Anxiety

[ScouserA]

Hi I am 7 months alcohol free and was wondering at this point did anyone suffer with really bad anxiety? I'm wondering if it's my brain trying to repair itself, I've read it can take 2 years for the brain to repair itself from alcohol damage.

[Isinatra]

Hi,scouser. Some people drink to self medicate for different reasons/problems. When they start depending on alcohol for relief, the problems are still there and when stopping, not only does the person have to face the problems that were created by the alcohol, the original problems are still there as well. Therapy can be needed to help with sorting all that. And yes, alcohol damages neurons in the brain. How much damage depends on the usage of the individual over time and the same applies to how long and to what extent the damage will repair itself after stopping drinking. Sometimes the damage is irreversible. There are no exact time tables for this yet because of the variables of each individual. The jury is still out on that. I started because of my anxiety. When I finally stopped, I had to find ways to deal with the increased anxiety. I chose therapy and meds and AA in addition to keep me from drinking. The sooner a person stops drinking the better chances the drinker has to have a better life. Science, to this day, doesn’t know when the damage to the brain begins. I hope this helps you in determining which course of action to take. It does get better. 🍀

[ScouserA in reply to Isinatra]

Thank you for replying. I am going to the doctors tomorrow, do you mind me asking what meds you take as I have tried prozac and they don't help. I have tried CBT a few years ago and this didn't help at all hence why I stopped drinking to eleviate the anxiety, but it's crept back all of a sudden.

[Isinatra in reply to ScouserA]

In 1975, my first med was adapin. It’s an old drug and it helped a lot, but I struggled with stopping drinking and my therapy was erratic. Treatment for anxiety was in its early stages and treatment was hit and miss. I’ve tried mostly all meds, but I’m one of those that meds didn’t help because of my sensitivity to side effects. I was on Zoloft for four years and the side effects were minimal, but it stopped working. Meds alone sometimes aren’t enough. But that’s just me and that was then. Don’t let my story discourage you. Over the years, I’ve gathered other tools to help me. Many people have greatly benefited from meds and therapy. If one thing doesn’t work, try another, but don’t stop trying.

[ScouserA in reply to Isinatra]

Thank you so much I won't stop trying I wish you health and happiness ✨️

[Isinatra]

I can’t end this without congratulating you on your seven months of sobriety. 💪🏼

I know I’ve said a lot and it’s a lot to think about. Take things slow and be good to yourself for you are the most important person. 😊

[ScouserA in reply to Isinatra]

How very kind of you, brought a tear that 😢

Yes agree, hopefully I start feeling better thank you 💯❤

[Isinatra in reply to ScouserA]

🤗

[secrets22]

Well done you.

I used to be a heavy drinker but i came off it a long time ago, and i had no withdrawal problems,and now i can have a glass of wine occasionally but end up only drinking half a glass,for some reason it does'nt like me anymore. I did think i needed alcohol to give me confidence because i was/am quite shy,but in truth that was not true,i function ok without it.

[ScouserA in reply to secrets22]

oh how wonderful you feel you don't need alcohol for confidence. I think i masked a lot of trauma with alcohol and as I gradually drank more I feel I've definitely damaged my nerves as I have fibromyalgia and I'm sure it's down to drinking. Thank you for your message I'm glad your well 😊

[SoberDrunk1]

For me it just took few days or maybe a week for all emotions to come un-glued. It was then, the 12 steps of AA came into use. I had to change so I can handle the emotions. Work of Eckhart Tolle also helped a lot understanding how the mind operates.

[ScouserA in reply to SoberDrunk1]

I keep meaning to read Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now. I think that's my next read thanks 😊

[SoberDrunk1 in reply to ScouserA]

A New earth has more life examples. I have few topics that help people get hold of where he is coming from:

10-The voice in the head

27 Role playing

40-The pain body

41-This is true about any life form

42-The voice of the Ego (Duck with a Human Mind)

43 Carrying the past

44 The Pain Body

45 How the pain body feeds your thought.

61 is that so 

73 can you hear the mountain stream?

[ScouserA in reply to SoberDrunk1]

Ahh thank you I will take a look 😊