Getting drunk to deal with it?

[maxine]

Is it just me ?

I'm drinking loads more than normal just to deal with the current panic surging throught my body.

I cannot cope without it at the minute..please tell me it's not just me who is using drink to just feel normal???

I am soooooo p*ssed off!!!

Day 5 of Seroxat by the way.. meds are not helping!!!!!

[Downsinthenorth]

No, I tried using alcohol to block things out - I just wanted some peace from those terrible feelings. The problem was that I became reliant on it, and had to drink more and more to get the same effect. Essentially it became yet ANOTHER problem that I had to deal with, on top of my chronic anxiety and depression.

Now I have to monitor my drinking very carefully. I don't allow myself to drink when I'm very low, and I only have one or two drinks at any one time, not very often. I have to be very careful because I let my drinking get out of hand in the first place, and because there is a history of alcohol abuse in my family.

I had to develop some non-destructive strategies for dealing with the build-up of anxiety that I suffer from. For me, meditation doesn't work, but I have friends that swear by it and use it to help themselves wind down. Its just a matter of experiment to find out what works for you.

Maybe you also need to go back to your doctor, and talk to them about your medication. I find it helps to know how long I should expect to wait before the drugs start to work - though of course it does vary from person to person.

Finally, don't feel guilty about the excessive drinking thing - you are in a lot of pain and it's understandable that you felt you needed a quick fix. It doesn't do you any favours though, as it often makes the symptoms worse, affects your mind and body's resilience, and doesn't mix with meds.

Hope this didn't sound too preachy - I am certainly not in the position to be moralistic about alcohol!!!

Look after yourself.

[looking4answers]

Im sorry you are feeling so bad .. I hope you feel better.. I wish I could drink..I would give anything.. to drink..but im allergic. Take care Michael

[Milo]

Hi Maxine,

You are not alone - I also drink a lot to ease everything and make me feel better.
The only problem is that I feel like death the next day and cycle starts over. Trying to cut it out now.

[amandaj]

hi maxine i also used to drink to blot it all out i became addicted my anxiety was much worse when i was drinking ive found that out now ive stopped,its been 13 weeks since i touched a drop i had to have a dettox for it though ive not even fancied a drink my anxiety hasnot gone all together but ive found people are willing to help more if you dont drink with other services, i know its hard once you start but its not the answer in the end it just covers up the problems i feel like im dictating now but im not just trying to help if you need to talk feel free to pm me i was drinking 3 bottles of wine a day and lager on top of it
good luck
amandaxx

[tasia]

Alcohol makes anxiety worse. I was once borderline alcoholic this happened when my mum died and depression set in I ended up drinking more and more thus resulting in me self harming more and more...In the end my psychiatrist told me I was borderline alcoholic and I had to stop drinking so much...I now have to monitor my drinking I usually have a few wines at the weekend but if I overdo it apart from the normal hangover my anxiety is much much worse...so I try to control my drinking now...You dont have to stop drinking just try cutting down you will feel better for it believe me...Goodluck x

[sam100]

For a long time now I drank a glass of wine when I had panic and it works for me, I also drink a bit at weekends but Im cutting down now to allow for the drinks when panic hits. Ive never really gone over 1 glass of wine when in panic in years so allthough Im a drinker I dont let it go any further than that and its enough to stop panic coming on. I know if I get drunk I have a guaranteed lightweight anxiety the next day which I always have had and think most people do, its just not handy putting ourselves in that position when we suffer from things like panic. I told my doctor and he said its fine to have one drink if it helps you, but try and steer clear of getting too boozy too often, I know its a great feeling to be relaxed from panic when youre boozing but we always have to keep the larger picture in our minds.

[ian1]

Alcohol makes me much worse, haven't had a drink in over two years now.

[suzy-sue]

Drinking is the worst thing you should do if you suffer with anxiety .If you have just started on medication your anxiety will be worse for a while .Drinking wont help .Maybe if you tell your Dr the side effects are becoming bad he will give you some Diazapam to see you through the next couple of weeks ,they will help more .I didnt have a drink for 8 months when I started on my Antidepressants ,they need time to work and you should be stable on your dose first ,I have the odd drink now and im fine .If I have too much my anxiety is terrible the next day, and the headaches are dreadful .Take care Sue x

[sarah jayne]

I frightened of having a drink in case it makes me worse. The last time i had alot to drink i had the worst panic attack ive ever had so im not prepared to put myself through that again. I wish i could though, i miss drunken nights lol.
Sarah x