mje124

Got day 4 and caved but 3 days at least

house roof collapsed and insurance and trying to sort it ...excuse I know but the wine was there ...............


Day 1 tomorrow no meetings no stress just me and my bed and books


Saw an anxiety specialist who wants CBT and therapy .........great

I am just so terrified and this is my heart open to you all that if I can't drink what can I do ????

My panic attacks at the moment are so bad I can barely take the rubbish out
I don't want to die from drink but if I become agoraphobic I will

All your advice is great but when you are shaking / in the grip of panic I reach for a drink or avoid

I know that's wrong but it's how I have lived for 20 years

Sorry


Mike

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Thatdeliveryguy

I get bad, I mean horrible anxiety attacks. At times I pass out because of anxiety. I am not so sober myself and I too have gotten the shakes. Its scary, real scary and to boot your body will tell you things that will scare the living hell out of you.

If you are getting the shakes from alcohol, that could be dangerous, very dangerous. If you can get to a doctor, if you can't see a doctor. I am not a doctor, but my humble no medical opinion is taper. By taper I mean set a schedule of days only take alcohol like a medicine and gradually come off. This is not medical advice and you should get medical advice if you can. But alcohol is poison and can really hurt you, be safe...

You can and will do this, life will get easier you will get sober. Today might suck, tomorrow might suck, hell it might suck for weeks. However, on here you will have 24 7 support these people are helping me save my life.

Get a plan, get ready to really get sober. Go to AA meetings or check out SMART. Or anything else that might help.

Again, I am not offering medical advice, I don't know your personal situation. What I do know is that alcohol withdrawal can kill. Promise me you won't have too much pride to get to a hospital if things get bad. You matter my friend, hang in their bro, one day, one hour one what ever at a time.

Know that the panic attacks will get better, that life will improve and that you will be better for this.

For now, TDG saying stay safe and sober friend.... You can do this.

ScottFromWI

It's hard to imagine, but much of your anxiety may be caused by your drinking - mine definitely was. Ironically I drank to try and make it better, but I was actually making it worse. Alcohol is the problem, not the solution.

Did you discuss the actually acute withdrawal with your therapist or doctor at all? There are temporary medications that can be prescribed if your anxiety and sympoms are too severe to deal with in other ways.

Bottom line though, it WILL get better if you stop drinking. If you keep drinking, it will get worse. Be strong and use SR as support in addition to your ongoing therapy.

bookmaven

I'm a recovering alcoholic/pot-head with a diagnosis of mental illness. Alcohol contributes to anxiety, even though it feels like it's giving relief in the moment. In my CBT I learned to "ride the wave" of an anxiety attack. It feels terrible, but eventually the moment passes. I recommend starting CBT and therapy ASAP. The more tools you have in your toolbox for coping the greater your chances of recovery are. It's not your fault, it's a chemical imbalance in your brain.

copperfield

mike, Im right there with you. Be Strong. Today is my day two again...

PurpleKnight

Go at things again Mike and you'll get there!!

Sobriety in itself is about breaking those cycles or patterns that we used to follow, we facilitated and used alcohol for years, so it surely makes sense then that being Sober means breaking those habits and replacing what we used to do with something different, this especially applies to stress, you need to find another way!!

If we change nothing then nothing will change, the old habits will lead back to the same place of alcohol, but you can turn this around Mike!!

mje124

thanks all it's just seems so daunting ...........since my first panic attack I have avoided every situation that my mind thinks will cause one or had a drink


I am 42 and feel am 14 like a child jobless at moment husband supporting me and me just sat here like a lump of lard with no purpose or motivation with sick pay coming in

Have got a degree for gods sake and am a classical pianist or **** artist

that's depression I know but drinking passes the lonely hours

Prozac starting tonight on my GP advice and day 1 bear with me as I will need you all tomorrow

thanks all

Mike

PurpleKnight

SR is in your corner Mike!!

Anna

I do hope the Prozac helps and good for you for going to talk to the dr. As others have said, anxiety will likely decrease when you stop drinking. The thing is life if full of a variety of stresses, but the good news is you can learn healthy ways to deal with them.

mje124

thanks Anna

Lord knows how you and Dee put up with us hopeless idiots but it's good to know you are there


Prozac tonight and no booze tomorrow .............only been on the booze 3 days after 4 days off so not too worried about withdrawal



take care and thank you

M

X

Hevyn

You're sure not hopeless Mike, or you wouldn't be here reaching out for help.

I once thought alcohol was a friend who helped me get through bad times. It turns out my dread and fear was made far worse by attempting to numb myself. Facing things with a clear head is so much better. You can do it.

Dee74

Hi Mike...

you're no more a hopeless idiot than I am (or Anna)

What others have said about drinking increasing anxiety was certainly true for me. I had a pretty bad week 0- anxiety levels were screaming...but I didn;t drink...I just tried to stay calm and to work out my problem best I could...

the problems a long way from being fixed but I feel much better about things.
Anxiety bent me a little but it didn't kill me

If you think you need a Dr's support, tho, by all means do that - get all the support and reinforcements you can

D