I can't drink much anymore, because i have RA, but if i'm around people i have to take Xanax or if i don't have that, i have to have a drink...or sadly, sometimes i need both!

Alcohol is definatly the enemy as I had to find out the hard way. Before I had even heard of panic attacks or anxiety attacks,when I did have one that was my way of self-medication. I remember a time where there was no other way to really deal with it. This of course was before all of these meds came out. Because of my children, I no longer can self-medicate. I don't want them growing up and remembering that Mom dealt with stress by having a drink. This is a message I clearly don't want to send. When you self-medicate with alcohol you start to depend on it too much and before you know it your an alcoholic. You can't be anywhere where there is no alcohol because you think what if I have an attack, how will I stop it? It's a horrible routine to get into and I'm sorry to say that so many people fall into this trap. I hope you find another way to deal with your anxiety before not having those cocktails starts to cause them. I wish you the best of luck and please trust me on this issue.

2 glasses of red wine - friend. Any more and not-friend. Get the tipsyturveys x

I too have this problem. I was self medicating, and I used to get so relaxed, but then even having a few beers didn't help me anymore. And "broken record" it does create so many more problems. Are you on any meds? I'm on Xanax now. I still have a few on the weekends. I've cut down a great deal. Even though I drank sometimes to take the panic attacks away the next day would be 10 times worse for me. Thats why I finally went to the doc. and he put me on Xanax. Until they can find something else to try with me???? So I guess in a way it's both a friend and an enemy depending on how much you consume??? :)

Thats what I thought for years, but have hit my lifetime limit. Definitely made anxiety worse, but at the same time made it tolerable enough that it was easier to stay stuck where I was. Now that I havn't been drinking regularly for year or so, it doesnt do much for the anxiety.

About 4/6weeks ago i stopped drinking, i only allow on a weekend and limit to 2 beers.
I know have to take sleeping pills because i cant fall aslleep on my own because i used to self medicate.
It is only a short term fix, the anxiety allways worse the next day.
It really is a visious trap to fall into because before you know it it,s hard to get out of, in the end too much alcohol is not our freind.
Putting a limit on it is much better.
I also dont want my children seeing mummy drinking because of her stress or anxiety, its not a good example for me to show them.
Good Luck Freind!
If you want to talk just send me a message.

Alcohol is my enemy. I saw it destroy my family. The self medication is only temporary. I'm trying to find other coping skills that are more permanent.