Anxiety and alcohol abuse.

[Coloradowalker]

Can anyone relate? It’s a vicious cycle. Sometimes the only calm I have in a day is after a vodka tonic at night. Why is it that what’s worst for you is what calms the nerves? Looking for alternatives and a way to break the cycle.

[Hidden]

I can so relate to vodka relief. I'm on day 20 without right now. It's sucks but I was dying. I can't find anything that makes me feel as good but I don't want to die for it. You can stop. It causes anxiety and depression long term use.

[fauxartist in reply to Hidden]

congrats Melhall...I too am in recovery....and whether its one day or a decade...it's still one day at a time. Anytime you want to talk for support....I am here...

[Hidden in reply to fauxartist]

Thank you. I appreciate that. It was an eight year bender, daily so it's been rough but I forgot what it felt like to not be in a perpetual hangover. 🙄

[fauxartist in reply to Hidden]

I always remember that saying....the worst day sober is better than the last hangover I had for sure....because I was not only depressed....but really sick. There are a lot of us here, and not everyone is cut out for the 12 steppin out, and some are just dry drunks....but we just have to be honest with ourselves really, and share whatever it is we are going through....no judgment, no stigma, no guilt or remorse, just dealing with it like any other disease ...moment to moment sometimes.

[Hidden in reply to fauxartist]

Thank you so much. 🤗

[SoberDrunk1]

Absolutely. The mind tells us this time it will be ok and we take the drink and then the alcohol takes over. When abstaining we get restless irritable discontented. You could add other manifestations of unmanageability. Anxiety, boredom being paranoid...... you can add more.

Found that i am alcoholic. So been a sober member of AA since 2006. Working the 12 steps helps me live an obsession free life. I go to few meetings and also take a meeting into a correction facility every Sunday. Ping me if you want to pursue the 12 steps will be glad to walk you through the book.

[fauxartist in reply to SoberDrunk1]

Congrats on your sobriety....and yes....structure and support for anyone working on their sobriety is absolute....for many of us old timers we came up through 12 step program, and it works for us. There are over recovery options today if some are not comfortable with the AA platform...but keep it simple, and if it works don't fix it ....

[NeuronerdDoaty]

Well actually if all you had was anxiety 2-4 ounces of alcohol has been shown in many long term studies to be good for you. But if you drink more it’s not and if you’re on meds that’s a problem.

[fauxartist in reply to NeuronerdDoaty]

Many of us are 'Dual Diagnosed'....we have both issues of not only the mental health but also the disease of addiction. So if your not pron to addiction, there is such a thing as a 'Normie'....who can have a drink..I’m not one who thinks everyone is an alcoholic who has a drink..but those who have the disease can't.

[lillyofthevalley37]

What's wrong with a vodka and tonic of an evening ? It's when you need a drink.to get through the day that you have a problem

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

If you're an alcoholic you can't stop with one drink. You have to have more. Alcoholism is a disease.

[fauxartist in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

If the ocean were booze....it wouldn't be enough if you are an alcoholic....and that's something someone who is not can't understand.

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

Indeed but not everyone is an alcoholic Coloradowalker doesn't sound like one

[fauxartist in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

Nobody knows what or who someone’s demons really are or are not....only they do. I would never assume just because someone drinks that they are automatically an alcoholic...but I'll tell you this....after being in recovery for a couple of decades and then some....you sort of pick up on a few 'tells'....but still....no judgment from me.....it's a personal choice.

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to fauxartist]

I guess I am lucky in that I can drink one or two glasses of wine every day and leave it at that

"A day without wine is a day without sunshine" sums it up for me but I never drink spirits

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

I don't want to sound smug ?

[fauxartist in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

I think when ever this subject comes up,...some people can get defensive, I don't care what anyone chooses to do, it's none of my business, nor do I judge anyone on what their choice is. If someone here posts they have a concern about drinking or drug addiction, then I assume they are wanting an honest answer from someone who struggles with the same issues. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't preach about my sobriety or my depression in the real world. This is supposed to be my safe place to be honest. I find it's a subject many here don't want to talk about because so many of us self medicate, and who can blame anyone for doing that...the meds we need, the therapy we need, and the support we need are not there for us usually in the real world. I self medicated for a good number of years, and now I just can't. But that is my choice and mine alone....what someone else does is their choice.

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

Hey if I could stop at one or two glasses of wine a day I'd still be drinking

[Fun-Guy7000]

I completely understand. The problem is that the first thing alcohol does is dull your survival skills. It is the great liar. And unfortunately, those couple drinks will stop being effective at doing anything in the long term because this amazing body of ours will develop a tolerance for most things. I waited until I got my first arrest ever (DUI) to quit and find out why I had to drink. That was almost a year ago now. I am now replacing those alcohol derived endorphins with endorphins released naturally by riding my bike. And really any activity that brings me relaxation works better, like going for a drive in my Jeep to take photographs. My liver is also grateful.

[Coloradowalker in reply to Fun-Guy7000]

In appreciate your post Fun-Guy and the reality is... I probably am an alcoholic even though I’ve never missed a day of work, or had a DUI or had it affect my relationships. And I feel like a loser or cop out to say that I am simply “self medicating” my anxiety but that’s what it has become. I know that I could easily go down the Benzo route but I won’t do that. I know it is essentially the same but don’t need one more thing to feel shame about. I wish that taking deep breaths or positive affirmations or meditation were enough and someday maybe it will be.

[NeuronerdDoaty]

Be kind. Every situation is different.

[SirGrits]

Hey Colorado hang in there brother. I think your self realization in this is a great start. Maybe its time to take a deeper look at whats triggering the need, maybe even with a pro--a therapist or counselor.