There are basically 6 reasons why alcohol consumption and hangovers make many people anxious and I’m going tell you what they are. I want to share this with you so that you can be more informed and avoid becoming alcohol’s punching bag.
Ever since I became sick with nervous illness I’ve heard a lot of people say that anxiety sufferers should not drink alcohol because it makes you more nervous than you already are.
I’ve always found this to be ironic because there are so many anxiety sufferers that drink alcohol to cope with their anxiety, but true it is.
Now, the fact that alcohol can cause anxiety is just that, a fact. It is a scientifically based understanding, so this is not simple conjecture on my part.
Will alcohol affect all people this way? Probably not, but as an anxiety sufferer you should be aware of the possible pitfalls of alcohol consumption, so pay close attention.
Scientists believe that alcohol causes or at least increases anxiety in 6 basic ways and here they are.
1. Mood
Alcohol can affect our mood because it can affect the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a feel good brain chemical that when in short supply can cause feelings of anxiety and depression.
A drop in blood sugar can cause dizziness, confusion, weakness, nervousness, shaking and numbness. These symptoms can most certainly trigger a bout of anxiety.
3. Dehydration
This has been known to cause nausea, dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness and muscle weakness. These symptoms wouldn’t cause anxiety per say but they add to a sense of illness which fosters anxiety.
4. Nervous System
The nervous system is affected because in order for the body to fight off the sedative effects of alcohol it puts the body into a state of hyperactivity in order to counteract this effect. This hyperactivity can lead to shaking, light/sound sensitivity and sleep deprivation.
5. Heart Rate
Your heart rate can become elevated as a result of consuming alcohol which can cause a palpitation false alarm and put you into a state of anxious anticipation. Is it a heart attack or isn’t it you might ask. This “what if” questioning can increase your general state of anxiety.
6. Concentration
A hard night of drinking can also make you hazy, bring on headaches and create a sense of disorientation.
So if you’re going to have a glass of wine with dinner I don’t think you should be concerned. On the other hand, if you’re a heavy drinker, or binge drinker, then this might cause a real problem for you.
According to The Times Online, scientists don’t know exactly why all this happens but they do suggest that you eat before drinking, drink water in between drinks, and stay in bed if you are hung over to avoid all the problems I outlined above.
Some would say that maybe you shouldn’t drink at all if you have an anxiety disorder – that’s debatable. Do you think that alcohol should be avoided at all cost when someone has an anxiety disorder?
I don’t think that alcohol should be avoided if drinking is part of your social repertoire, however, I also know that moderation and good sense should be your guide.
In addition, although alcohol does have a sedative effect it should not be used as a coping tool. This type of behavior can lead to alcoholism and worse yet, more anxiety.
So if you know that you’re a light weight, or if you already know that alcohol makes you anxious, don’t bother. Maybe I don’t need to say it, but really some people just don’t know when to say no.
Note: I want to hear your opinions. Let me know what you think about this issue – comment below.
Update
After waiting forever I finally completed a podcast for this article. Press play to listen now.
J,
Living is learning. Your input has got me thinking of my past. Use to be in a band and traveled around,I have always been a guy who everyone can hang with, not the life of the party, but close when I have a beer in my hand. I think they refer to this as “social anxiety”. I definetely have it. Being around people without drinking some beer first triggers anxiety and after a hard days work when you just wanna relax, being expected to be social is a tremendous strain on someone like me. I will say that the xanax helped, but increases my urge to drink the next day for sure, thats why I am leary of meds, “there’s always a strange side effect for me.” I am not a relegious freek, but I will say that I have become closer to God in the past couple months after attending a new church. . It helps me alot, and even though I may suffer at times I find strength in God.
Thanks for the comment J
Frank P.
Frank..
ya i hear ya, i’m definitely “mr social” when i’m half drunk, and when i dont drink at all, i’m kinda reserved and dont say much. I wish i could be socially the way i am when i am drinking. I too have to take xanax at times, and even took half of one last nite.. I drank about 9 beers thurs, and the same friday, and about 5 last nite, so i’m not crawling out of my skin yet, but can feel the “anxiety” and just feeling kinda crappy sinking in… I usually abstain for 2 days after feeling like this, then i feel “mostly” normal…then repeat the cycle..Again, i’ll repeat, that in my case in particular, i probably drink i think to “feel good” again..After 3-4 beers i start to feel the “fun” feeling, and i know the MORE “fun” feeling you get, and the more you drink, the more like crap you will feel the next day…its a vicious cycle…
ps..nothing wrong with believeing in god and going to church:) thats a good thing.. I havent gone many years myself, but believe in being good to others, and in god..
Hello Everyone,
Its funny because at the top its say that one drink won’t hurt anything but that is not the case for me. I had one glass of wine last night with dinner and my sleep was on the lowest level of sleep.. I was having anxiety in my sleep and couldn’t get my mind to just shut down and relax. I notice it only increases like this when I consume even a glass of red wine or when I am anxious about something like an event. I feel everyones pain up above I go through all of the similiar things like social anxiety and just plain anxiety. I am a single mother so I tend to worry a lot about life in general or bad things that could happen! SUCKS! Ne-who I am not big on pills to ease pain or help with moods I just run or excercise and try to keep a clean diet and I find that helps tremendously!
Well, best of wishes to everyone! And P.S. Frank I need to get myself into going to church… I know it will help!
Hi all!
How are you all doing?
I’m on Day 14 and doing really well. I haven’t been thinking about drinking at all, other than when I watch films and see actors drinking and think, ‘Urgh, glad I’m not that in real life at the moment’. Usually I get to the two week stage and want to drink again. Not this time.
Things are a little bit different. I went to see a therapist last week to get some counseling. We had an intake for about 2 1/2 hrs. I told her about drinking and anxiety and my other issues and how I wanted counseling but possibly some Wellbutrin. She was amazing and says she can definitely help me and I liked her a lot, so I’m going to start weekly sessions as of next week.
Just giving up alcohol doesn’t turn our life around to how we want it, in ways that we might expect. It’s a bit more complicated that that, as we all know. I used to give up for a while expecting fantastic things to start happening in my life as if it was that black and white. Well, I am still having occasional anxiety, but nothing like when I drank but I am still not completely anxiety-free. I still suffer from depression and have issues with my lack of motivation in general, physically and mentally. My diet is excellent, I eat organic, low carbs, low calorie intake, minimal sugar and fats, drink nothing other than water and do my best to keep stress out of my life as much as I can. I’d say my stress levels are reasonably low. Am not married and have no children. I’ve been self-employed with a very small business for 16 years so no issue with a boss or politics and the business ticks over.
So I’d say I’m just trying to do the ‘one day at a time thing’ for now and see how this therapy can help me get rid of some internal skeletons and I guess go from there. I’m fairly positive but am trying to be reasonable in not expecting any miracles to happen overnight, if that doesn’t sound too melancholic.
Hope you are all doing okay. This group has been silent lately, so I’m hoping no news is good news?
Sounds like you are doing great Ruth! Fantastic!
Diet is a huge part of wellness so good for you for establishing a good one. Therapy is a great tool as well which I look forward to every week. I’m doing okay. I’m not abstaining, doing my usual weekend thing but it’s definitely lost its luster. Last night I was having some glasses of wine and started feeling that buzzy/sloppy feeling when I am approaching having enough yet will continue. Well, I stopped right there and called it a night. It’s definitely progress for me. I’m learning that drinking two bottles of wine nightly on the weekend is just not fun anymore.
I’m watching my consumption closely. I feel the strength gathering from within to create a new healthy life for myself. Whether that means continued decreasing the alcohol or quitting altogether remains to be seen. Either way it’s a good sign.
Hope everyone is having a happy and healthy weekend!
Ruth, so glad to hear your doing good……i’ve been drinking still all week and took one day off, and had about 8 light beers last nite (well actually over a 6 hour perioid i had about 8)…Anyways….I’m curious, what did your therapist say about the anxiety and alcohol correlation?? Did they say that there is a definite connection, have they witnessed it before?? I’m just curious what the professionals say about alcohol and anxiety ?….
Hi Todd and J:
Thanks for the encouragement.
Todd: You sound like you’re doing great too. It is hard to get to that stage where once you start drinking you can stop. All too often the discipline has long since gone. It’s not so hard for me at the moment as I don’t have to work too much at the moment and am living in a place where I don’t get a lot of visitors, so not so many friends to twist my arm. During the holidays I’m off to the Midwest to see lots of old friends and it’ll be Christmas party time, so I’m a bit concerned with that as all my friends are so used to bringing over decent bottles of red wine since I cook a lot when I stay. Also, my friends are all singers or gig a lot so I go to see them perform, which of course means I’ll be tempted to drink then. Social anxiety thing. Bit worried if I can do what you just did this weekend. Did you notice that you felt better today?
J: Well the session was just an intake so we didn’t get that much into the alcohol/anxiety correlation. Mostly it was her listening to my info and typing it in with lots of questions. However, I see my new Dr (as opposed to therapist) on Friday, so I will let you know what she says about it. I would think since it’s a clinic aimed specifically at anxiety and depression or ‘mental behavior’, that she is bound to talk about it somewhat.
I do feel better today than I would have had I continued, that is for sure. I know what you mean about the triggers (social events). By far that is my biggest test. If I can learn to hang out with friends or go to events without a drink in my hand, holy cow then I would be on 3rd base rounding for home. (Right now I’m holding steady at 2nd).
One thing I really hate is after drinking, the way your thoughts turn to dark and fear-based patterns. Some of the scenerios I think up after a night of boozing is just crazy. Like a scary movie running in my head. Another prime motivator to decrease and discontinue.
I wish I had a solution for you with the seeing friends and holiday thing. Still looking for one myself. The best advice I can think of is just keep doing what you’re doing, it’s working. And if you slip? Big deal. Get back up, dust yourself off, and get back on the health horse and ride.
Todd….Dude, i can relate so much to what you experience after drinking its scary almost!! . Especially the social anxiety after drinking(or more importantly before drinking) and the dark fear based thoughts after a nite of drinking…….I experience that 100%….Just “dark” , morbid, sad, solemn thoughts and dreams after drinking……..Why is this?
J,
I think this is to do with withdrawals or partial withdrawals (the latter meaning drinking some, then suddenly stopping, then drinking lots, then stopping, etc). Maybe I am wrong.
This year I took a 6 week trip to Europe. On a bit of a whim I decided to visit an old friend/ex in Scandinavia whom I hadn’t seen for 27 years who had a really big drinking problem back in the day but had since gotten pretty clean to a place where he could be an occasional drinker. Not hard to be clean over there as it is EXTREMELY expensive to drink there. He said, after hearing how much alcohol I had been consuming, and hearing all about Xanax (which he didn’t know existed), that I should really abstain from alcohol not for times here and there but to really abstain for a LONG time, like at least a year, to see how I would really feel and it got me wondering.
What I’m saying is I wonder because it seems a lot of us on this group fall off the wagon and get back on again and again, are not really giving our bodies chance to REALLY abstain properly?
So maybe we are not seeing any decent or fully fledged recovery. I’m wondering this as one time I gave up drinking for a year and a half. It made a huge difference in my life in seeing the real ‘me’ come out. The lifestyle changes I started to make then were really good ones. I was as fit as a fiddle, didn’t spend hours on the computer and got on my bike a lot. No morbid thoughts went through my head. I started writing poetry and got into cycling around the countryside more and enjoyed solitude a lot more than I do now. (Anxiety and solitude I’ve found are not the best of friends, anyone else noticed this? Anxiety = insecurity for me which I HATE).
So I’m questioning whether these dark moods and solemn thoughts are because we are not truly clean? I get them a lot. I know two weeks is not a lot of time to be sober for goodness sake, but I wonder how long the process of clearing out the system entirely actually takes?
First point, alcohol is a depressant,..secondly alcohol interrupts our sleep patterns..we may believe that we are sleeping well, when we have drunk, but in fact we do not engage in that mode of “deep sleep” that our bodies require to recuperate, this is what creates our anxiety,the lack of sleep increases our stress levels, we enter that “fight or flight” mode ( often completely unaware) and it would seem a “nice few drinks” is the answer in helping to remove that “edge”
Taking antidepressants while still over indulging on alcohol does not help, because alcohol will exacerbate the “low moods” so antidepressants are merely trying to combat an exaggerated state of low mood, which has been brought on by the beers!…trust me, I have been through all this too!..
all the best!!
I am a social drinker generally, but a couple months ago I began blacking out every time I drank (trying to balance out my adderall(sp?) medication and smoking weed probably weren’t helping).
It severely affected my relationship so I quit all of the above and have found a lot of great, constructive activities to fill my time. However, I recently started going out more again and it’s getting a little difficult with everyone around me drinking. I gave in 2weeks ago and smoked pot, big mistake,(had horrible anxiety and depression for days) but luckily that one’s wearing off. Then this weekend I drank pretty consistently the whole weekend without ever getting “drunk”.
The last few days I’ve felt irritable and a little depressive. Even though alcohol leaves your system within hours, is it possible that it could still be affecting my mood? I’ve been really happy since I quite, so that’s why I make the correlation, but I could wrong, it seems strange that alcohol would still make me sad and anxious days after drinking.
Fizzy, thats actually the 10,000 dollar question that i’d like to get an answer to….Because it should be true that alcohol DOES leave your systems like you say — within hours….However alot of people on here make suggestions of the anxiety, depression, “not feeling right” for days, or even a week or two later……That i dont understand AT all…–since theoretically alcohol is supposed to be out of your system in hours..
Hi J
Mate,..I’m no Doctor or Expert, but I have done a lot of research into this, and most of it has been practical!
J
I’m convinced that it the lack of “true sleep” that puts us in this state.
When we over indulge on alcohol we simply do not enter the “deep sleep” state that our bodies and minds require, and furthermore, when this brings on anxiety and depression, we can quickly find ourselves spiralling downwards, and continuing a cycle.
Have a little google around for the importance of sleep and how alcohol effects sleep etc.
We easily forget that alcohol is also messing with our minds and anxiety and depression mess with our perceptions.
Hope this goes a little way to helping
Oh Yeah!!..and J?..sorry for the two “J’s” in the last post!..not sure what was going on there!!
oops!
Lack of sleep is absolutely a big part of it. When we drink it seems like passing out drunk would be a good way to get a nights rest. . WRONG! I too have researched this and even had the sleep test done back in the day when I could actually afford insurance. I have a sleeping disorder aswell and the less I am able to enter R.E.M the more my anxiety and depression grow the following day and thereafer depending on how bad it gets. BUT, you also have to understand that “clinical” Depression and or Anxiety can be an inability of your body in producing certain chemicals. So if you suffer from clinical depression and are already low on “seritonin,” then drinking alchohol (which is a depressant) will further that defeciency for much longer opposed to someone who’s body naturally produces these chemicals and will bounce back much quicker. Whenever I have been on Anti-Depressants, I can drink like a fish and never feel hungover or anxious. Thats NOT a good thing though! And as for weed. . .I use to smoke weed and thoroughly enjoy myself to say the least. In a recent post I stated that as long as I dont drink I can smoke weed and not get anxiety. Well I must of jinxed myself. . LOL. . well I can laugh now. I havent drank in almost three weeks, but this past weekend I went camping and a friend of mine fired up a joint first thing in the morning of some medicenal marijuana from cali. . HOLY SHIT. . I had the worst panic attack that I have had in years! It was horrible. I felt like I was going to explode.I am convinced that it will also cause panic attacks for sure! I think getting older and having so many responsibilities also henders on recreation of any type that has to do with drinking or smoking. It’s a combination of things as you get older and learning your happy medium is the best avenue in my opinion.
Frank P.
Frank.
I also used to be not a “huge” marijuana smoker, but would have a couple tiny hits a nite,and alot of the time i felt REALLLY “fuN” and in a good mood, but after a while i noticed that i would get bad anxiety sometimes after taking a few hits, but more so “later that nite” or even after waking up at 2am….I stopped the “smoke” for about 6 months or longer now, and i still get anxiety, but when “high” from smoke, it seems that if i got a panic attack it would be MUCH harder to “curb” than when drinking….just a thought?
I’ve talked to a lot of people who experience this anxiety high, but part of the reason I enjoyed smoking is because I’m always relaxed as long as it’s still taking effect. It isn’t until the next day or day and a half that I really start to feel agitated.
Frank
Spot, on Mate!…One of my problems, too, was over-indulgence, it was ver rare that I could only one or two beers,..I never drank during the week, but once a week on a Saturday,I often used to end up getting wankered!( AND not eat before i went on the beers)
I smoked too ( normal ciggies) and we easily overlook what a massive effect smoking has on producing anxiety, but the point was, after a Saturday night..I would crawl into bed and pass out ( not sleep) get up late the next day, scratch around for my ciggies battle through the next days, feeling tension and anxiety..by Thursday or Friday, this would have lifted, and by Saturday night I was back on the beers, continuing the cycle.
I have suffered from depression and anxiety too… I mis-used alcohol from an early age ( I had great problems on the home front when I was a kid-as I am sure many many people have) I understand that my negative core values were formed at the time of my early troubles, but I am convinced that the regular alcoholic binges over time where the ultimate contributing factor to depression and anxiety.
btw, does anybody else smoke,…not just green, but straight, normal ciggies?..because the relationship between nicotine and alcohol is also very interesting.
Ali..
to reply back to your question about smoking and alcohol…Well I do not smoke, but i’m an avid “tobacco chewer” for many years.. And they say one dip of tobacco has the nicotene of like 5 cigarettes or something like that.. I have noticed before, and even posed that question here a while back about if anyone else notices increased anxiety when hungover AND combined with tobacco…..I personally cannot prove it, but since i chew tobacco i notice that when i’m REALLY hungoer the next day, or even modereately hungover actually, that if i put in a nice big dip of tobacco my anxiety SPIKES within a few minutes….Now, i dont know if this is just a coincidence of waking up and then the anxiety kicking in, OR if its the tobacco, but i would swear that on many many occasions i felt fine, and then shortly after using tobacco i would feel MUCH MUCH more “like shit”, and have anxiety….Now its a well proven FACT that nicotene/tobacco increases heart rate, and blood pressure(before anyone chimes in with that revelation), but —is there a TRUE correlation of the tobacco causing,/increasing anxiety, and especially while drinking?? I’ve also noticed that when i use tobacco the SAME nite as drinking, that i sometimes feel the anxiety while chewing tobacco, and then it seems after i stop using the tobacco i feel fine after about 20 minutes–but then of course its about time for another dip at that point…….endless cycle….
Hi J
Great post!!
I always noticed how, when i drank, the smoking level would go through the roof!..I could cane two packs in a night while on the beers…but when sober I would smoke, say, one pack per day.
There does seem to be a correlation between alcohol and nicotine.
May I be so bold as to suggest googling for “Alcohol and Nicotine”
there is some fine information on the subject and written far more succinctly than I could ever manage
Also after we have chewed or smoked our tobacco, it takes circa 10 minutes for our cravings to return, so that we start to think about our next nicotine hit…craving = anxiety, so tobacco usage is constantly causing anxiety..and as you rightly pointed out,…so the cycle continues,..combine this with alcohol too..and, Hey Presto!…Issues!
Large amounts of caffeine also seem to be a problem for me. I have always battled insomnia until my Doctor asked me how many caffeinated drinks I had in a day. Until I counted I didn’t realize with coffee and diet pepsi I must have been up to 6-8 caffeinated drinks in a day. I am now down to one 16 ounce of coffee a day but would even sleep better at night if I could permanently switch to green tea – yuck!
As far as drinking. That has to go. There are times If I limit my intake to 5 drinks or less in a night I feel okay the next day. Any higher than that amount I feel the anxiety for two-three days. I am taking the steps now to go off. If it for life then so be it. I have no hope of quitting smoking while drinking and nicotine is my next target.
I just would love to be my old self again. I never minded flying, driving long distances, heights..etc..etc…now for some damn reason I feel too anxious when I do these activities.
Maxx
That is too true!..trying to combat the tiredness with caffeine!
We become like walking drug stores!..so many different chemicals inside us! and what is more we continue “that” cycle
Im 41 years old, and had some partying this weekend!! have drunk on Friday and Saturday evenings, the first time in a long time..and smoked too!…same shit, different day!
Im not beating myself up about it though, because I accept that I chose to go out and do this, just as next weekend I will chose something more sedentary.
(I believe that when we decide to “own” the problem, we take back some modicum of control.It is when we feel guilt and shame for drinking that we excite the sense of anxiety)
BUT I did have too many beers again, and with the beers come the smokes..and my throat is not having a very enjoyable and peaceful Sunday, at all.
Today is smoke free, and no problem, but I am very tired, but have made sure not to drink more than 2 coffees I have indulged in a short doze, but will be away early tonight!
It all goes together, drink, smokes,( herb or baccy) caffeine, lack of real sleep.
I think when we start to list all the contributing factors,..(when we see this chemical soup that is swimming around inside of us…that which we have ingested, and that which is already there, just waiting to react)…it seems to become more obvious as to what we should do…….
About 7 years ago I ended up in intensive care whilst on holiday in Spain. This was my “Reward” for about 10 years of hard drinking and heavy smoking. My stomach had began to bleed heavily, I was given a blood transfusion (6 pints of blood in all) and was informed that my stomach very nearly had to be removed, but luckily after a week it stopped bleeding on its own. I used to drink alot of very cheap cider which I still hold responsible (as well as myself for being stupid enough to rely on alchol so much for escapism) for the illness. I never had a drink for 7 months after being ill, and even then it was only ever 2 pints. But gradually I have started drinking more, i only ever drink Bitters or Smooth beers, no cider, no spirits, no lager even. And even though I may only get really drunk 6-7 times a year I live in constant anxiety that I am heading for another mass blood loss. Especially for several days after a large binge, I am convinced that my stomach is bleeding and I am going to die, which then kicks in the Depression. Would love to speak to anyone who has sufferered alcohol related internal bleeding to see how they have coped and if they continue to drink? Thanks for reading, Wayne
Hi my name is Drew imam 38 years old now, and have suffered form anxiety and panic for the last 20 years..i go out drinking about twice a month and when i go out i always seem to drink to much i think its because the anxiety leaves me for that night and i feellike i can take on the world..
but then the next day comes my eyes are so dull in my head my stomach is so sick my heart is rasing i feel so shaky and i feel like i cant get my breath ..in my head i want to go to hospital because i feel so bad and think im dying it may sound silly but to me its as real as it gets..i wont answer the phone to anybody only to ring family members to tell them how bad i am but they have heard this story before and they dont want to listen to much. although we all get along well…i have daughter and she has seen me this way and i feel so guilty for her to have to see me this unwell..i say im never going to do it again but i always seem to do..
Today is tuesday and im still very unwell from a night i had out the previous friday thats four days later i dont know why i do this to myself i would not wish it on anybody..just thought id share in case it may have happened to someone else.. big thanks to paulfor opening this page..
peace out
Drew
Drew , sounds like you experience same exact symptoms as many on this forum… First of all, i’d like to say that since you say you only drink twice a month, you definitely are NOT an alcoholic–EVEN by “society’s” standards…. I’m curious though, what do you drink, and how much during these twice a month benders?? So far every person on here who gets the bad anxiety attacks has mainly been a “wine’ drinker, but some are hard liquor.. I’ve never heard anyone on here post so far who is a “light beer” drinker, or even beer drinker..My other question is , how bad is your anixety/panic the rest of the month when your not drinking at all?
Hi j thank for your reply ..well i would drink alot when i go out because the anxiety is gone for that while but to answer your question i could drink about 13 or 14 pint of lager and maybe 1 or 2 spirts so its quite alot..
and when i dont drink the anixety is still very bad but i am able to cope and push myself to do things i dont feel comforatable doing..
My dad past away when i was 8 years old from a heart attack and every time i get anxious or in a panic i think the same is going to happen,,even though ive been checked out and all the test come back normal..
reading peoples comments on here maybe i do have a drink problem cause when i do go i seem to binge ..but in my case i think i drink to try to get rid of the feelings..i just be so ill after drinking the anxiety goes through the roof its not worth it i always say never again maybe this time please god..
peace out
Drew !!!!
I think the reasons why we drink are the most important issues and possibly the keys to understanding it all.
I have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
I can stop for weeks, but then something, and in my case it is an emotional trigger,that will make me want to to crack the beers,..stress, pressure and conversely, reward… and I will binge drink until that craving is satisfied, usually circa 9 beers..and I am drunk and I can forget myself,..which I believe is my unconscious aim.
Most of us on here have an addiction to alcohol…ie, we need to get to a “level”..we dont just have 1 or 2 beers, for most of us, that seems pointless.
I was wondering if anyone here can isolate that “tipping point” that “urge” or “craving” that sends us on our way, that has us reaching for the bottle.
I’m 27 and I drink every 2-3 days . I don’t go out . I sit at the computer with a bottle of Rose and often some Morgans rum . I have a glass and feel warm and safe in my own skin and who I am. I’ve done this for 12 years really . I smoked weed at 14 occasionly and then at 17 for a full year everyday . I was fine on it and couldn’t live without it . Until one day I ate some and woke up with the biggest anxiety attack ever . I thought Id die off a heart attack or brain hemmirage . I never properly tuched weed after that . Turned to drink . Was fine for years . But for the last 2 I just cantcope I have the worst 2-3 day hangover and panic attaks ever .and the thing is this will kill me. I have 2 kids one from a realtiomship 8 years ago . Had a good relationship with her and now suddenly she dosent really want to see us . Even thow she’s my world . My other daughter is 3 and happy . I live with her and my girlfriend ( her mum ) we Been together 7 years. We private rent a house because I went bankrupt 6 years ago. My job in retail sucks bin their 12 years and am under appretiated and never progress anywhere . I hate it and it gets me down but can’t get any work anywhere else. Anyway don’t no y told u all this . But it all contributes to y I drink and y I no I will never give up. I’m so unhappy in live and can’t find anything to be happy about . Just sadness everywhere in this world . I’ll never have money and own a house . And have nothing to give to anyone .me and my gorgeous Gf will brake up eventually. We started to fall out and argue recently . Anyway off to watch vanilla sky now . Bye
Adam, you should be ashamed of yourself for thinking like that….We all have it tough, I havent had a job in almost 3 years, and about to lose my place also..But whenever you think you have nothing to live for, look into the face of your beautiful children, then imagine what it would do to them if their father didnt want to go on living…Think of the other in your life that love you.. Giving people material things is not the most important thing in life, but about giving them “you” is….Think of how you would feel if your mother or father wanted to not go on living because they couldnt give you material things…How woudl you feel about them?? Hang in there buddy, things will change, they always do, and believe it or not sometimes for the better:)
Great article! I realized this years ago before I stopped drinking. I realized that every time I drank too much I was miserable. It didn’t always affect me like this but within the past 10yrs it has. I pretty much stopped drinking this year and I sleep and feel tons better. I still get anxious at times but it’s not half as bad as when I was drinking.
Thanx j. Means alot that someones actually bothered to read my post. I guess the drink ain’t completely to blame. I have depression but these days who dosnt lol. I just wish I could be somebody . But I just don’t even no whAt I want to do or where to even start. It’s like life is just going by and I’m wasting everyday and hate myself for it. But find theirs no way out . Do u still drink ?
Adam, your not alone, i too have depression, mainly due to losing pepople in my life….Its probably why i dont have a job right now, not that i cant get one, but the anxiety and fear and depression prevent me from doing so….Yes i still drink, more than i want to, and more than i should…I probably will never quit completely, but if i could get to the point where i just have a few beers on the weekends, i’d be ok with t hat…..Unfortunately my boredom, and depression cause me to drink nitely almost….sometimes only 4-5 light beers over a few hour period, and never any hard liquor or even wine, but i know it still causes me to feel anxiety and ‘just not right’ the next day because of this….Just remember your not alone in this.
Do u think by drinking once every 2-3 days 3 times a week – a bottle of 11% Rose wine and a 13.5% bottle of maddog 2020 small bottle that holds half a pint glass. Is putting my health at risk? And the reason why I feel so ill and anxious all the time?
i really dont think that constitutes you being a “raging” alcoholic, but i would think it definitely will contribute to you feeling like “shit” a few days a week….do you notice you feel better after 2-3 days or not drinking?
Also I am the same Bordem and depression make me feel I need a drink to release. I’m sorry for your losses. I don’t no how I’m going to be when I lose anyone that close to me it’ll be hell I can only imagine how bad it will be
Yeah it Takes around 2-3 days just to feel okay-ish again. And that’s when I’ll get home and my body and mind feel I need to do it to myself again . So I usually give in and do . It’s been since Sunday since I’ve had owt and it’s been hard since Tuesday . Even thinking about it makes me start to think my brain will hemorage or I’ll have a heart attack the next day as daft as it may sound
you just have to remember buddy, we all go through it, and we all GET through it….it takes time to heal, but you never quite fully get over it…The only thing that DOES help, is having other “loved” ones in your life to help and support you, and who make you smile..Positive thoughts is the KEY , and not to dwell on negative feelings…If you find yourself dwelling on these negative feelings , you have to consciously make an effort to think of something or DO something that makes you feel good about yourself..
Yeah your totally right .do u think you will ever get back to work? Or are you in like a vicious cycle?
Indeed, the art of distraction is important. Just as a child cries when their mother leaves, until you point out a passing cute puppy. We have to find the cute puppy for ourselves. In my case it’s exercising, and learning a number of new types of dance that are very empowering, and allow me to relax enough to focus on school.
I quite everything cold turkey August 1st. (Alcohol, weed, and my prescribed adderall) Only remaining on Wellbutrin, my antidepressant, after my boyfriend broke up with me because of my radical mood changes. (Though he has his own un-substance related issues). He “took me back” a month later, and things were very good at first, but the last few weekends I relapsed. First weed, then drinking a little, then drinking again. The first two were fine except the following week where I was extremely anxious and depressed. The final weekend we were having a great time at a party until he did something that upset me, and I shoved him and threw a thermos in his general direction. He broke up with me the following day.
But as you were saying about the things that lead us to give into the boredom and craving….I had quit cold turkey in August, and was doing all these wonderful things for myself in life. Ever since I had gotten back with him under the pretense of “him forgiving me” I felt a little sick inside, and though they weren’t major relapses, I think my feelings of slight self loathing and questionable self respect about getting back with him likely led to them.
We have been broken up a week, and I feel a renewed sense of self respect. Even the anxiety I feel now pales in comparison, because I also feel this renewed sense of control over myself and reminding myself that I wasn’t strong enough yet to not drink when my mate was drinking right next to me, and that if it was SO important to him that I be sober, he should have had the respect not to sit right next to me drinking and expect me not to be tempted at all. I will quit again, unfortunately I still have to deal with some old rifts I caused. JUST got invited back to this mansion where they have parties, on the condition I don’t get drunk, black out, and slap anyone…
Fizzy, wow…i wish to god i could quit cold turkey and not drink AT ALL, at least for a FEW weeks, and see how it feels….I seriously havent gone more than 3-4 days in many years without drinking “something”….I rarely get “very drunk” anymore, but i have enough most nites to make me feel buzzed (about-6-8 beers)….Do you really feel VERY different and better after not having a drop in a week or two or more? I’m trying to understand so that i can embrace this myself..
J, Well just a little background about me. My family has a history of chronic depression. I have been on anti-depressants for three years, and my mom and older sister consider themselves as “lifers” when it comes to anti-D’s. (Though neither of them drink at all). Also, I’ve mostly been a natural stoner, and being a person who thinks constantly, that tends to be my preferred substance. Although alcohol is nice (and I was drinking and blacking out a lot when I quite), in that it makes you uninhibited and free, so vicariously you can’t think about anything. It always felt like a passive escape for myself, so I liked weed because I was still conscious of what was wrong in my life, but able to think about it with a much more level head and objectively. Actually, just thinking about that makes it hard lol
Quitting really did help inspire me as much as anything. The first week I stopped everything was sluggish and I often felt suicidal for no real reason. Days dragged on and it was hard not to want to smoke at least, but the pain almost helped me to go on, because of imagining every having to go through these sort of emotional withdrawal symptoms again. It seemed unbearable. Then the boredom and lack of immediate satiation in place became a sort of catalyst to force me to do other things to fill the void. A void, I’m only feeling now when I’m at a party where EVERYONE is drunk but me (which happens to me a lot lately). Like I said, I’ve been doing everything I can to work on myself, physical, mental, emotional, and reading about my various issues is my way of looking at them objectively now, and helping me to remove myself from being so integrally emotionally intertwined with them. I am recognizing the cycle and choosing to make other things my priority. It’s all about what you want to put your energy into, and for me, thinking about alcohol and weed all the time (either wanting it or worrying about quitting it) seems like a waste of time and energy I should be devoting to so much better things.
It’s like a bad relationship where you spend all your time trying to weigh out the good against the bad, and finally you realize it’s just exhausting and not worth it, so you remove yourself from the situation completely. Maybe in a few years you two will reunite and things will be different, but in the meantime, why devote all of yourself to that, putting your life on standby, even though the time train is still running fast.
On a side note. I think boredom is a huge factor. Some people are naturally higher risk-takers than others, and require more stimulation to be satiated. I am one of them, and when I was in high school and unable to drive or go anywhere, weed was an easy way to escape and have some excitement, but I think that becomes a habit, a lazy way of getting what little excitement we can out of limited circumstances. But there’s so much out there to titillate the senses and personally, I am (insert synonym for ‘excited’ here) to push myself to such extremes, traveling, snowboarding, learning aerial silks, and other acrobatics that are so thrilling and amazing they completely replace that desire for something so mundane in contrast.
For whoever is interested..
many of us ( if not most) are geared towards this situation before we even knew what alcohol was.
My addictions came from the need to escape myself, run from the thing I detested, the failure that my Father loathed and scorned..when I found that i could indulge in a substance that would allow me to forget for some hours, it was, Manna, Ambrosia..it was medicine.
As a 41 year old man, I still get those urges now and again, but it is less and less..I chose to start writing about the experiences in verse.
Solace
So Solace….
How your high, wide promise
would straddle the drabbest of ways,
to set me fleet upon those
imperceptible currents of
wry ridden mornings.
Island hopping through dusty
citadels of mercantile minds
I’ll wind with flourish and favour.
With a humour attuned to
those lower endeavours,
I’ll dabble in measures of
earthly discourse, dulled
by glutinous numbers.
Under the evergreen heckle
and chide, I’ll trade my report
for a platter of barley.
So Solace….
Now is the time
to make honour your promise.
Rend me, I beg, from these popular floors.
Rest this impoverished Spirit, sweet Solace
Nourish this hungering Spirit of yours.
Then,again
Then
It starts with a feeling
a subtle reaction to perception,
to a friction dealing fictional
interpretations, romancing hedonism,
dull and dusky justification for
another evening of running
of escapism.
It ends with no feeling
having slipped into space
out of time, out of mind.
Everything means nothing
All is purged, then returned
shipwrecked and shamed on
the shores of a storm ridden morning
again.
I have always found creativity a beautifuly sobering experience..I have tried to write under the influence of various substances, but the truth is that we can only contemplate our true nature when we meet ourselves in clarity.
It’s a hard road to tread and im sure our feet will bleed,..but the view from the top of the hill is going to be extraordinary.
And we are all going to be there together.
..oh btw there are 2 verses above one goes by the name of “Solace”, the other is titled “Then Again”…
Good stuff Ali…I really like the end…
It ends with no feeling
having slipped into space
out of time, out of mind.
Everything means nothing
All is purged, then returned
shipwrecked and shamed on
the shores of a storm ridden morning
again.
Cheers Todd
I appreciate that it will not be everyone’s cup of tea!..but it’s about trying to glean some sort of spark from our ways, however small that may be,..we all have interests and passions, however the anxiety often eclipses these
Perhaps making the effort to return to those inspirations may bring us closer to home, closer to ourselves, once more.
I think we have to remember, that we were not always anxious, that we can truly enjoy this brief experience we know as life..it’s never easy, but, at the very least, we care!…because if we didn’t we wouldn’t have written on this page.
Have a great weekend my friend!
To 27Adam/Ali
27 Adam: Your life reminds me what I have gone through the last eighteen years since I graduated college. I have also gone through bankruptcy, and worked for many years in a high stress work environment that I hated. Five years ago I lost my first wife to a rare brain condition and in 2008 was fired from my company I made the mistake of being loyal to. I haven’t found full time work since and believe me that is stressful! I figure there are many people out there in a worse situation and will find their way out which gives me hope. Adam, I hope you find your way to a more fulfilling work life.
My psychiatrist told me my depression and anxiety are linked. He also stated not having a job and being newly married are two other stresses on me. I honestly didn’t think finding love again and being newly married was a stressor but combined with looking with work everyday seems to have a impact. I feel like I disappoint her every day I can’t find a job.
Ali: Since alcoholism runs on both sides of my family history (lucky me)I am currently using a technique called ” The Sinclair Method” which has been taking away my interest in alcohol. You may want to Google this method. I also joined a gym and love working out which is a big help. Now,on to find a a system to quit smoking. So far, hypnosis isn’t working.
Maxx
Thanks for the tips, my friend, that is very kind indeed.
I only ever drank at weekends, but when i did it was way too much, and this has been my real problem, understanding my “triggers”, they have been so ingrained that they have been barely, if at all recognisable.
Drinking has always been a response to emotions that I have not been able to channel..but actually understanding this has been a real eye opener, and I am able to recognise the mechanics of the moments…and this is helping enormously.
As for the smoking, If I can stop smoking, anyone can stop smoking..I started out on champix, they helped me off the smokes, but drove me to despair and God-awful depression…so I stopped taking them, am alot happier and fortunately Im still off the smokes, and i really dont fancy one either, but Im sure there are easier methods to quit.
You will get there Maxx, because you want to, and that is where the seed starts to germinate.
cheers
Maxx I’m very sorry for your loss . I don’t no if I’d be able to handle anything like that. I’m relieved theirs someone out their who kind of understands and relates to what I said. The thing is for me anxiety depression and the drinking just get me into such a state of worthlessness it’s awfull . And then with the state of the world today makes me feel bad for bringing my kids into this world so quilty I worry their gunna suffer pain and don’t want them to have to feel these feelings I feel.
Ali: I truly appreciate your words of kindness! The world needs more people like you.
Adam/27
I know there is nothing I wil write that will make you feel better. I have two brothers who suffer from chronic depression. Neither do drugs or hardly drink. OUR condition is brought on by many factors. You shouldn’t feel guilt for bringing life into this world. Your children will thrive in this new world! The medical break throughs in the next 20 years will make us dizzy. Even breakthroughs in depression and anxiety!
This is a personal goal of mine. Why not stop drinking for the next month or so and see how you feel?
yeah ive stopped drinking it been 9 days now just over a week , i feel slightly better in the mornings and only a little bit more focused , but i realy cant imagine a life without it, im going to wait a couple of weeks , and then just have a night a week where i can have my own time with a bottle , you no as a relax wind down thing, i just hope i dont get the major anxiety afterwards where i feel like ill die, thats what happened with the weed and i had no option but to stop forever all them years ago , and i feel i may never be able to drink again as im now getting the same type of withdrawels with alcohol as i used to with the weed.
but i really dont want to have to stop forever as i feel we all need a bit of something in our lifes , i quit smoking quite a while back aswell
Oh boy, how I can relate. I have decided the binge drinking is really causing a lot of my problems even past the hangover. Funny thing is, I finally mentioned my “heavy weekend drinking” to my cardiologist, and he did not even comment. I’ve been to the ER twice with palpitations, fixing to pass out, rapid heartbeat, and they have called it panic attacks, but in hindsight I think it has lot to do with my Saturday night beer drinking binges. I can sit down on Saturday night and drink 6-8 (plus) beers, call friends, smoke cigarettes, and be one little happy camper until the next day.
I’ve also noticed a connection with pot smoking, which I do with and without the beer on the weekends.
I’ve cut out both and things have quieted down as far as the anxiety/palpitations.
I’ve been reading about “beer drinkers cardiomyopathy.”
This is so frustrating. Is is heart disease or anxiety? My cardiologist has put me on Paxil, which I have yet to start taking. My PCP has given me some mild Ativan, which has proved very helpful so far.
Anyway, here’s to all of us getting better! Cheers (or not)! 🙂