Hello Gwen_R,

The person with six months, five years, twenty years sober or more started out with a Day 1, so welcome to the sober club.

While drinking may help with anxiety at the start, it soon gets to a point where it is a major cause of more anxiety, as you have now discovered. There may also be other causes so, if you have not already done so, it would be wise to have an honest talk with the doctor to determine if you need medication or professional help.

Like many other people, I found that despite my best efforts, I could not stay sober for more than a few days. I would find some reason to justify drinking and although those reasons seemed completely genuine at the time, I can see now that they made no sense. I didn’t know it but I had become obsessed with drinking and would always find a way to justify it.

It was only when I did what I swore I would never do, and went to an AA meeting that it all changed for the better. What are you going to do differently this time?

My "stinkin thinkin" led me to believe I could quit on willpower alone, but after relapsing hundreds of times, I came to the conclusion, I needed help because I couldn't do it alone. That's where AA came in. I got a sponsor who took daily phone calls from me and he helped me with all of life's challenges at the time. I no longer had excuses and nothing that was driving me to drink when I went to meetings and stayed in touch with my sponsor. Once I got past the first few months when my sobriety was still in a fragile state, the cravings happened less often and were not as strong over time. My brain was finally healing!

Over 9 years ago, I made a decision that changed my life for the better when I walked through the door with the sign hanging on it which read, :AA meeting Inside!"

Today I have a great life and I have never been happier!

God Bless

Good for you! Day 1 for me..... it can only get better, I need the drinking to stop, don’t know why I am doing it again.

It feels dangerous to me. I have all the tools I need, I had been drinking alone and this time it has scared me, I want to put the work for recovery.,and want the linked days of being sober, I feel better and better about myself when I am not drinking. I don’t feel that great that I recently drank but will put my faith in God that I will take it one day at a time and will feel good again.

You're right Gwen, it is a new day. As others have noted, we all had to start on Day 1, and trust me, most of us failed numerous times before we were successful. I really believe we need those failures to teach us the lesson of humility and to understand that most of us can not do this alone. I hope you're not trying to go it alone and are active in AA, Refuge Recovery or other recovery program. Please keep us updated. You can do this!

When I first quit drinking the anxiety was overwhelming. I had to face it, instead of running away from The anxiety got less., each time that I faced it. Facing it rather than avoiding it with booze was one of the toughest things that I did in my life. The results were worth it.

It's hard. Hang in there. With help, you can do it. It's nearly impossible to do it alone though. Often times, folks going through similar situations as yours find great success by joining an "overcomers" type small group at a local community or fellowship type Christian church. You would be surprised how many people are sharing those very same feelings you have. Sometimes being able to fellowship with people enduring the same challenge as you makes it more manageable, especially on those hard nights when you are alone with your thoughts. Have you considered joining such a group? I am praying for peace in your heart and overwhelming strength for you to overcome this challenge.

Alcohol is undeniably the quickest form of anxiety relief in small doses. But like every drug on this planet, it has side effects! Any momentary relief you get is why it is so dangerous!!! I view alcohol like an allergy to medication now...I have a severe and uncontrollable response. Its just not worth it any more.
Reset the clock :) Another day, another chance!
Sending strength and support!
-B

I was full of anxiety and depression. But booze only made it go away for a temporary time. It always came back and was more and greater. I found I had to plug the jug and just sweat it out. Once I made some time then the depression and anxiety lessend. Over time they are very small and only cone back occasionally. It is possible but like pulling off a bandaid , you gotta go thru some pain to get it over with
1is2many