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Depression,anxiety, And Alcoholism
Mark






Posted: December 13, 2017, 1:19 PM
Hello all,
I'm new to the board here and looking for some insight and advice. I've suffered with anxiety and depression most of my life and half of which I've been a heavy drinker. I find myself more and more just drinking to cope with the stressors in my life anymore. At one point in time I enjoyed it now anymore it feels like I'm self medicating. Lately I feel like I'm at my wits end and cannot take it anymore. I know my drinking doesn't help my mental issues but has anyone else experienced deep depression and anxiety while drinking? I guess I'm trying to see if anyone else has quit drinking to find the depression and/or anxiety go away. I just don't feel myself anymore in most aspects of my life and am trying to figure out if it's the drinking or the emotional issues. I drink most days only one day or so off if any on any given week. If I Dont have to work I usually binge at night. I have never been a morning drinker, but at night I will drink2-3 drinks fast to kill the dep/anx and continue to drink until I fall asleep. If I were to quit today can anyone tell me what your experience was if it coincided with mood disorders? How long did it take your mental and bodily issues to go away throughout your recovery? Thank you


Posts: 5
Joined: December 12, 2017


Posted: December 13, 2017, 2:11 PM
Yes
I’ve noticed that for the past 6 months I’ve woken up the next day after a binge with horrid anxiety
Didn’t happen while I was drinking but always afterwards
I got to where I could rationalize it and be aware that there was no reason yet I still had it as I was rationalizing
I’ve decided for the first time in my life to quit and it’s been a week
The anxiety was one of the reasons for my decision but it was a major one
Mark






Posted: December 13, 2017, 8:25 PM
I've had the same issue with the horrid anxiety the next day when I binge heavily the night before. My anxiety and depression have always been there but have been intensifying as of late. I hope that this will all go away if we stick with it. Yea the anxiety is my biggest reason for wanting to quit along with other reasons.


Posts: 6374
Joined: January 5, 2008


Posted: December 16, 2017, 9:43 PM
Hi Mark. I had depression and anxiety both while drinking and when new in recovery. Booze will do that to you. I got help from reab, AA, and counselling. I learned tools that I use to live
life on life's terms. It gets better and the more sobriety time the better it get. Don't give up ..

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Thank God for what you have. Trust God for what you need


Posts: 2246
Joined: March 23, 2006


Posted: December 17, 2017, 6:55 AM
Well i had depression while I was drinking because I knew my life was awful and the worse I felt the more I drank and the more I drank the worse I felt...on and on endless cycle of misery.

I didn't know that I had anxiety and panic until I finally got sober and learned what those feelings were. I'd felt them before but always had a drink to quickly get rid of them.

I get the occasonal bit of anxiety now but for the most part is has all settled down. BTW I am over 8 years sober thanks to God and the program of AA.

keep reaching out, help is available...

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Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:27

May the Force be with you.

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should just get used to the idea....Robert Heinlein.

You can spend the next 24 hours reaching your true potential or sliding down into your own particular hell. the choice is always yours.


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Joined: December 23, 2017


Posted: December 23, 2017, 1:06 AM
Hi this is my first post. It makes me think I dont get depressed or anxiety. I get the anxiety and depression when I am not drinking. But I think everyone is different in the way anxiety and alcohol affects us. [URL=pams words]My Webpage[/URL]
cordeliatolear






Posted: August 13, 2018, 9:04 PM
Scanning old threads here a bit. As for depression, anxiety, and alcoholism/substance abuse there is a great deal of science on how they conflate. I think it is unique to the individual, and the science is soft.


I would highly recommend the personal essay (about 80p) by William Styron, "Darkness Visible". The title is an allusion to Milton's description of Hell. It is the most unapologetic and artistically descriptive remarks I have ever read on these issues.


Posts: 6
Joined: November 26, 2018


Posted: December 11, 2018, 7:04 AM
Alcoholism is difficult for everyone. But knowing more about it helps a lot.

This post has been edited by moderator on December 11, 2018, 9:39 AM


Posts: 264
Joined: December 21, 2018


Posted: January 4, 2019, 11:21 AM
As an observing family member of an alcoholic it seems alcohol and other substances can create an artificial depression in the lack of energy and motivation. One could interpret that as depression but until one is clinically assessed I wouldn't put a lot into it. Many rehab experts think alcoholics and addicts lack coping skills for the routine/normal ups and downs in life. There is a difference between depression, disappointment, frustration, lethargy etc.



This post has been edited by samegame on January 4, 2019, 11:21 AM
Kate






Posted: June 6, 2019, 7:11 PM
Mark, you have just described me! Is there anyone who can recommend a rehab program near Chicago that will offer a nature setting with animal therapy?


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Joined: August 22, 2019


Posted: September 6, 2019, 7:18 AM
Hi Mark !!!! Hope you are doing well .


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Joined: September 6, 2019


Posted: September 6, 2019, 10:49 AM
Go to the psychologist or not - you decide. I went and recommend it. It was enough for me to speak out to an unfamiliar specialist who suggested what to pay attention to and what to emphasize in the fight. I went to him twice. Here everyone will decide for himself.


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Joined: July 18, 2006


Posted: October 22, 2019, 4:12 PM
Alcohol is a depressant, so...

Drink: Feel good. Drink more: Feel worse. Drink all the time: Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration and despair. The Four Horsemen...

Sober living = ACTION.

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Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.


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Joined: October 24, 2019


Posted: October 24, 2019, 5:55 AM
It started that way for me too Mark, alcohol was a suppressor, but it quickly got out of hand.
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