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Anxiety after quitting drinking

I'm a 23 yr male, been drinking what would considered to be heavy since about 18, but I started  altogether at about  age 16. From 18 until now, I would usually get drunk at least 3 times a week or more, and in the inbetween nights usually have a few or sometimes none. I could  go without for a few days and feel fine. About a year ago I noticed some anxiety. In the last half year I found it getting worse and never realized I was bringing it on from drinking. The anxiety seemed managable while drinking but every two or three days without I would feel the need more. I found out 3 months ago that my gf was pregnant, this led to more drinking to relax. After feeling pretty crappy about everything I decided to quit. Knowing I quit brought on some anxiety/depression, but around the 4th day, it really started. Even if I was not thinking about anything/stressing, I would feel uncontrolable anxiety like I'm constantly racing. I'm on day 13 right now and the last 2 days have felt better and I'm doing lots of things to relieive anxiety. These symptoms are worst in the morning when I wake up. I also have some depression feelings. Just in the last few days I started to slightly feel like doing anything, but the anxiety has slowed me down. Positive excitement feelings that I havent had in awhile will trigger the anxiety. Are these feelings normal withdrawal symptoms of quitting? HOW LONG CAN IT LAST? I feel the drinking is the cause of the anxiety/depression and would like to ride this out and get better naturally.
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Avatar universal
Your comments have helped me more than you know.  I too am 41 going on 42 in 4 months.  I've been drinking daily for about 10 years.  It got to a point where I was drinking 4 shots of tequila and 12 beers daily and this was all in a span of 5 hours. Alcohol started to make me sick and dizzy after drinking one beverage in the past year so I cut down.  2 weeks ago after a week away from drinking I drank a beer and immediatlely got dizzy and nauseous.  I told myself no more after that.  It's been 2 weeks now since I've drank and after that last spell I have no desire to pick it up again.  I'm definetely having dizziness and anxiety.  I've tried to start a work out program and will continue to gain momentum. I've been getting dizzy in the mornings with anxiety and I've noticed that I get slightly dizzy when I work out and get my heart rate up.  I had an echo done in 2009 and all was normal so I'm sure I'm just going through the hell that everyone here is talking about.  On another note I just lost my neighbor this past week to acohol.  He was only 55.  He was a major alcoholic drinking from morning until night.  He went last month to rehab and was doing fine when he had a major stroke in rehab.  They kept him on life support long enough for his family to say good bye.  That too was a wake up call for me never to pick up a drink again. Than you RINJER for your comments.  It was almost like looking in a mirror seeing what I'm going through but through your eyes. Thanks
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Avatar universal
my son is on librium to assist in quitting drinking after 20 year++he is in the hospital due to falling off the roof of my parents home breaking his hip.....now he faces physical rehabilitation and getting off the alcohol too....anybody else had experience with this drug?  /the Drs don't want him to have the DT's as it would be dangerous to him.
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Avatar universal
Northside, I'm late in responding, but withdrawing from drinking by yourself can be VERY, VERY dangerous. You need to talk to your doctor about this. The preferred way to do it is in an in-patient detox facility. Initial withdrawal symptoms usually peak within 3 days and last a total about 7 days. Anxiety is likely to continue at some level for about 6 months, but it will go down a lot! Talk do your doctors ASAP. Good luck to you!
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Hi my name is adam, ive been drinking since i was 15 and now im 31. its now time to quit because my helth is falling downword. i started out with 6 beers a day and now up to 15. i went to the dr and thay siad my liver enzymes were high and also cholesteral and tryglyserides were 1200 and thay should be 100. im 6 ft tall and am 140 lbs. dr claims all my helth issues are from drinking. i feel very depressed and have panic attacks all the time. every day no matter what i do i alwase have abeer in my hand and now i dont feel right at all. this is my first day without one and i just feel very depressed how long will this last.
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Avatar universal
Hey try this stuff guys. It has been helping me allot with no side effects. Just don't take with prescription drugs.

Herb:
Passion flower or Passiflora is a genus of about 500 species comes under the class Angiospermae (flowering plants). Passion flower is from the family Passifloraceae. Passiflora is the genus name of the passion flower. These plants are mostly vines, some are shrubs, and a few of them are herbs. Passion flower is also known as maypop. It is a woody vine with attractive and bright colored flowers. The plant produces small berry-like fruit called granadilla or water lemon. The aerial parts of the plant are collected during the fruiting season and then dried for the future processing. In passion flower the axillary bud is modified into the tendril. The family Passifloraceae is found worldwide, except Europe and Antarctica. Passion flower is a native perennial vine of the southeastern United States. Passion flower can be found growing in sandy thickets and open fields, road slides, fence rows and waste places. Passion flower is edible and medicinal.

The Passion Flower family consists mostly of climbing herbs with alternate leaves and tendrils growing from the leaf axils. Several species of the family are cultivated for their fruit in the tropics, others in warm parts of the world for their showy flowers. The family takes its common name from myths and stories that have been told about its complicated and intricate blossoms, which are said to include many symbols of the crucifixation of Christ. The Christian symbolism of their flowers probably began with the conquistadors who reportedly saw the symbolism as divine inspiration for their missionary work. In Mexico Passion Flower is called the Flower of the Five Wounds.

Passion flower can be cultivated by root or seed. It requires well-drained soil, sandy slightly acid soil in full sun. Passion flower has many beautiful large and aromatic flowers; it grows very quickly and produces edible fruit. The flowers bloom from June to August. The Passion fruit is yellow-green when it is ripe and has the size of a hen’s egg. The yellow pulp is sweet and edible. The passion flowers have a unique flower structure. The size and structure of flowers of different species of passion flower vary. Corona is well seen in passion flower. Corona is an additional whorl made up of lobes, scales of hairs, free or united. The mode of pollination is zoophily in which animals are the pollinating agents and but some are self pollinating. The passion flower species are used as food by the larva and moth.

Passion Flower got its name from center of the flower blossom. It resembles the Crown of Thorns given on Jesus of Nazareth. Passion Flower, the symbol of the crucification during the early seventeenth century, was professed to be seen by the early Jesuit priests and other explorers from Spain and Italy and interpreted this as a sign of divine assurance for the success of their efforts to convert the natives to Catholicism.

Uses of Passion Flower:

1.Passion Flower is used in herbalism as a sedative, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, and analgesic. It has been used in the past specifically for neuralgia, generalized seizures, hysteria, tachycardia, headaches, asthma, insomnia, earaches, dysmenorrheal and inflammations. Some herbalists use Passion Flower for treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Passion Flower often is used in combination with other herbs such as valerian, chamomile, and hops for promoting relaxation, rest, and sleep. Passion Flower and chamomile combinations have been used for anxiety, muscle tension, insomnia, and nervous headaches.

2.Passion Flower in a tea formulation to help women who have been unsuccessful in conceiving a child. Often women become very anxious when they are unsuccessful in conceiving easily. Passion Flower can prove helpful in preparing a woman for pregnancy.

3.In Italy, Passion Flower has been used to treat hyperactive children.

4.Passion Flower can best be used in nervous problems with children such as muscle twitching and irritability and is also helpful with problems of concentration in school children.

5.Passion Flower is used for increasing the rate of respiration and produces a temporary reduction of blood pressure. It helps to vitalize the sympathetic nervous system in weakened conditions improving circulation and nutrition of the nerve centers.

6.In elderly people, Passion Flower is good for sciatica and general nerve debility.

7.Passion Flower can be used to calm nervous that get on edge during the periods of hormonal adjustment common to most women.

8.Passion Flower is quieting and soothing to the nervous system and yet there are no side effects of depression or disorientation.

9.Passion Flower is rich in flavonoids. It is effective in combinations to overcome Alcohol abuse without the accompanying, narcotic hangover.

10.Passion Flower can be helpful for people who do not want to continue dependence on synthetic sleeping pills and tranquilizers.

11.It has been noted that Passion Flower kills that bacteria that is said to causes eye irritations. A claim is made that in some cases it surpasses in results to commercial products that are given for inflamed eyes and weakness of vision.

12.Passion Flower is available in a number of homeopathic remedies.

Passion Flower has been found to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, to aid, without side effects, sleeplessness caused by brain inflammations.

By Jayashree Pakhare link: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/passion-flower.html
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Avatar universal
Hi, my name is Kevin and i will try and get to the point as quickly as I can. I am what is known as a binge drinker, I would drink for a few days and then quit for a few weeks and then hit the sauce very hard again. I got into an accident on my motorscooter about 2 years ago and temporarily quit for 5 months then I started heavy again. I am 43, almost 44 now and have been drinking on and off since about 15-16. I am going through absolute hell right now with quitting. It has been almost 2 months now. Funny thing is is that I dont feel like drinking at all which is a good thing. Some days I feel pretty good, but what really bothers my *** is that i get massive anxiety attacks. Virtually dizzy all the time and it doesn't really matter what I eat or when I eat. I find that when I get these attacks I get confused and can barely talk or communicate so I will keep pacing or just go for a nice walk by myself. I know most of you are feeling the same way which is kinda nice to hear because I really thought something was majorly wrong with me, well, like cancer or a brain tumor. I have been thoroughly checked out with all the scans and blood tests and they could not find anything wrong with me. If I knew this was going to happen I would have never started drinking, this is far worse than I ever had imagined. Tell your children that drinking is ******** because you feel like ******** and that you are just throwing your life , money and relationships away for a useless cause. I cant wait to start feeling better. I am very healthy otherwise and not obese, but this drinking eventually catches up with you.
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Avatar universal
Hi, my name is Kevin and i will try and get to the point as quickly as I can. I am what is known as a binge drinker, I would drink for a few days and then quit for a few weeks and then hit the sauce very hard again. I got into an accident on my motorscooter about 2 years ago and temporarily quit for 5 months then I started heavy again. I am 43, almost 44 now and have been drinking on and off since about 15-16. I am going through absolute hell right now with quitting. It has been almost 2 months now. Funny thing is is that I dont feel like drinking at all which is a good thing. Some days I feel pretty good, but what really bothers my *** is that i get massive anxiety attacks. Virtually dizzy all the time and it doesn't really matter what I eat or when I eat. I find that when I get these attacks I get confused and can barely talk or communicate so I will keep pacing or just go for a nice walk by myself. I know most of you are feeling the same way which is kinda nice to hear because I really thought something was majorly wrong with me, well, like cancer or a brain tumor. I have been thoroughly checked out with all the scans and blood tests and they could not find anything wrong with me. If I knew this was going to happen I would have never started drinking, this is far worse than I ever had imagined. Tell your children that drinking is ******** because you feel like ******** and that you are just throwing your life , money and relationships away for a useless cause. I cant wait to start feeling better. I am very healthy otherwise and not obese, but this drinking eventually catches up with you.
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Avatar universal
I thought i was going crazy because of the anxiety I was experiencing. And i was thinking about what could it be. I was thinking should i get an MRI done. After talking to my wife and finding this forum. We know it is from drinking. I started drinking when i was young 16-25 then i quite for five years, at age 30-32 I started again with making my own beer and was getting into the dark beers. I was telling myself it was cheaper and better for me, (wrong!)  Not only did I Drink more but the stuff i made was stronger than most store bought beers. And I ended up going through 5 gallons every two weeks. I finally stopping because i didn't have any money one month and realized my family was more important. Now I have been having anxiety attacks, They come on from worrying about anything, even life itself. The only time I remember having this anxiety was the first time i stopped drinking - so  we believe drinking is the cause. It has been almost 2 months, I still have been having anxiety attacks but at least now we know why. I have started going to church again after almost 7 years and I believe God can help us get through this. Also talking to others and not focusing on yourself but others, helps as well. We will make it through this your Not alone. :)  - Travis A
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Avatar universal
I'm 44 years old and thisis my first weekend with out a beer or cooler but' i know i'm going to get the sweats and feel sorry for myself ....i have 3 grandsons and i want to see them grow up sooo life long drinker is not a life ...my husband is going through a lot with his health ...this is one of the reasons i'm quitting is too look after him and hope we can make it ...cause he expierenced something last monday that scared the **** out of us ....he was throwing up blood and now we vowed to look after our health together ....cause we 2 more beautiful daughters to raise .....we have been moderate drinkers only on weekends but got to the point it was an all night thing till early mornings ...:( but pos. side we quit ....
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Avatar universal
Hello everyone

I dont know how long i have been a heavy drinker for years,but i do know that i use to drink about 15 beers a day, i am 2 months dry and i a really feelin crappy, my mind feels dizzy confusion, groggy, i have been to doctors and had mri's done,and they cannot find anything other than to tell me it is withdrawals,but i will tell u i am now 2 months sober, and this anxiety and stress and withdrawal *****, i am fighting this but it is really tough, it gives me headaches, and different types of pains in my brain, i get really weak in my arms and legs, and when i eat anything with sugar i just want to lay down the rest of the day, i have had my blood sugar checked, and it was fine, does anyone know what this is
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Avatar universal
Hi,
I was just reading all of everyones comments on drinking and the effects it's had on you once you quit.  Even though I was not a heavy drinker I can so relate.  My boyfriend has quit drinking just a couple of months ago. I guess I never really thought of him as an alcoholic because he was more of a binge drinker. He could go days without alcohol and than go out and have 20 drinks!!!!! Of course this effected our relationship....
He went to see a therapist because he was severely depressed for months at a time. This therapist  specialises in addiction, and she said, "IF YOUR GOING TO CONTINUE TO DRINK I AM NOT GOING TO WORK WITH YOU"..I liked her right away for that..She said what your doing is trying to help yourself feel better and the drinking is pushing you right back down so your running into a wall..
He quit drinking it's been over two months and I can tell you it's been the hardest thing for him, for me, for the relationship. He is extremely irritable, angry, anxious,resentful towards me its like he's a different human being. He's also hypo manic!!! and really going through recovery you have shouldnt be in a relationship...Were trying the best we can to get through this and work on ourselfs...
To anyone who's going through this, or is in a relationship with someone whos' going through recovery, my hats off to you!!!All I can say is hang in there, and take this time to focus on yourself and noone else...GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
I used to also drink 2-3 x per week to excess habitually, and I did this for 9 years after several traumatic losses in my family.  Recently, I've stopped cold turkey due to a diagnosis of borderline high blood pressure.  I am also mildly to moderately obese now from years of drinking, which put about 100 extra pounds on my then 119 pound body. I've stopped drinking, lost 20 pounds thus far, and have been completely sober for almost a month and a half.  I've also experienced severe panic attacks that have left me pacing the floor for five or six hours every single night for the first three weeks, until my doctor consulted a nutritionalist who suggested I take 200 mg of L-Theanine, twice daily.  The panic attacks are gone, and sometimes they start to come on, but never manifest themselves.  Whenever I skip a dose of the L-Theanine, though, I have a panic attack within a few short hours.  My blood pressure is now very good. I avoid a lot of sodium, eat whole foods (not processed), exercise daily, etc., and still worry about my health to the extent that my worst health fears seem to manifest themselves.  It's like living a perpetual nightmare from which I cannot awaken.  If it wasn't for the L-Theanine, I don't think I could function at all.  I'm also having recent memory problems, too.  My friends tell me it could all be the result of years of alcohol abuse, but if that were the case, I think it would be getting better by now.  It seems like just when one thing gets better as far as my health goes, another problem manifests itself.  To anyone who is considering quitting, I urge them to do so whilst they are still young or haven't been doing it as long as I did.  It's hell on earth when you've waited until the stuff has wreaked havoc on your body and mind the way it has mine.
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Avatar universal
I quit drinking about six years ago after about 18 years of pretty heavy drinking.  I quit after I realized that the drinking had gone from recreation to my primary coping mechanism in life.  I spent a lot of time at a support group I won't mention by name, and it helped, because they had all been there, and did stuff to help me keep my mind straight.  One thing I learned that helped a lot for me was to keep myself well fed, since alcohol metabolizes into sugar quickly in the body, it was helpful for me to always have around snacks, and even stuff like ensure to get my blood sugar up a little.  It seemed to have some calming effects.  Aside from that if anyone goes to an alcohol group for help, if you feel like you need to see a doctor about your anxiety, never let anyone tell you otherwise.
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Avatar universal
Hey Bud,
I have had anxiety & depression issues for years. I have found exercize to help..changes the bodies chemistry....endorphines and what not. I'm also a believer in the spiritual side of things. You might think this crazy, but I would suggest finding a quiet place when you have the time and speak with all sincerity to God or one of it's agents. You might be surprised what happens. You're never alone. Good luck to you.
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Avatar universal
ive been drinking since i was 15 and now 40 and i drank 12 or more beer evry day i have a bad heart so decided to quit for me and my family and grand kids im 13 days sober now and was woundering if the heart burn and bloted and tight feeling in my stomach and stomach pain is from withdrals from not drinking
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Yeah, I've been drinking since I was 15 and I'm 27 now and It's been almost a month of maybe having 1 or 2 drinks, as of now I'm ready to give it my all, I'm also getting bad anxiety attacks, thinking somethings wrong and tripping out, I figure it's from the drug use I've been involved in the past that and the excessive drinking..

So then it's normal to have an unconformable feeling in your gut and slower mental thought processes and to be paranoid ?
Because I'm still tripping out at night and can't sleep and having issues socializing now.
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Avatar universal
This story helps. I am in a VERY similar situation right now. Have started drinking at the age of 19, now I am 24. I also have been drinking 3 to 4 times a week. A lot what you wrote seems familiar- especially worried about positive excitement emotions turning into anxiety. Now it's my 3rd day sober and feeling really anxious but according to your story it won't be that fast till it gets better.
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Avatar universal
I would say that you are going through withdrawal.  And also while going through the physical symptoms, you are feeling feelings that have been numbed by the alcohol for so many years.  Once the physical symptoms go away, you will have a road to travel feeling the feelings that have been stowed away so long.  Hang in there.  The light at the end of the tunnel is brighter than anything you could think of!!!
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Avatar universal
yeah just hang in there. You drank for 5 years so its going to take a few weeks to a month for your body to adjust. You will have some good days and some bad days but once you feel better you will be happy you did it cause you will feel great. try to keep busy cause just sitting around thinking about will just make it worse. Good luck!!
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Avatar universal
man..just be positve and try to be active like jogging/walking or whatever soccer or hockey..even if you feel like **** or bummed out just do it you will feel so much better and remember don't reach for the bottle until you crack this and dont' reach for it anymore if you dont want to..anxiety sucks trust me but being postive is the key...don't worry nothign serious if the heart gets tight or fast all anxiety...

dont stress it and stay strong

Tony
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