Anxiety Attack

[Bob185]

I am new to this forum - I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks, where fear sometimes just grips me - I am also an alcoholic who is trying to stay sober and recentlty divorced after 20 years.  The lonliness of being with my family is sometimes unbearable.  Any suugestions/encouragent would be much appreciated.

[JSGeare]

"Hi Bob"

On the assumption that you are doing at least 2 meetings a week, here's an idea: map out as many different meeting sites as you can and plan to visit them all at some point. As you're pouring the coffee, you will encounter old timers of the local meeting and will, at some point, find someone who is on the same page with you -seek this out. Your "new" family for now (and forever, really) is the fellowship of AA. Get involved in it. I assume you do have a sponsor -so use the phone to stay in touch. If you have not yet availed yourself of the friends of Bill W -get moving. The relationship between panic and alcohol is by no means coincidental, and the realtionship between strong support of friends and recovery is no accident, either.

Please let us know how you are doing.

[AJWS6]

Hi Bob,
What I have learned from anxiety/panic is that, getting out and socializing really helps relieve the symptoms.  Loneliness can be a major trigger for anxiety/panic, at least for me.  

Distraction it the key to relieve or resolve anxiety or panic, if you haven't tried these, may I suggest, joining a sporting group or team, volunteer work, visiting support groups, sorry you feel so alone, but you don't have to be.  

I once called the national hotline, whom introduced me to a psychiatrist, I was able to talk to, that invited me to support groups for singles in my area, that go out and do things together etc.....  I live alone and sometimes just calling the national hotline and talking to someone helps me feel better, not so alone and so frightened.  They are great caring people and always willing to help.