up trying.