Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

When it comes to making choices, it's about what works for you when and where.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying alcohol and knowing what it does for you in the moment.

Anxiety is natural and is a helper. Use breathing exercises and gentle motion exercises to help reduce anxiety quickly in the moment.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.

As I've always have had some form of anxiety. I was never a drinker. I have only consumed alcohol twice in my life not only did I not like the taste or the feeling it gave me such as the sluggish and groginess I didn't like how the next day my anxiety had spiraled through the roof.

We all have our crutch we use to get thru things what are hard to deal with. For me its always been smoking cigarettes and I had quit for 8 years but relapsed back in October. Then went 2 months but now I just have it where the most I will allow my self is 2 packs a week.

I know smoking is bad but I've never done drugs never liked weed or alcohol always eaten healthy and exercise. So if smoking seems to keep the anxiety down then at this point I need to focus on the bigger worries I got going on.

For wanting to give up alcohol good for you but try not to put to much pressure on your self of you can help it.

It's good that you're thinking about this.

The other thing to seriously consider is that alcohol does not really mix well with SSRI's and Klonopin. I have talked to my psychiatrist about this, and he said I could have ONE beer, but ONLY once in awhile, while on those types of drugs. And to never ever drink that one beer too near the time when you take the Klonopin.

There is a very real danger of alcohol not mixing with the drugs you are taking. It intensifies the effects of alcohol, and... go look this up yourself... but you could put yourself into a coma or stop breathing, or have seizures.

I don't drink at all, only due to being on anxiety medications. I had to choose one or the other, so I chose the medications.

Alcohol is known as "self medicating" and sure, it does take away anxiety... but only for a short time.

Please research about mixing alcohol with those prescribed medications. Because they don't mix well, and can have fatal consequences. Not trying to scare you, but please look this up yourself and you will see.

I’ve found increased anxiety as alcohol wears off but the times when I drink it are sometimes the only time I feel sorta happy the whole day. It sounds like you’re drinking in unsafe amounts which is a problem you can work on. Good luck.

I've quit drinking completely several times, cold turkey, while taking anti-depressants and klonopin but I can't provide an insightful reply, because I was in extremely stressful environments at the time. Therefore my anxiety expectedly went through the roof.

Even in a safe calm stable environment, I would anticipate anxiety levels to rise, and it may be difficult to sleep.

One word of caution. If you're taking Wellbutrin, and you've been binge drinking heavily for a prolonged period... going stone cold sober abruptly, may result in a seizure. And also ingesting large quantities of alcohol, while taking Wellbutrin, may result in a seizure. In other words, alcohol and Bupropion do not mix well.

The acceptance method by Dr Claire Weeks (now deceased and also an anxiety sufferer) is what I am practicing along with relaxation meditation and seeing a therapist, plus using tools learned from my therapist. I’ve been in recovery for a little while now, and I am feeling much better after a lifetime of anxiety and depression that was debilitating. Look on Amazon for a book by Carl James “it’s only anxiety”. The author recounts his own journey and describes the “acceptance method” Dr Weeks formed. Very insightful and informative, not to mention it works.

In my own herstory, just about any change in my routine will trigger anxiety attacks, even when I really, truly want the change with all my heart. My anxiety has a mind of its own. ^It^ likes a predictable life, even when the predictable life is boring as hell and/or killing its host.