Help with anxiety/drinking
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: FtW, Tx
Posts: 198
Originally Posted by flutter 
I really had myself convinced that I was treating (albeit in an unhealthy way) my anxiety by 'relaxing' it with alcohol, when come to find out, the more I drank, the more anxious I would become (usually the next day) and the cycle would continue for years and years. I eventually realized the drinking was causing my anxiety mostly, but then when I quit drinking I realized I had absolutely no idea how else to find relief, I had been self medicating for so long.
Part of what I worked on with my therapist was how to re-learn (or learn for the first time) my coping skills with life. How to relax, celebrate, grieve, express anger, all that life stuff without drinking. I just didn't know how.
When I get anxious now, I exercise or meditate. I found some good relaxation exercises online, and my therapist taught me some guided relaxation techniques. I'll read, talk to a friend etc. As long as drinking is never an option, I'm forced to find something else to do. I don't get anxious nearly as much as I used to, it's all but gone away. If I do now, it's usually very 'normal' and situational/acute and passes with a little time and new strategies.
Part of what I worked on with my therapist was how to re-learn (or learn for the first time) my coping skills with life. How to relax, celebrate, grieve, express anger, all that life stuff without drinking. I just didn't know how.
When I get anxious now, I exercise or meditate. I found some good relaxation exercises online, and my therapist taught me some guided relaxation techniques. I'll read, talk to a friend etc. As long as drinking is never an option, I'm forced to find something else to do. I don't get anxious nearly as much as I used to, it's all but gone away. If I do now, it's usually very 'normal' and situational/acute and passes with a little time and new strategies.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Herne Bay
Posts: 26
Thanks so much for your support guys, today has really hit home how bad it's got. Part of the reason I had to get the wine this morning was because I had to use the Underground in London, and I knew (it's happened before) I would be so sort of shaky and 'arhh' that I would want to jump on the tracks (even though I don't). I don't get that... I had to sit down until the train arrives.
I had no idea booze worsens the anxiety so much, it's a good spur on to quit. I may be young (ish) but I've truly wrecked myself with drink and it's hard cos you have to keep it secret for most people.
Happily (ish) I got home tonight and apparently, everything is normal so I must have had a blackout and assumed I did something awful. Yeesh :-/
Have tried meditation and exercise before, both worked so well to keep my mood in a good place. Just need to convince myself that drink shouldn't come first!
I had no idea booze worsens the anxiety so much, it's a good spur on to quit. I may be young (ish) but I've truly wrecked myself with drink and it's hard cos you have to keep it secret for most people.
Happily (ish) I got home tonight and apparently, everything is normal so I must have had a blackout and assumed I did something awful. Yeesh :-/
Have tried meditation and exercise before, both worked so well to keep my mood in a good place. Just need to convince myself that drink shouldn't come first!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Herne Bay
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by alphaomega
My last slip (1.5 bottles of chardonnay) resulted in *5* whole days of anxiety and depression. FIVE DAYS. I had been clean for 2 months prior. Drank those two bottles on a full stomach.
I, like Flutter, spent the last 20 plus years thinking I was "curing" my anxiety with booze. It's the exact opposite.
Be well.
I, like Flutter, spent the last 20 plus years thinking I was "curing" my anxiety with booze. It's the exact opposite.
Be well.
Faith and reason
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Posts: 941
I'm glad that everything was okay when you got home and you hadn't done anything awful, charlie. 
Our mind plays tricks on us, especially when we're drinking.
I live in London so I know exactly what you mean about the Underground. But if I can navigate the Tube sober and not throw myself on the tracks, so can you!
I hope you get to see your doctor soon. Stopping drinking really is the first step and everything else will follow.
Our mind plays tricks on us, especially when we're drinking.I live in London so I know exactly what you mean about the Underground. But if I can navigate the Tube sober and not throw myself on the tracks, so can you!
I hope you get to see your doctor soon. Stopping drinking really is the first step and everything else will follow.
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