Stress and Sobriety
Stress and Sobriety
Today I was stressing over some life issue that has become more important to me now that I am a non-drinker. Some may have an idea....
I felt ill about uit. I felt like I wanted to get sick. Yes, I had a crappy lunch as well.
So, in the past I was so ready to drink over issues and they almost always took a back seat to getting drunk.
Often the issue went away, but I was still physically addicted.
So, that is all. When we are clean, life issues seem heavier sometimes because before all we cared about was getting drunk.
The stress of life makes me feel uncomfortable now. Things that were less important before, now have a greater impact. But, when I got home, and settled down. I felt pretty good again. Much of the stress was gone.
Does that make sense?
I felt ill about uit. I felt like I wanted to get sick. Yes, I had a crappy lunch as well.
So, in the past I was so ready to drink over issues and they almost always took a back seat to getting drunk.
Often the issue went away, but I was still physically addicted.
So, that is all. When we are clean, life issues seem heavier sometimes because before all we cared about was getting drunk.
The stress of life makes me feel uncomfortable now. Things that were less important before, now have a greater impact. But, when I got home, and settled down. I felt pretty good again. Much of the stress was gone.
Does that make sense?
Yes D1, it makes sense. When I'm dealing with stress, I try to remind myself that the feeling is only temporary...and it usually is. One thing that I'm learning now that I'm sober is that I don't need to react to what I'm feeling at that moment. When I give it some time, it gets easier to manage and doesn't seem so draining.
Glad you're feeling better now!
Glad you're feeling better now!
Makes sense to me. Now that I'm sober I have new ways of dealing with stress that don't include drinking. And what I have found is that I have less stress being sober than I did when I was drinking.
I don't know, worrying thoughts come up. I'm older and more stuff is likely to go wrong sooner rather than later - so that pops in my head, and how I'll cope...but I can't really foresee or stop the future so there ya have it.
One foot in front of the other. Yup, I reckon that's all I can do.
One foot in front of the other. Yup, I reckon that's all I can do.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
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Mmm, I would say things stress me a lot (LOT) less sober, because I know that most really aren't that important. At all. Today, my sponsor observed how I have become more adaptive and resilient in .... life. I am better able to catch myself and just not let the little stuff bug me- and other than truly big stuff with my family and closest friends, it's all little (and even plenty of "stuff" with them isn't that big).
One way being sober is so freeing is not having so much imagined stress.
One way being sober is so freeing is not having so much imagined stress.
I completely understand. I'm on the verge of maybe losing my job. This due to company financial issues and the 2nd time in a little over a year. I don't know for sure but all signs point in that direction.
Because I don't drink there are many possibilities for the future. If I were still drinking there would be only one. Trying not to stress and holding fast to that thought.
Because I don't drink there are many possibilities for the future. If I were still drinking there would be only one. Trying not to stress and holding fast to that thought.
Everyone is different for sure.
My kindling, PAWS, and life/booze PTSD seem to manifest in a sickly feeling stress reaction generally.
When I get stressed I feel weak and obsessive. Like a fight or flight response. I am very aware of it now because I am clean and sober.
I am 5 days clean off a 3 week zrytec phase I was dealing with. I feel like even zyrtec has a chemical/physical effect on me. I seem more aware of my physical and mental state than ever. I need an alergy med and zrytec def. Works, I don't like the side effects. Benedryl jacked me up fierce.
Sober thoughts?
My kindling, PAWS, and life/booze PTSD seem to manifest in a sickly feeling stress reaction generally.
When I get stressed I feel weak and obsessive. Like a fight or flight response. I am very aware of it now because I am clean and sober.
I am 5 days clean off a 3 week zrytec phase I was dealing with. I feel like even zyrtec has a chemical/physical effect on me. I seem more aware of my physical and mental state than ever. I need an alergy med and zrytec def. Works, I don't like the side effects. Benedryl jacked me up fierce.
Sober thoughts?
The sense comes from one's brain rewiring/reprocessing memories with a growing sober/maturing awareness. So new situations bring back old ways of emotional coping. But then the body and brain adjust. So I will feel crap- but with effort, doing the HALTS bit, mindful breathing and putting aside that worry, until it matters, it most often, blows over.
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