More pain and anxiety after quiting alcohol, anyone else.

[NorthernRC]

In an attempt to clear out some really bad habits I quit drink sometime ago. I had started to really escalate my intake to the point to where I would drink a pint of cheap Canadian whiskey a day.  So far so go on the quiting but my anxiety has gone through the roof! Anyone else with drinking problems and what happened after you quit?

[GreyGoose]

Hi NorthernRC

I'm on my 6'th day of sobriety after drinking a 12-pack of beer nearly every day for over a year. Prior to this, I had been sober for a year and a half but even before then, I had spent years drinking and relapsing (gin and beer). I suffer from GAD and Hypo (mostly) and so I tend to do a lot of self medicating. This time around, I literally got down on my knees and begged God to rid me of this devil that was destroying my life. I also began taking Campral and an extra dose or two of Xanax.

Six days out and the cravings and other withdrawal symptoms have not been too bad except for a lot of foggy, spacey, zoned-out feelings in my head that drive me nuts sometimes. Sometimes I get irritated over the smallest things or suffer from periods of mental confusion (all normal with detox). It takes a long time to heal but God willing, I hope more than anything on this earth that I have finally kicked the habit for good because I had really hit rock bottom this time. I am so glad that you were able to quit and yes, alcohol definitely alleviates the symptoms of anxiety but once the affects wear off (at least for me and others I have spoken with) your anxiety goes through the roof and you need yet another drink to make it go away and to feel "normal" again. It's a vicious cycle and a difficult one to break. Good luck on your continued sobriety my friend and know that you have friends here who are always willing to help pick you up when you fall .

- Regards, GreyGoose

[NorthernRC]

It's a had road to how. However, If you are successful, being addiction is a great thing. I quit tobacco several times over many years, a few times for more than a year. However, the last time just felt right and I really feel free of it for the first time ever. I'm not there with alcohol and I don't doubt that at some point I'll fall back so my goal now is to run it out for as long as possible. If I fall after a year and can keep it to good scotch one or twice a week, I'll be happy. I don't think I was drinking because I was an alcoholic. I think it was a crutch for my anxiety. So far, three weeks sober!