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alcohol and anxiety

After excessive drinking, I sometimes have a day or more of being in a constant state of panic.  It's not a true panic attack, as I understand them, in that it isn't a 5-10 minute bout; rather, it's constant.  I feel like I'm going insane and going to die.  I've gone to the hospital with this feeling on more than one occasion. Once, it lasted for a week.  I saw mulitple doctors, had MRIs, C-scans of the brain, etc.  I was prescribed Alprazolam, and now if I get this feeling, I take one-half to one pill and just fall asleep.  Obviously, the origin is the drinking, but what exactly does it tell me?  Am I more susceptible to the effects of alcohol?  Is this a common effect?  Is the effect a sign of alcoholism?  I've spoken to many doctors and shrinks.  I suppose it's possible that nothing is wrong, but I just don't see how that can be seeing as how what I'm describing appears to be so isolated to me.  Anyone? Oh, and yes, this is not an invitation to the easy cop-out quick fix of "stop drinking."  The point of the question has to do with alcohol and the effects and what it might be doing to my brain/nervous system/etc.  
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Avatar universal
slam dunk!
Helpful - 0
366811 tn?1217422672
Not wishing to damage your psychic self-image, I'll validate your prediction of a response. More: I am, just as you say, unemployed; early retirement, in fact, after a successful venture in the technology business. I appreciate your keen aptitude for establishing the link between my presence here and my absence in the work force. Odd, I think, that the same prescience or powers of deductions have abandoned you when it comes to evaluation of your own condition. Self-righteous? Unlikely. No element of piety that I can see; perhaps you mean "arrogant." Guilty. I try to avoid it, but sometimes fall prey when reflecting the material and tone which have prompted my response. It must be working, judging from your reply.

But all of this counts for nothing, really. We assume you came here for help of some kind; and you must have assumed that people here would be given to provide it. Should you browse through the contributions of your respondents, you would undoubtedly find very little akin to this exchange. Consequently the responses you have received might either be explained by an outbreak of mass stupidity and rudeness on our part, or something about you; I posit the latter.

And so, no matter how well or poorly expressed, you may yet find something of value in what we have had to say. I certainly hope so.
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
Who let THAT dog out?
Helpful - 0
531684 tn?1216745984
You know the "judgemental" and "defensive" nature of some of these posts is very apparrent. And to all who think I am singling out Moe... you are dead wrong.

There is no doubt that a major reason for anxiety is having a judgemental (rigid) personality. Moreover, overly exaggerated defensiveness is another tell tale sign of anxiety. I'd recommend that ALL of you look in the mirror and try to stop being so judgemental.

In order to avoid being hypocritical, I will go first. See ya.
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
Oh, I beg you, please do stick around for the "predicted" response! I didn't take YOU (oops....there's one of those pesky caps!) for someone to be so intimidated you felt the need to run away from an intellectual challenge!
And I do thank you for pointing out my many grammatical and vocabulary errors. I had a pretty good giggle myself when I read I had written "witty repartee." How bloody moronic, and indeed, redundant. And thanks to your suggestion, I have picked up a copy of "Reading Appitude For Dummies." Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to comprehend it.
Oh, and yes.........CHEERIOS
  
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Wow.

Ya know....you came here for some input...and people took time out of their busy days (or solitaire game) to attempt to help you honestly.

You don't have to like what others have to say and are even more than welcome to speak your mind...that's what these forums are for after all....but there is simply no need to be outright insulting and rude.

If this isn't your cup of tea, fine...then bid your farewell....but don't put people down who actually out of the goodness of their hearts try to help others who may be struggling with issues that are close to their own hearts.  I sincerely hope you are never in need of a forum like this...where people learn from one another and support one another.

I also highly doubt if YOU decided to participate in a similar forum b/c you had personal experience with a topic...that you would appreciate the assumptions that you are only there b/c you are unemployed or somehow some kind of pc game playing loser.

That's just my honest to goodness opinion.  If you would try to get the chip off your shoulder and actually try to read what excellent advice others have given...you might have gotten something out of this.  After all, YOU are the one who posted the question.  

I do wish you well...and hope you conquer your anxiety....b/c that is what brings us all here...regardless of how that anxiety comes about.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
posit- to put forward for consideration or submit.  I'm delighted and astounded by what vehement responses people can come up with given, what appears to be, an abundance of free time.  The last line is particularly lovely; the drama of it reeks of self-righteousness....and feels a lot like something said by a therapist on a soap opera. (I can even hear the dark music played all in minor keys...oooohhh).  Why write a book when one can blather about this post ad infinitim and ad nauseam.  Please continue to prove you're likely in a cubicle somewhere, or unemployed, with nothing but oodles of time to either boost any ego you may have here or play online solitaire.  A response is predicted.  As for me, a pleasant farewell.   Your thoughts are appreciated.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
You really MUST write a book, JS.  Your post is astounding.  I'm glabberfasted.  :0)
Helpful - 0
366811 tn?1217422672
I'll confess that it is with a sense of morbid fascination and curiosity that I have read, and then re-read, and then read yet once more your original post and your critical analyses of some of the responses, tainted as they are by your own abuse or ignorance of the language. One does not, for example, "posit" a question. Rather, one "poses" a question. A theory, point for discussion or a postulation is "posited."

Given your predisposition for such malapropisms, I'll attempt to address your questions with as much forbearance as I can summon with respect to the larger and perhaps even controlling issues which have been amply treated by the other respondents and which perhaps truly and certainly hopefully are the motive for your post. Most readers will discern, however, that such tolerance is akin to answering questions about the physics of a railroad train posed by someone who is standing on the tracks while an on-rushing freight is bearing down.

So, take a seat there on that rail and I'll have a lash at it:

Q: what exactly does it tell me?
A: I assume the antecedent is "Obviously, the origin is the drinking ...". If that is so, than the obvious conclusion is that your reaction to excessive intake of alcohol includes a delayed panic or anxiety component that causes great mental anguish. Perhaps the folks on the alcoholism forum can chart out the bio-chemistry for you.

Q: Am I more susceptible to the effects of alcohol?
A: More susceptible? How? You mean, more susceptible to alcohol than to chocolate? More susceptible than your neighbor? All I can posit for certain is that you are more susceptible when you drink excessively.

Q. Is this a common effect? I assume you refer to the panic sensation.
A. If by "common," you mean an effect experienced by more than half of those who drink to excess, then I doubt it, but I do not know. If, however, you mean that the panic occurs often enough so as not be regarded as exceptional by those who study alcohol effects, than I would say, "yes." I know heavy drinkers who have experienced what you describe.

Q. Is the effect a sign of alcoholism?
A. No. It certainly does bear an empirical connection to the substance, alcohol, in your case. If you drink excessively because you are an alcoholic, then by extension we could reasonably argue that your alcohol addiction is a cause of the panic. The reverse, however, cannot logically be deduced.

You have said that "... it's possible that nothing is wrong, but I just don't see how that can be seeing as how what I'm describing appears to be so isolated to me." Whether or not your case is isolated neither challenges nor supports the notion that something is wrong, or that something is right. Judging from the sensations you have described, however, you detect that something is wrong, which presumably explains your post.

Your distorted thinking process, cloaked as it is in a noisy deployment of vocabulary and tone, gives the lie, I think, to your facial detachment. My best guess is that you do, in fact, suspect that you are now, or that you are quickly becoming, addicted to alcohol. I concur. My opinion relies in great part not so much on the particulars of your situation, for which you have my sympathy, but rather on the presentation of the function of alcohol in terms of some other phenomenon. I have observed this context often in early-stage alcoholics. You're on your way.

You might want to get off the tracks; I think I hear a train. I could be wrong, of course. But remember this: the cost to me of being wrong is nothing. The cost to you of being wrong is your life.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
I think you were taken aback by lydia's posts b/c they were quite to the point and sometimes it is hard to read what we already know.  Re-reading your original post...it is very clear that you already know what is causing your anxiety....what is the most important is that you are aware of it...and that regardless if you have a "drinking problem" or not.....you don't want to suffer with the anxiety...so you were seeking some answers.

Initially...it honestly DID appear that you were looking for an easy answer...as if someone was going to come and say..."Why YES!  You are allergic to alcohol!"  Lydia just sort of laid it out...raw and honestly.  I hope that you can move past your feelings about her posts and take the information IN them for what it is worth.

There are wonderful people here who can help to guide you thru this.  Sometimes you have to be able to not become defensive about certain comments that may stick in your craw.  That kind of stuff happens on discussion boards all the time...and the best thing to do is not let it get to you...and really take the info at face value.

Lastly.....I hope that you understand the reason Lydia made her comments in the first place.  If you read your original post.....you pretty much set the tone with some of your comments.

Just something to think about.  So many of us live with anxiety and it stinks.  We would help any single person that walked through the "virtual" door.  You just have to be able to be honest with yourself, and be open minded about the whole process.

Take Care.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No one ever questioned why the anxiety came or what caused it; however, this fact continues to elude you.  Hence, I am left thinking you mis-read my original post or you've gone "bloody" mad!  (hysterical)  Continue to post your responses to a question never posited.  By the way, using all caps to emphasize meaning is another tell regarding your aptitude for reading, and "witty repartee" is an amazing redundancy that made me laugh harder than I have in weeks, so thanks....oh, and yes....Cheerio!
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
I'm glad to hear that you WILL consider the "quick fix." Since you have informed me that you are NOT a moron, then you should be able to put two and two together and see that a night of excessive drinking equals a few days of horrid anxiety. Subtract the excessive drinking from your life, and more than likely, you will also rid yourself of the resulting anxiety. Who is it that has difficulty with reading comprehension?
That your doctor has prescribed a med like Xanax to help you cope with your "excessive drinking, anxiety driven hang-overs," is just short of being a bloody quack! No, I take that back. He IS a quack. A stern lecture about binge drinking, prescribing a couple of aspirin and encouraging you to get into some therapy for your anxiety issues would be the better course of treatment.
I would also spend some time educating myself about anxiety, its causes and symptoms........reading some posts on this forum will give you a good head start on that. And you suggest that I read a book. (Such a witty repartee!) What do you suggest? Perhaps I'll finish "Binge Drinking for Dummies."
Peace
Greenlydia  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's not that I "won't consider" the quick fix.  It's that I am not a moron needing to be told not to drink excessively.  I was actually curious about the medical effects and how it does what it does.  I was never in a sorority or anything resembling it.  And, yes, I can and do enjoy myself without alcohol or when I go out and have just a few drinks.  Perhaps my query is better suited for the alcohol forum where the actual biology is discussed.  To all others, I appreciate the thoughts.  

Oh, and by the way...clearly your reading comprehension is low, but to reiterate....my doctor prescribed the Xanax to take when I have the anxiety after the nights out, and part of the query was to ask why anyone supposes he did that.  Your vile response, while a true non sequitor to my post, lets me know you think that's a bad idea, but...again, I was wondering about the "why" of it because I don't know much about anxiety.  I will forward my questions to my primary health provider.  Read a book.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Duckandcover...great post (along with all of the others of course)...but you said it perfectly.  Regardless of ALL of the reasons WHY it affects anxiety...bottom line is...it does....in the case of the OP.  I agree that going to drastic measures to avoid ANY anxiety trigger regardless of what it is makes total sense.

I hope that littlemoe is at least reading and taking all of this in.  I used to be a heavy binge drinker when I was in my early 20's....and I remember just how out of control my anxiety was.  While I DID seriously enjoy social drinking in moderation...I mostly gave that up as well....b/c it just wasn't worth it to me to have to deal with all of the anxiety.

Of course everyone is different....but if there is overwhelming evidence showing that alcohol is a significant trigger...I would try to avoid it at all costs.  And, yes...using Xanax in the manner you are is not only inappropiate and will end up ineffective in the long run...but it could also be dangerous.  Give that some thought, please.

Good Luck!
Helpful - 0
396099 tn?1216254986
Anxiety is such an awful feeling that it's difficult for me to understand how anyone can deliberately go BACK to a trigger that would cause a full week of it.  I noticed the exact same thing early on when my anxiety phases began and today I have a 1 glass of wine or 2 beer limit.  On most days it's zero.  Anxiety *****.  I do what you can to avoid it.  If you're not sure if you're addicted to alcohol, there's  a good forum for it right here on medhelp.  Go talk to people.  Get educated.

Good Luck
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
OK, I won't give you the "easy quick fix cop-out quit drinking" lecture. You've made it clear that is a road you won't even consider. I see that you are 30 years old. Don't you think you should be beyond the 19 year old sorority girl "escessive drinking" phase of your life? Is it not possible for you to enjoy just a few cocktails with friends without ending up under the bus?
I'm done discussing your alcohol intake. Only YOU can make that change.
But what I WILL get on you about is taking alprozalam as some sort of "hair of the dog!" Do you have any idea just how stupid that is? How bloody dangerous?
If you had been a member since before yesterday, you would know that those of us on this forum recently lost one of our members when she got drunk and took too many Xanax. It was a tragic error that cost her her life.
I don't know why you have anxiety for days after one of your excessive drinking bouts except to echo what has already been said on here. You know that alcohol is a depressant, makes you feel good while you're high, but the landing is ALWAYS a crash. You are probably dealing with a certain amount of alcohol poisioning, dehydration, lack of restful sleep and a host of other ailments that your body is desperately trying to deal with. Time to listen to your body.
I hope you take a good long look at your present lifestyle.
And yes............I DO drink.
Greenlydia
Helpful - 0
547573 tn?1234655710
Namaste,

Everyone here have made excellent comments/suggestions and I agree that the alcohol is probably the cause of your condition, although tere could be another psycholgical issue involved. Only a  qualified mental health professional could tell you that.

And, as nursegirl said, alcohol is a depressant and withdrawal from it can simulate the effects of a panic attack.

Take the suggestions to either drink in moderation or, although, you don't want to here it, stop deinking completely. Obviously, you are using to self medicate so I think there are deeper issues that need to be addressed or you may be predisposed to acoholism.

Regardless, seek the advice of a professional and be truthful about your drinking habits(i.e. quantity, number of times a week, etc.) otherwise don't bother with the visit.

This may be harsh, but coming from an alcoholic himslef(I've been sober over 6 years) and one who knows about self medicating, I suggest you seriously consider what has been said in this forum.

Finally, don't use your medication with alcohol. It's a dangerous combination and can lead to even more problems.

Michael(Jikan)
Helpful - 0
214277 tn?1211817033
i have the same problem. i have been drinking socially for 20 come odd years. i know suffer from anxiety and i notice that the next day after a good night of 10 beers or more i am shaky, my heart feels as its racing and i almost go into a panic attack. i get extremly nervious and then i feel like something is wrong with me. sometimes this happens and sometimes it doesnt. i do not now why it does or doesnt. i drank alot last saturday and i was fine the next morning with no anxiety but come monday through today i have had a very anxious week. when the anxiety starts for me i worry about everything. my thing is my health. i am a hypochodriac and i am very very sensitve to my body. this only started 2 1/2 years ago and not sure what started it but i HATE it. i am about to go on meds for the but dont want to cuz i know i can be stronger then it but it always wins. i have not stopped drinking but if its bad the net day i will take a 1.2 a xanax to calm me down and it seems to work but its a horrible feeling and i only drink once a week and i love that once a week but hate the rest of the weeks. good luck and if you find answers tell me..
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Alcohol is just about the wrost thing for anxiety and panic...sure you feel great when you're drinking...but the after effects are awful.  And that is because it is a depressant.  I pretty much gave it up completely after I realized that the few days after a night of drinking sent me into panic city.

If I could offer you any advice....it would be to either stop drinking all together....or at least only drink in moderation.  I never noticed the post-drinking panic as much when I only had a "few" versus getting sloshed.

Good luck.
Helpful - 0
531684 tn?1216745984
I have the same exact problem. I love drinking, its very social and it does help to calm my nerves. Until the next day, which is awful. Yet, I still drink.

Anyway, I think it has to do with the withdrawl of alcohol. That doesn't mean your an alcoholic. You're just more prone and sensative to body changes. So you analyze them.

Also, alcohol is a depressant. This obviously effects peoples moods. Up and down.

My advice, try yoga and eat breakfast every morning, even hung over. Never drink hard alcohol. Stick to beer and wine, this will help with the hangovers. Go for a run and work up a sweat in the morning, I know this is hard. And most importantly SLEEP. I've noticed if I get drunk and sleep in the next day, my anxiety is not bad. But, I rarely get a solid sleep because of the drinking. Do your best to get some sleep. To help you sip some chamomile tea.

If none of this works... grab another cold one. ;)

That last part is a slippery slope of course (and a joke), so be careful if you ever decide to do that. It's probably best to HAVE the hangover even if it causes anxiety.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Moe,

Alcohol can do, just about anything to a person. My husband almost died from drinking. I myself have been use to drink. I do not think you are any more susceptible than any other person who fights an addiction. Our bodies react difrently, at any given time to a host of different symptoms.

The effect is not a sign of alchoholism that i've evr heard. I think possibly your system is reacting to the with drawl from excessive drinking. This can give us racing thoughts for few days, which in turn..gives us anxiety. Did the doctor say what the Alprazolam is to be used for?

Hopefully someone else will also reply, as to give you their take on this. One way to find out is to actually go to a support group you find comfortable going to and get there fast! Lotta good stuff out there. You can always ask your family doctor his opinion.

Good Luck!
Snooze

Helpful - 0
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