Awful numbness and panic from drinking

[The Hobbit]

I quit drinking for good about 6 months ago and I have promised myself that I will not drink at all this year. The reason I stopped is due to the awful symptoms I get the day after. The next day if I have drank a lot I will feel this horrible numbing sensation in my arms (it's like they don't belong to me) and I have difficulty breathing. I become extremely agoraphobic since I worry I will have a panic attack if I leave the house, and there is no way I can sleep the following night. As a result of these symptoms I would drink again to relieve them. I would try my best not to drink until closer to bedtime to get a good nights rest, but occasionally I would drink in the day time if I felt particularly panicky. Does anyone suffer from these same symptoms after drinking too much? Even if I have a few beers I will feel the numbness in my arms and hands the next day.

Why would drinking bring this panic state on? Do you think that it could be alcohol withdrawal?

[Coli788]

Hi

I  drankkk way too much on Easter and the next day I was feeling so out of wack. Tingling in my fingers,and neck I was very weak I felt like I couldn't stand I wasn't hungry and didn't eat the whole day. Now everytime I have gotten drunk after that the next day I get similar but not as severe feelings. Should I give up drinking completely? This never used to happen to me in college and now I just feel like Its not even worth it to drink

[hmf099]

I didn't get to read all the responses but I had to give you a response before I go to bed. I am an alcoholic in recovery and I suffer from GAD and OCD. I have felt what you felt, the drink to relieve the anxiety. Eventually, I could not stop drinking, even if I didn't have the anxiety. Those of us that mix anxiety and regular alcohol use will statistically develop a problem. You said you vowed not to drink this year. What changed your minf? If you KNEW what you would feel like after drinking and did it anyway, it might be time to talk to someone. If you suspected that you may feel differently cuz its been so long and now you know and don't want it anymore, MAYBE you caught it before it became a problem. How many days in a row did you drink? This sounds more like the after-anxiety than withdrawal, but because withdrawal is so dangerous, you can't be too careful. My withdrawal symptoms were anxiety, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, basically it was the worst, longest hangover ever but with more symptoms. I remember it well as I went through it about a half dozen times.I only withdrew under a dr's supervision though. Only you know if you have a drinking problem, but behavioral therapy can help with anxiety and drinking. Please keep us updated.

[johnnypg73]

My fiance' is having the numbess all over and she cant move and it's usally aftger a night of drinkin alhough the symptoms are always there only more prevelant after drinking does anyone know why?????

[joinedthis]

..::yeah'p ::..


if it weren't for that "magic" feeling i wouldn't have found your post. i haven't read any of the other comments, but i guess its as common as two. an' if one-and-one still make that, then sure as p is to funk, im alright. right? speaking of funk; funk it, im living right now, so... groovy. see you on the flip side!

[Anxious_Manna]

I know what you mean... I'm very... much so the same way.. whenever i drink my anxiety gets worse cept my stories diffrent mine had orignially came from smoking pot and now I drink... and ... I used to drink to get rid of it && now I Don't like to drink anymore, but yet I'm influenced by my boyfriend... and I don't like too, but when I Don't drink with him he' gets upset... idk... it sucks... I enjoy drinking too and now I Get numbing ness in my mouth though not my arms.. and then it causes my arms to tingle and my body gets cold.. and its like a cold.... flash kinda.. hard to explain.. I'm sorry you're going through the same thing .... I hope this eventually goes away so I can drink again .. which is bad, but it's messed up I can't party anymore... anywhoo if you need someone to talk too I"m here.... I may be 15... but I'm in the same boat as you..

Anxious_manna

[freddy750]

alcohol anxiety / anxiety alcohol / red rag to a bull
I think it will take a bit longer than 8 day,iam on 72 days still not right
you have got to be one very strong person to get passed this son of a b****h
all the best freddy

[freddy750]

alcohol anxiety / anxiety alcohol / red rage to a bull
I think it will take abit longer than 8 day,iam on 72 days still not right
you have got to be one very strong to get passed this son of a *****
all the best freddy

[Pool Guy]

I understand very well the symptons described. I have not had a drink for three weeks and I experienced these for the first 8 days and then felt pretty good for a week and the symptoms have returned after not having a drink for three weeks. Is this normal and when can I expect to feel normal again.

[suzi-q]

I feel that you should start with the drinking first.  Get off the stuff.  I know that cigarettes are very dangerous also, but liquor plays with chemicals in your brain to give you such a high feeling.  Of course, the reason for not sleeping nights IS the alcohol!  DEFINITELY MAKES THE HEART PUMP....STOP DRINKING...EVEN IF IT IS JUST FOR TODAY!

[Dafyddjohndavies]

Its amazing how many people suffer from these attacks. I have the same problem with alcohol, i used it to subdue the anxiety and to make myself sleep. Without alcohol i continue to have sleepless nights, but during the day sleep comes easily, i think its the pressure of wanting to go to sleep at night that brings about an anxiety problem in me. Its a viscious circle that i cant wait to stop. The alcohol problem is a massive cause of anxiety, the numbness you all talk about is horrible, my right ear goes slightly deaf, and pins and needles come into my whole body. I was told that this was due to the fact that i was over breathing, which is really difficult to stop.

The thought of giving up alcohol altogether irritates me because i really enjoy it, but i always get the anxiety problems the morning after, excersise does really help in overcoming this anxiety problem but when i get a hangover, excersise is the last thing on my mind. My problem now thought is anxiety from quitting smoking, this is a new challenge again, im getting so stressed from lack of nicotine that i need a drink to get rid of the anxiety. Its like a never ending struggle. 4days without sleep so far....Being health concious is killing me!!!!!

[Edward D.]

Suzi-Q

I completely agree with you on stating that a person who is experiencing anxiety  and using alcohol as a fix should avoid consuming  completely. I  started drinking at very young age.. I can remember drinking at high school parties at the age of 16. I am an alcoholic , 41 years of age next month and am on the path of recovery. Sober now for over 60 days. This is my first attempt at truly seeking help for my addiction. The only problem is that I have damaged my body , mainly my liver  so badly that I hope that I can reach the young age of 60. Anxiety and the panic attacks are just  something that I will have to over come. I chose my life style and now have to pay for its consequences. When I hear the questions  and complaints of wanting to continue to drink because I like it , I  whole heartedly  wish I could take a person aside and explain exactly how much harm they are doing to their body and mental state.  I am not sure of your ages  Hobbit and Johnjames, But if you are still young try to open your eyes and see what is really going on and how you can so easily fix your problems. I have been exactly where you are .. And in  some days right there with you. I have spent the last 2 years trying to educate myself on all the negative affects that alcohol can do unto the body and mind(mental state) and  along the way  I continued to accept my problems with a glass of  Whiskey.  But now that my body has forced me into accepting reality  it is a true struggle.  We are all strangers here in this forum typing down our concerns and  hoping that someone can miraculously  answer our problems with a quick fix. But the truth is that we all have what

[suzi-q]

I'm not exactly sure of your question, but I would like to say that if you feel better without alcohol, why would you want to drink again?  If you feel that you are obsessed with the thought of drinking, I would suggest there is an underlying alcohol problem.  I also lost both my parents within a 4 month period and I did drink a lot to numb the pain of loss...Alcohol never fixes anything.  The same problems are there...plus a hangover and possibly more problems from what you may have done the night before.  

One thing that I have learned....don't think of drinking as "never again" especially if you like the effects.  Say, "Just for today, I will not take a drink..." and then say it again tomorrow and so on.  

Once enough time is past you will see what caused the anxiety.  Hopefully for you it was the alcohol and you won't have to stuck in the panic mode like many of us are in.

Best to you.

[The Hobbit]

Wow, this really helps a lot, thanks for your time! A lot of this makes sense. I remember feeling that awful numbness the second I woke up on some occasions.

I have one more question if you would be so kind:

I got out of my vicious anxiety circle and am currently feeling really good. When this Christmas came around, I had not touched a drop of alcohol for months. Feeling good, I decided that I would have a drink to celebrate. I really thought that it would be fine. But the next day, sure enough, the affliction returned. The numbness, the shortness of breath, agrophobia, impending doom etc. Now, although I was not suffering anxiety before this night, is it safe to say that I will always suffer anxiety/panic attacks the night after drinking? Even though I hadn't had a drink for months, it still came back. I then took me about 3 days to feel 'normal' again. I had to slowly decrease my alcohol consumption each day, and by the 4th day or so I could sleep again naturally. It seems that the day after I have a lot to drink I am an instant alcoholic again. It's put me off booze for good. I have made a promise not to drink this year at all and I am pretty sure I can do it. The after effects just are not worth it anymore.

Would you say that it is more likely I had underlying panic before the alcohol, or that alcohol brought the panic on? I did used to abuse stimulants many years ago and I lost my mother and father within a year (heart attack, brain tumor respectively).

Thanks for your help :)

[Edward D.]

Alcohol can be a double negative for those with a stress or anxiety condition. First alcohol is converted to sugar in the body when ingested. This conversion can affect the bodies blood sugar level dramatically , causing the  blood sugar spike and then plunge phenomenon. As well, alcohol blocks the body

[The Hobbit]

Do you think you could help me locate please my friend? Do you have a post title or something? I am really interested in reading up on this. Thank you for your time :)

[Edward D.]

Alcohol and Anxiety:
Alcohol Aggravates Anxiety Symptoms
Alcohol and anxiety can be a treacherous combination.
Research suggests that the prevalence of alcohol dependence is twice as high in people with anxiety disorders than in the general population.


According to a recent report by the National Institute of Health (NIH), anxiety is a strong psychological risk factor associated with heavy or problem drinking. Other risk factors include an impulsive personality or a family history of alcohol abuse. When alcohol and anxiety are combined, there are many serious problems that occur.
Social anxiety is the most common type of anxiety disorder and it affects 15% of all Americans. It can trigger a host of physical symptoms, anxious thoughts and avoidance behaviors.
People with anxiety may be tempted to drink before and/or during social engagements as it may initially decrease their anxiety.
The truth is that alcohol can actually trigger panic attacks. It depresses the central nervous system and causes fatigue, agitation and anxiety. It is ironic that individuals engage in an activity that produces effects similar to the ones they are trying to relieve.
When the alcohol begins to wear off, anxious people are likely to experience shakiness, headaches and nausea.
Alcohol does not mix well with anxiety medications. Sedatives of any kind should never be combined with alcohol. The interaction of alcohol with benzodiazepines can depress both breathing and blood pressure, possibly causing coma or death.
The same qualities in alcohol that may initially cause relaxation also affect your ability to remember, understand and make decisions. A person may experience minor relief from panic after drinking alcohol only to discover that as it wears off, his anxiety returns more intensely than before.
In his insightful book titled "Prisoners Of Our Thoughts" Gary Miller counsels readers not to the make the same mistakes he made.
"Adults have self- destructive ways of coping with anxiety. For any of you that are currently using alcohol to help, please realize this not a cure. In the short term, you may think it feels good but in the long term it will only bring on other issues. I'm not saying an occasional drink or two is bad. Everyone has their own opinions on drinking. But when you drink excessively to dull your anxieties, then you are on the wrong path. "
If you or a loved one suffers from alcohol and anxiety, see your health professional. Working together, you can develop a treatment plan that will free you from the vicious cycle of alcohol and anxiety.

[chcnme]

Look down the list here and read things by chicagopsy, who gives some wonderful explanations on why alcohol does this.  Maybe they will come here and write a note to you specifically,  but if not -- look down the list and read the things by them.  This past month (maybe a little more)  I've seen two or three really good explanations by them on the effects of alcohol and panic attacks  (you might have to search back that far, but the notes are somewhere on the board.)