Hi,
I am not a person who used to drink much, but my recent excessive anxiety has sent me drinking, for which I feel horribly guilty. Sometimes it calms me, but it sometimes also has a rebound effect, i.e. the anxiety comes back worse after the effect of alcohol wears off. Anyone has had recourse to alcohol for anxiety? Did you get out of it? How? I've started to see a professional who treats alcohol related problems, but I will take all the advice you can give me.
Hello Eklektik-
I have had generalized anxiety most of my life but it became cronic panic disorder about 30 years ago when I was 21. The best thing I have ever done was to see a psychiatrist who works with my medications. I'm not one to take meds unless absolutely necessary, but I do take Paxil and it helps my panic immensely. I use it in conjunction with CBT including self-talk and relaxation and I am doing incredibly well. Don't be afraid to try meds, it may make all the difference in your quality of life.
Thank you KMBW. It is so nice to know you are doing incredibly well. I'm kind of desparate at the moment. I am seeing a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety. The anxiety med (rivotril) does not work. I am also seeing a psychologist and started participating in an auto-management of anxiety workshop. I've suffered of depression on and off for 35 years, and at the moment ACT therapy is what works best. I am willing to give another try at CBT. Thank you so much for your response and keep on going well 
My sister fell into this rut. It can be a dangerous one because what it is. Self medicating. What has been a help to get me on the right med is having a genetic tests that can tell you which meds will be effective. Also having a med you can take in combination with CBT for break through anxiety to get you started and help you feel more control. First step is acknowledging what you were doing so congrats that you had that awareness!
What a cute kitty!! Here’s one of my beasts!
I have noticed I have struggled with this too! I don’t ever get close to drunk but in my head I think alcohol helps when it doesn’t. Maybe try asking for some ‘as needed’ medication, to use when you’re craving the alcohol?
I'll do that, thanks!
Dear itswheremydemonshide, congrats on this most respectable period of sobriety. I sympathize with you on the daily struggle with alcohol. My father was an alcoholic and suffered tremendously. As I know there is a genetic component to alcohol, I am very concerned with my consumption at the moment. I'm glad marijuana makes it possible for you to still be here. I wish you luck with the psychiatrist and therapist and your other health issues. I think you nailed it, and I needed the refresher, taking it day by day. Sometimes it is even breath by breath. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi meditation helped me with alcohol. I discovered that I was unable to meditate after drinking and meditation helped with A&D more than alcohol.
I think here is just the place to practice not being so quiet. We are all here to share our stories, concerns, victories. What we say is almost bound to help someone in some way and it seems there is always someone around to help and comfort. Be well!
Seeing a new doctor and psychiatrist can be nothing but a good thing. Hopefully they are familiar with problems of addiction. If you’re still craving alcohol on a daily basis after three years of doing without, it may be an indication of what you have been doing isn’t working. Congratulations on not drinking for over three years. It takes a lot of strength to do that. I’ve been sober for twenty years and I understand what you are going through. I’ve been there. Good luck to you. 👍🏼
Hello hun,
Yes I believe alcohol messed with our mental health more common depression and anxiety!!!
Instead of talking a beer maybe take juice???
Take care
I agree. What relieves me a bit is a tall glass of very cold water. It does not have the same effect though 
Thanks.
Hi Eklektik, I feel your pain I suffered from anxiety for years and self medicated with beer, wine you name it. Like you it made me feel better but after it wore off i was in hell! I went to Dr. and was diagnosed with panic /anxiety disorder I was put on valium and paxil and it worked but after awhile it worked to good i had no emotions at all. So i stopped them and the withdrawls were not good. Then my Dr. told me that my anxiety / panic was caused by a chemical imbalance and i needed to balance the Gaba /Serotonin in my brain he said that modern medicine only keeps what Gaba /Serotonin you have from going out but not replace whats lost from drinking etc.So he suggested a nutritional route , I started researching how get more Gaba /Serotonin in my brain ,first stop drinking next get a good quality Gaba/L theanine supplement Kal is a good one. Next to boost serotonin start exercising and I found that a high protein low carb diet helped also . Supplement with tart cherry extract , it helps boost Serotonin by slowing the break down of tryptophan and boosts melatonin . Sorry this so long ,this is what worked for me so research and see if you want to try, also get a high quality Omega3 fish oil to help heal your brain. Hope this helps !
I so agree with you regarding our inadequate health system as well as the mental health part. I also have severe anxiety and depression …treatment resistant…self medicated with alcohol. There wasn’t medical marijuana around to try when I was trying to stop drinking. I have tried MM for anxiety, but it made it worse. But with all that, I did find a solution for my drinking which helped with my a&d.😊
Hello Isinatra, thank you for giving me hope. Treatment resistant depression and anxiety is exactly what I have. I am struggling with drinking. I started seeing a counselor for it. It's nice to know people find solutions. Do you mind me asking you what was yours?
I finally tried the only thing left to try, a twelve step program. I went even with my a&d. I just listened with an open mind at first. I couldn’t talk, like so many others there. I wanted to bolt and run, but I kept going back. I stayed because of the kindness. Strangers became my friends. My need to stop drinking overcame my fears. Things settled down, my life became better. It’s a simple explanation, but it’s my story.
The 12 step program is on my radar for sure. My dad went to AA for decades. He had some dry periods, but never really stopped. I know other people for whom it went well like you. I am glad you found the help you needed! And I thank for sharing your experience. Be well!
I am of you as well. Keep trying. It’s worth it.
Hi Gordo! What a lot of new information to me! I'm seeing my psychiatrist soon and I will ask her about Gaba and Serotonin balance. I find you very generous for giving all this information. Thanks so much and be well!
Hi Eklektik , I forgot to mention cbd I do use to help keep me calm and balance issues caused by a concussion, make sure you get a good quality one I make my own from hemp buds so I get the full plant spectrum. 😊
Hi Eklektik. I appreciate you reaching out for help with this, it's not easy to give up some sort of relief.I have problems with alcohol. Being on an anti-depressant, alcohol gives me severe anxiety and panic when it wares off and sometimes while I'm drinking, so I don't drink now.
What has helped me stabilize my anxiety is CBD (cannabidiol, from the hemp plant with no THC that gets you high like marijuana). Marijuana had helped me before, but I become dependent on the high, so that doesn't work. CBD keeps my anxiety levels at bay and I feel more relaxed.
There are local hemp stores near me that sell a variety of CBD products. I used to use the drops you put in your mouth, but lately I've just been using a 25 mg chapstick often throughout the day and for some reason that helps me the most.
I have a book written by a Native American who has struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. He related it to his Native American spiritual teachings that alcohol has a 'spirit' that you take from to get what you need, in this case relief (like many others). But that 'spirit' will end up taking from you, too, as if you owe it something. The book is called "Path of Purpose: Apply the Ancient Anishinaabe Teachings" by Everett LaFromboise, Asinaabe Inini. He also talks about "feasting" with the spirits in order to get guidance from the good spirits, it's pretty interesting.
Sorry for the wall of text lol. Good luck to you <3
Hello Current Joy, I can see you totally get where I am right now. I'm sorry you had to go throught it yourself. I'll definitely look into CBD. The Native American experience looks very interesting. Thanks so much for your post, it really helps. Be well!
I've tried to use alchol but it was just too much for me...what helped me was taking CBD gummies they help you relax alot without any of the other side effects
You make me even more determined to look into it! Thanks!
I’m rooting for you!! We all start somewhere. I don’t know much about maryjane however I do know as an ER nurse for quite a few years that I can’t recall one time a patient was brought in to the ER for that alone. Drinking, a few times a day. Drugs, even more often. It’s your battle and I’m only here to help not judge!
Any time. I’m so proud of you for your self awareness and to seek help when needed. 👍
Thanks for understanding, and thanks for the tale of caution. I am seeing a counselor now about alcohol consumption, and my psychiatrist adjusted my med to alleviate the anxiety. I am keeping my fingers crossed it will work. I hope you are well.
ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It is a next generation from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is not based solely on logic. It is based on accepting what you are suffering from and not fight it, the fight just making it worse. It makes you consider your thoughts differently, how often they consolidate your suffering and uses your values as basis for commitment. It starts from what you want. There is also a component more or less meditational. A better explanation is given here positivepsychology.com/act-... It is what has worked the best for me with depression.
Maybe I am answering twice, I'm a bit lost in the thread. ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It is a next generation from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is not based solely on logic. It is based on accepting what you are suffering from and not fight it, the fight just making it worse. It makes you consider your thoughts differently and uses your values as basis for commitment. It starts from what you want. There is also a component more or less meditational. A better explanation is given here positivepsychology.com/act-... It is what has worked the best for me with depression.
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