Four Weeks!
 

It's four weeks (28 days) since I last had a drink. I'm delighted that I have stopped, but I seem to have been left with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Hopefully this is just a form of withdrawal from which I will recover soon.

One thing's clear though, I had to stop as I was getting panicky even when I was drinking, and even more so when I was hungover.

Great stuff, Auchie - keep up the good work.

I'm sure your conditions are temporary and will fade with continued sobriety. Only one way to find out if it was the drink that was causing them!

Oddly thats why I STARTED.

Anxiety, agoraphobia, everything on the anxiety spectrum.

Not a good idea ( understatement of the century)

Congratulations on 28 days!

Remember alcohol will make your anxiety WORSE in the long run.

If youre having unmanageable problems with it, do yourself a huge favor and see a doctor before you take a drink.

Congrats, Auchie.

Congrats on four weeks sober! :) Keep going, it gets better. :)

Well done mate. Keep going. You'll be able to tackle your anxiety better while being sober and then there'll be no stopping you.

Brilliant!! Well done 💕💕

Congrats on 4 weeks :)

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Congrats on four weeks. That is really wonderful. Some times just a plain hour can be tough! I hear you on the anxiety. Anxious sober is much more manageable than withdrawing from alcohol in intense panic.

Great job- What a wonderful way to end the year and begin a new one!

Great work on 4 weeks! That was the point where I really felt I turned the corner and had momentum. It kept getting better from there!

Good work on your 4 weeks sober. It’s my opinion that the anxiety that you’re describing evens out after a bit of time but of course everyone is different. If it continues or becomes worrisome please don’t hesitate to see your doctor.

4 weeks - we're so proud of you, Auchie.

I agree with gypsy. My anxiety hung around for a couple months, but eventually lessened greatly.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and for congratulating me. I will just take it one day at a time, and hopefully it will stick. I never want to drink again as those first few weeks were hellish, and I now believe kindling is real.

Congrats on 4 wks... the panic might settle down in the coming weeks as the time goes by. It's been up and down for me too, but from all I've read it eventually does pass and get better. Happy for you...

Thanks. I know you're not far behind me. Good luck.

Congratulations Auchieshuggle and also sadforldr7!

It's no secret anxiety and panic attacks was one of many motivating reasons for me to stop drinking and I believe my issues was brought on by kindling. I never plan to have alcohol in my body again, the living hell of withdrawal is terrifying and even now makes me uneasy to even think about. Complete torture.

What is the situation/place/action related to your agoraphobia that you're experiencing? I remember early on wearing sunglasses inside stores, or even listen to certain music before I went in and sometime even listening to music inside stores with my ear buds helped a little. Once my overactive brain stabilized from withdrawal things improved and one day it was like "wow" I didn't even think about it anymore.

Speaking of buds or friends depending and what is related to your agoraphobia bring a friends along can help some also.

Nice work! Time to look at the ol' mental health now as you have to be doing I guess. You in touch with the NHS for the panic?

congrats!

Thanks for your reply.

I had a terrible panic attack a few months ago, a really horrible one. Then I had another that was so bad I called an ambulance. I fear I will have a heart attack due to the intensity of the panic.

When I'm at home I do not feel particularly anxious any more, and in fact I haven't taken diazepam (valium, which was prescribed) for nine days. However I struggle to go out, and when I have been I have been accompanied by a friend, as I too found that helpful.

Glad you got over your anxiety! How long did it take you?

Aye, my GP examined me and doesn't believe I need further tests. I have been prescribed an SSRI and hopefully that will do the trick. Thanks for your reply.

Congratulations on your 4 weeks. A month is huge!