Is it depression or just recovery?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 97
Is it depression or just recovery?
I'm 34 days sober. Some days I feel good, but most days I feel like I'm stuck in a deep dark hole.
I'm in the process of cleaning up the messes that I made while I was a drunk... Finances, health, etc. I do have hope for the future, which I haven't had in years. I'm pushing forward and making slow progress.
I just feel like over all I should feel much better.
Is this common?
The positive in all this is that I know drinking isn't an option and will only add to the problem.
I'm in the process of cleaning up the messes that I made while I was a drunk... Finances, health, etc. I do have hope for the future, which I haven't had in years. I'm pushing forward and making slow progress.
I just feel like over all I should feel much better.
Is this common?
The positive in all this is that I know drinking isn't an option and will only add to the problem.
Sober Alcoholic
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,539
It could be a bit of both.
In early sobriety people often feel a lack of pleasure in doing many activities. This often because they were pumping feel-good substances into their bodies for so long that it is taking time for their physiology to adjust.
Sometimes people were depressed and self medicating.
If the depression continues it would be a good idea to seek out a mental health professional.
In early sobriety people often feel a lack of pleasure in doing many activities. This often because they were pumping feel-good substances into their bodies for so long that it is taking time for their physiology to adjust.
Sometimes people were depressed and self medicating.
If the depression continues it would be a good idea to seek out a mental health professional.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,355
It can and probably is a mixture of both.
When you are drunk all the time your brain starts taking that as normal. Then when you get sober, your brain isnt quite sure what to do. It takes a while for everything to start firing correctly in your brain. Might take a month, might take a year. But you will eventually start to see it getting better and better.
Might be a good idea to talk to your doc about wellbutrin or another anti depressant. They help a lot.
When you are drunk all the time your brain starts taking that as normal. Then when you get sober, your brain isnt quite sure what to do. It takes a while for everything to start firing correctly in your brain. Might take a month, might take a year. But you will eventually start to see it getting better and better.
Might be a good idea to talk to your doc about wellbutrin or another anti depressant. They help a lot.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: W Washington
Posts: 11,589
it's only been a month on the sober trail......and it's a TALL mountain! don't lose hope, just ratchet in the desire to be WELL ALREADY DAMMIT!
cleaning up the wreckage can seem like such an ominous task. break it down into small manageable bits. baby steps. as long as you keep putting one sober foot in front of the other and doing the next wise thing, all will be well1
cleaning up the wreckage can seem like such an ominous task. break it down into small manageable bits. baby steps. as long as you keep putting one sober foot in front of the other and doing the next wise thing, all will be well1
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,229
The positive in all this is that I know drinking isn't an option and will only add to the problem.
But yeah could be depression. I had very bad anxiety. never really thought i was depressed but the 2 do go hand in hand. I started taking a supplement that helped with depression and it helped my anxiety i was like what gives i'm not depressed why od i feel better my wife laughed said your the most depressed person i know!. But depression does that for me anyhow it sneaks up on me on day i'm ok next day i've been in a pit of despaire for a decadea nd had no idea.
congrats on the 34 days thats awesome.
You can have reasons, or you can have results, but you can't have both.
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,232
Congrats on over a month! But I wouldn't jump to any conclusions this early. Especially not anything about clinical depression.
Like you, I'm also spending a lot of time cleaning up the mess. It's tedious and frustrating and yes sometimes a little depressing. We've been through a major crisis and change, and we have a pile of bills waiting for us.
My challenge is in finding new activities to add fun and pleasure back into life. How are you doing on that front? Do you have things you like to do, and can look forward to? These would be my suggestions: Don't draw any conclusions just yet, be patient, and look for some little goodies that will add joy to your days.
Like you, I'm also spending a lot of time cleaning up the mess. It's tedious and frustrating and yes sometimes a little depressing. We've been through a major crisis and change, and we have a pile of bills waiting for us.
My challenge is in finding new activities to add fun and pleasure back into life. How are you doing on that front? Do you have things you like to do, and can look forward to? These would be my suggestions: Don't draw any conclusions just yet, be patient, and look for some little goodies that will add joy to your days.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,373
None of us can diagnose you here.
If you have a history of depression that predates drinking it's a good idea to check in with your DR.
If you have no previous history, you could wait it out if that's what you want to do - if its really debilitating tho thats another vote for the Dr from me illi
D
If you have a history of depression that predates drinking it's a good idea to check in with your DR.
If you have no previous history, you could wait it out if that's what you want to do - if its really debilitating tho thats another vote for the Dr from me illi
D
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
Its very common. Early recovery is an emotional rollercoaster and depression is part of it.
For me, therapy and AA, exercise and patience, self-care and gratitide were the tools that helped immensely as I navigated the sadness and emotional volatility of the first year. The second year was much better. I also have learned in sobriety that I have a mild case of seasonal depression which I have found a SAD light, supplements and exercise to be very helpful for
For me, therapy and AA, exercise and patience, self-care and gratitide were the tools that helped immensely as I navigated the sadness and emotional volatility of the first year. The second year was much better. I also have learned in sobriety that I have a mild case of seasonal depression which I have found a SAD light, supplements and exercise to be very helpful for
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