alcohol withdrawal and anxiety

Question

Hi there i am new here i Have been sober For 9 days today and i am having mood swings is this normal ? I Have always have anxiety issues yesterday i was feeling super nice but today i feel anxious is this still part of the withdrawal

rpooo · Answer

It is also very important that you seperate yourself from others that are drinking. How old are you and how much do you drink on an average? Also how long have you been an alcoholic?

raebmv · Answer

Thanks for the advice. I am going to a meeting tonight at 7. I was just feeling so stuck and helpless earlier.

rod44 · Answer

Each time you drink you will get messed up. Detoxification is treatment for the physical dependence and can take a few days to a few weeks, it gets better with each day away from drink. The emotional issues we have we must deal with as part of our recovery, we need to find our triggers, what moves to pick up that first drink. You cant fix a problem on less you deal with every aspect of that problem. It comes down to how badly you want to get sober. People here have advised that you get to an AA meeting, this is good advice from people who have been down the road you are on now. 
Alcohol is a depressant, you will feel depressed after you drink and it will not just go away a few hours after your last drink.

raebmv · Answer

How long to detox? And what can help? Please, I am so messed up.

raebmv · Answer

I am really struggling. Even though I said I was done. I still had a drink last night.What is the first step in quitting? And please don't say AA. I just need some help getting started. It's a long binge and I just want it to end. I feel like crap and I have responsibilities, but I don't want to see people in this state. What do I do? Will this ever get better?

raebmv · Answer

Thank you for your comment. I intend to go to a meeting tomorrow. I am at the point that I really need some help.

rpooo · Answer

AA offers a wonderful method of support or so I have read time & time again. It still will require a lot of will power on your part. If what you meant to say is that you are self destructive then I have to tell you most alcoholics are. Some more so than others. Take a look at yourself and find the strength and reason you need to save your own life and the let AA provide the encouragement and support you need to maintain your sobriety. For me I had to think about the loved ones in my life that I know need me. Time for me being selfish and putting the drink first was over. I wish the best for you on you quest for sobriety!

Diagnosed 3-23-10
end stage cirrhosis
Randy

raebmv · Answer

I am destructive. I know I need help. I am going to AA. Does it really help?.

ibizan · Answer

Greyt comment Crash...couldn't agree w/u more....please keep posting in our forum......and yes viewing life thru a un-hazed alcohol/drug free lens is much better than what we were doing....which was self destructive.

crash2323 · Answer

Congrats on your 12 days--I hope it is higher by now.  I too have been on various medications for depression and anxiety.  It took me a long time to find an antidepressant my body would tolerate.  Many had bad side effects for me.  But after a lot of trial and error, we found a combo that has helped.  Of course, you've got to quit drinking--some things are dangerous to take with alcohol.  I believe that xanax is one that if you combine with with alcohol, you can quit breathing.  I know that is the case for Ativan, and xanax is in the same category of drugs.  I would definitely consult your doctor about any medication problems--I never hesitated to call if I felt there was a problem.  And your area I'm certain has somewhere to get counseling for free or on a sliding fee schedule, depending on your income.  Take advantage of it.  I wish you all the best.  It's not easy for any of us, but the more of sobriety I see, the more I like it better than being in an alcoholic haze.  It is truly a better life.

rpooo · Answer

Ibizan is exactly right, all changes with your medication need to go through your doctor.
It can take up to four weeks for Zoloft to fully be working. Everyone is different though. Some people feel the effects after only 3-4 days. Watch for any side effects from the drug as your doctor may need to adjust the dosage for you. It can be very dangerous for you to adjust your own dosage with out speaking with your doctor first. Now that you have began taking zoloft it is very important you remember to take it every day. I have no doubts this drug will take care of you anxiety once the dosage is corrected. 

If your doctor is not aware of your history with alcohol then you should talk to him/her and ask them to reconsider the drug xanax you are taking. This is not a good drug for alcoholics for many reasons. Well that about wraps things up here. ha ha Congradulations on your sobriety! 
Randy

ibizan · Answer

i would think that ur doc would be the best to answer this since it is a medical question warranting medical advice about a prescription drug!

avc00 · Answer

Hey can you help me with my last post nobody has answer my question 
Thanks

avc00 · Answer

Today is my 12 day alcohol free i am feeling a litle better i just dont know why i get so anxius in the mornings i have been sleeping 6 hours at night but as soon as wake up in the morning i get this feelings of like been worry and affraid they last most of the morning and noon is only late in the after25noon that start feeling normal again i have been taking zoloft 25 mg and xanax 0.5 mg wich i brought from 3 times a day to 2 times a day whenever i can should i talk to my doctor  about increasing the zoloft dossage or maybe is 12 days of treatment simply to soon to feel a radical change

ibizan · Answer

the county u reside in has a county funded outpatient substance abuse clinic that provides counseling.licensed counselors are employed there...they use a sliding fee scale or use medicaid/medicare to cover.how do u afford the doctors visits and prescription costs?

dominosarah · Answer

Please very careful with the zanax.  We can switch up addictions very easily.  Have you thought about AA?  That is free.

avc00 · Answer

No i have never been in to counseling For my anxiety before this episode i was a social drinker weekends only . But this time i just lost control till i realize i needed help so i did detox. The problem is i cant afford to therapist

ibizan · Answer

hope he uses this just for detox....then weans u off it.for how many years have u drank?other drug use?previous counseling for panic attacks?

avc00 · Answer

He prescribed xanax For the anxiety during detox besides i told him that i have had anxiety issues in the past including panic attacks

ibizan · Answer

ur doctor gave u xanax knowing ur alcohol history?yeegads that was not a good one to give u!highly habit forming and cannot be just stopped being taken!

avc00 · Answer

I already went to my doctor before stoping alcohol he told me that besides my alcohol problem i was having depression so he prescribed me xanax 0.5 3 times a day and zoloft 25 mg i was just wandering if this up and down was part of the hole process by the way thanks For replying

dominosarah · Answer

Congrats on 9 days sober!!  That is great!!  What you are feeling is normal and will get better with time.  I would highly recommend some sort of recovery care.  Using is just a symptom of what is going on.  We have to get to the bottom of why we numbed ourselves up.  We got used to walking around everything instead of thru it.  Keep this going~~sara

Tanis1318 · Answer

Hi,
What you are feeling is normal.  This will take awhile.  Part of it is your emotions learning to "feel" again.  It does get easier but it also helps if you find someone to talk to.  I don't know exactly how this site works but if there is a way and you need to talk, feel free to contact me.  For whatever it's worth i've got 38mos. sober and work in mental health and substance abuse recovery.
Take Care,
Rick