Did Anybody Stop Drinking Alcohol Because Of Anxiety/Depression ?

[swanlinnet]

Years ago I used to drink loads of alcohol since it was the only thing I knew that would give me a bit of peace. Today I am teetotal since finding out that Alcohol made matters much worse.

Has anybody else decided to stop drinking alcohol after discovering it made things worse ?

[lisabunny44]

Hi Swanlinnet.... Yes i havent had any alcohol since last september i didnt even drink any over christmas because as you said it only made my anxiety worse another thing i dont drink anymore is redbull, that mixed with vodka is a no no for me... Lisa x

[swanlinnet in reply to lisabunny44]

Hiya Lisa

It's good not having to count on alcohol to settle us . Red Bull also was what I used to have but it really wired me : ) : ) : )

There must be loads of people who depend on alcohol to settle them and I feel really sorry fro them because the side effects are horrendous .

Have a good evening , Vince : )

[happyjackandjoan in reply to lisabunny44]

yes I have it was hard when my dad and mother die

[lisabunny44]

yes i agree.. im so glad i dont drink anymore...I would even have redbull in with wine, strange mixture i know!!! But now the smell of it makes me feel sick i didnt even miss a small glass of baileys over christmas... Lisa

[swanlinnet in reply to lisabunny44]

One good thing too Lisa is alcohol has high calories ....Being teetotal has this as onespin off

[JB2156]

I've been teetotal for a year and a half now, which has been hard considering I'm only 21, so all my friends go out drinking regularly. I feel much better for it though, as alcohol made my anxiety much worse.

JB x

[swanlinnet in reply to JB2156]

Well done JB. Lots of young people are teetotal today. You are sure to meet friends of the same persuasion as you go on in life. Life will open up

[leehow79]

Alchol is well known 4 causin panick attacks but its not proven weather people drink bcause of panick or weather its the alchol that causes the panick. i would imagine that lots of people turn 2 alchol or drugs 2 self medicate wiv such a nasty illness, who could blame them but this is not the awnser. i dnt drink myself but since sufferin wiv this demon hav thought about it, but at the sametime no it would worsen matters + is definatly bst lft alone. alchol is not the awnser.

[thunderacer]

Think I must be strange, when I am well I like a drink, socially that is! Vary rarelly drink alone at home think it is more the going to pubs and talking to people I like, but when I get depressed , I stop drinking altogether, don't like it, makes me feel worse! Makes me have ringing in my ears when I try to sleep and I don't go out when depressed so maybe that is why I don't enjoy it when I'm ill.

[Chopper1975]

I haven't given up alcohol but I have certainly cut down massively. Nowadays I just have a couple of social drinks rather than drinking loads like I used to. I personally find that hangovers increase my anxiety and puts me on edge. Of course alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed and less anxious at the time of drinking. More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, but it's short lived and the next day you'll feel worse and more anxious. It's not worth it. At the end of the day alcohol is a depressant, and does just that.

[garbomber in reply to Chopper1975]

Hi i am finally finding the alcohol is making me worse the next day and am trying to cut down. Im finding it diificult how did you get through it? Im like you i dont want to stop totally just to be able to drink as and when socially!

[Chopper1975 in reply to garbomber]

Hi Garbomber. Apologies it's taken me ages to reply, I haven't been online much lately. All I can really say is just try your best. For me the heightened anxiety when hungover bothered me to much so I just decided to cut my drinking down. It was hard when out but after a while it just becomes the norm. What you don't want to do is stop going out. Just simply try your best and see how it goes. Not the greatest answer I know but you'll get there. Be strong and good luck.

[garbomber in reply to Chopper1975]

Thanks for that Chopper i am trying, it is hard but at least i know about it doesn't always stop me but helps me cut down. It's a bad habit that's been there a long time before i had these kind of problems. I'm hoping to try therapy soon as other issues with it, so hopefully will help.

Good luck to you too.