Constant Worry and can't relax and enjoy anything
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,204
Constant Worry and can't relax and enjoy anything
I can't even sit through a tv show or read or anything. I pace all afternoon after I get home from AA and I have come to dread the afternoons. I'm ok once my family comes home at 4 but until then is miserable. I'm 12 days sober. Help! I'm not craving beer. I'm just miserable, though. How do I stop pacing and force myself to come on here or how do I calm my mind enough to read or watch tv? I can't stand this. I pray and sometimes call my AA friends but I can't spend all afternoon on the phone.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 638
Maybe try to enjoy "doing nothing". Do you have a stressful feeling like you should be somewhere or do something but can't focus on anything? I don't know at all if it will help but you can try to settle with an attitude like "zombie time" or whatever... like nothing is demanded of you during that afternoon...
Hopefully the stress subsides. And congrats 12 days! That's almost two weeks.
Hopefully the stress subsides. And congrats 12 days! That's almost two weeks.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,460
I had to get used to the idea of being with myself and that meant learning to like myself. It wasn't easy, but I now enjoy and need time to myself on a regular basis.
You might also try to do something that gets you outside of yourself. Volunteering was truly a godsend for me.
You might also try to do something that gets you outside of yourself. Volunteering was truly a godsend for me.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,753
I agree with Anna's suggestion of volunteering somewhere. It gets you out of your own head and gives to someone in greater need than you. It's good therapy for both the giver and the receiver. 
At twelve days sober you're still in very early recovery and should expect some anxiety from your brain 'rewiring' itself.
At twelve days sober you're still in very early recovery and should expect some anxiety from your brain 'rewiring' itself.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,204
Yeah, I need constant distraction, but yet cannot calm down enough to do anything distracting. Today is particularly bad. I'm still all wound upan d evenings are usually okay for me. Need a drink. My sponsors at work so I can't call her. Ugh. But I'm in bed for the night. AA first thing in the morning.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 64
Sober, have you thought about going for walks at the times you are feeling the need to pace. I think it might help to break the thought cycle and put your mind at ease. The fresh air and sunlight (or even moonlight) can be very soothing. Stay strong. 12 days is an amazing accomplishment.
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
I would try to do multiple AA meetings daily and exercise really helps. Start going on long walks they burn up a lot of time and tire you out. As others have said 12 days is very early and freaking out is normal but each day will be a little better.
You will do this! A day at a time
You will do this! A day at a time
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,126
The anxiety during those first weeks can be crippling. Is there a chance you can make some friends at the clubhouse to ask for coffee after it closes?
And what meds are you on? Were you on the same meds when you were drinking? For me, the meds I were on were blanketed by the booze and when I took the booze away the side effects were manifest.
Perhaps part of your problem is that the hours you are freaking out the most may have been your drinking hours? I was just left with no means of handling anything without that constant beer in my hand. I had no learning experience on how to be anything but drunk or working on getting there.
Going for a walk makes sense, but if you are like I was getting out the door to take that walk might just as well been a recommendation to climb a mountain in slippers.
Posting here is always good. And reaching out for professional work is never a bad idea.
And what meds are you on? Were you on the same meds when you were drinking? For me, the meds I were on were blanketed by the booze and when I took the booze away the side effects were manifest.
Perhaps part of your problem is that the hours you are freaking out the most may have been your drinking hours? I was just left with no means of handling anything without that constant beer in my hand. I had no learning experience on how to be anything but drunk or working on getting there.
Going for a walk makes sense, but if you are like I was getting out the door to take that walk might just as well been a recommendation to climb a mountain in slippers.
Posting here is always good. And reaching out for professional work is never a bad idea.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 345
12 days is still pretty raw, it gets a whole lot better, early on, i didnt stay home by myself, isolation/empty home is a real recipe to get in my own head, and also drink. i used to literally pull back out of the driveway if i get home before other family members and go run an errand, etc. i suggest you protect this time theough a scheduled activity (meeting, yoga class, etc), or through going to a safe place (a park, mall, etc) to fill that slot for the first month or two ... it died for me, now i dont think about it and it doesnt bother me... for me, i like to replace my thoughts/actions/surroundings when triggers occur instead of pulling my hair and repeating "i will not drink ... i will not drink ..."
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