Tips for in the moment relief?

[borderlinebabe]

I am in treatment and on meds and actually eating now and yet I still feel such extreme mood swings. I am in AA and have a sponsor but I feel alone. I can't stop these overwhelming emotions

[HearYou]

Hi, have you extended your AA call numbers to other members of your sponsor tree; might help to be able to call them. What type of mood swings are you having and what are you doing to cope? You are in AA but would you mind sharing what type of meds you are taking? Having to take RX medication that is necessary and the AA message no drugs is sometimes confusing and anxiety starting. How long have you been sober and clean?

[borderlinebabe in reply to HearYou]

I have some other numbers but I barely know them. I am using music and drawing and games on my phone for distraction. I'm by myself. I'm on meds for severe depression, anxiety, bpd mood swings, and nightmares. I'm sober 4 months

[HearYou in reply to borderlinebabe]

Ok, so you've made it 4 months. That alone deserves a loud "Alleluia!". Get your 6 month tag or patch soon. Ok, so you stop alcohol, the number one drug.....so you may have to start just calling some of the others in AA so you don't feel so alone and get to know them. Call one and say you were calling to see how they are doing and then share what is going on with you. Alcohol has not been out of your body very long...your body is still dealing with that.

Ok, depression and anxiety often ride together. Were you taking meds for that when you were still drinking?

[borderlinebabe in reply to HearYou]

Thanks. I’ve been on meds for 2 years so yes

[HearYou in reply to borderlinebabe]

Ok, your body is getting use to not having alcohol in it's system....and its asking what happened to the alcohol? So think that is affecting you. Hang tight with your sponsor, you're going to make it. I have nightmares frequently, and know it's just part of my PTSD type anxiety. You might consider attending a few NA meetings, cause if anyone knows the relationship medications can have on you, it's NA. Alcohol is a drug.

You didn't get addicted to alcohol overnight, so dealing with it being out of your body is going to take awhile.....like you are still detoxing. You mentioned you're in treatment; is that due to the alcohol issue, or did your doctor not know you were still self-medicating with alcohol while on antidepressant and anxiety meds?

Does he/she know you're sober 4 months but has not changed those meds? The meds you're taking may be rx to help you through the transition from abusing alcohol to not using it at all......if you have an addictive personality, you may have mood swings due to the rx meds, instead of them helping you.

Think it may be helpful if you had a candid talk with your doctor about the meds. Mat need to change or adjust the dose, or slowly wean you from them. Just hang in there. I've been there, done that regarding the rx.