Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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donttread 04/18/2009

I'm a recovering alcoholic and I often work the tools of AA quite well, which includes a strong dose of staying in the hear and now.
Some stressors , like budget cuts that might effect my job, I let go of fairly well. But anything I can talk myself into having been responsible for I over worry and make mountains out of mole hills and obsess.
I told my group last night that that worry side would dominate more if it weren't for my program.
Yet, I realized I need specific treatment for my anxiety so I'm taking Prozac and Buspar and posting here and it helps.
For along time I felt like I was practicing a poor recovery, yet if that were true my program would fail in other areas too. The Big Book says that we may need help outside the program. Having said that the philosophys go hand in hand.
Any thoughts from those who are in or have been around recovery, it might not be addiction recovery it might be... depression? Or anyone on the board?
Joel

donttread 04/18/2009

Basically I guess I'm asking for feedback from anyone who understands a little about both alcoholism and anxiety.

deleted_user 04/18/2009

my husband went thur the same think when he stopped is drinking. I don't know if they told u but that anxiety is a large part of the withdraws for alcohol and alot of drugs... Some people go thru only few weeks, my husband went trhu it for 2 months. The best thing he did for himself besides continuing the aa meetings was to exercise every day for at min. of 30 min a day it helps release the stress and adorphines that cause anxiety. Also food & drinks, cut way back on sugar products and caffine. Also find a hobby u like, for my husband it was golf to help relieve pent up anxiety and stress. Know ur s strong person for already giving up a terrible habit that was controlling u, but now don't let the anxiety scare u, now its part of the passing and keep positive, ur mind on positive things and keep active. Got faith in ya. If after 3 months the anxiety is unberable then talk with ur Dr. but alot of drugs for anxiety have alot of side affects and may not even help. Try the natural way first with exercise and cut back on sugars and caffine and again positive thing is the key... sounds easy but its work. God Bless & stay positive

donttread 04/18/2009

Thanks Hunnybee. Yet my situation is a little different . I have 25 years sober and I'm coming to realize the anxiety was probably there before the booze. So with me it's not post acute withdrawal. Yet, I appreciate your response and meetings and exercise still help.
This was really about me realizing I needed other help, just as I would if I broke a leg. I'd use the program to help me through, but I'd need meds and a doctor to.
It's a hard concept to put into words, but I felt that as I was in recovery, I should be able to not worry?

sumitlal 04/19/2009

buspar and prozac were useless for me. infact buspar actually made me more edgy. xanax worked fine but at a very low dose (.25 mg per day) vigorous exercise worked just fine!

deleted_user 04/19/2009

Worry is a natural response in all people. aa program, therapy, CGT, they all can help. Plus many more. Turning over your worry ie:ii have no control...or "acceptance is a daily practice. I use to drink years ago, went to meetings. They did me good as far as letting me know i was not alone. Alos taking my own inventory, and listing my angers, worries, etc. However. I was fine for several years. I haven't drank in a long time..but my anxiety has returned.

I am on a low dose of meds... and still trying to netter myself. writing it out talking it out with thse who deal with anxiety helps me alot.

Alcohol gives one anxiety a bzz so to speak at first,, then your down the next day.
Hope this helped?

donttread 04/19/2009

Thanks everyone. Yes Snooze , I do believe there are many pieces to dealing with my anxiety and AA is part, but not all of that.
It's been very helpful folks, thanks.

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