anxiety/panic attacks from alcohol withdrawal?

MWEDCC · Newbie Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 5

Yep, so the horrible panic and anxiety went away after about a week of hell. Now three weeks later I drank just beer the other night about 12 and felt fine the next day, three days later I went out and got hammered on vodka red bull and hard a, next day anxiety is back. I guess im going to quit drinking for awile and if I do, im going to try just beer.

Guest · Guest

Hungover, then bam? I'd like to say I've seen a link to overdrinking in my case. I don't really touch hard liquor anymore. But I do enjoy beer, and lots of it. The next day I'm usually fine. Maybe tired, but otherwise fine. And I dont notice those feelings next day or that uneasy, "maybe it's oneof those days" feeling. But yes, now in my 30s, I've had my first panic attacks.

It's when I've had too much beer, emty stomach, than toss in a glass of wine. Next day will be uneasy, something lurking, and just not feeling secure. I finally caved in and got Xanax to stop them. Taken only when needed. Last one lasted 30min.. 10 of which was crazy feeling. Turns out I was only given lowest dose of Xanax and had to take 3. Then it stopped. But yes, I NEVER get them when I dont drink the night before. But if I push it hard, add wine on top of too much beer... look out. Not sure why.. but feel chemically, the brain is swimming and coping with being hungover. They do exist in my family so...??? Genetic?? But yes, next day, feeling hungover, I know they can come. Advice to you folks: Before drinking, eat food, drink water, and get emergency pills just in case. Getting wasted is just so harmful and unnecessary anymore.

Guest · Guest

At age 29, I decided to go through a cleanse and stop drinking for awhile. Up to then, I'd been drinking daily, moderate to heavy in the evenings.
I definitely experienced anxiety, especially in the evenings. I felt like things were closing in on me. I wanted to run. I'd also wake up and feel a sort of foreboding sense of evil. I read someone else described in as something "lurking" around.
I did deep breathing and prayed each time. I also cried and screamed at times. For me, it worked every time and I never had a full blown "attack".
I believe everyone needs to find his or her own meaning of these experiences, but I definitely found grace in the spiritual realm, and not once did I need to take sedatives. Rather, I decided that these experiences were blessings that helped keep me clean.

Here's some things I did:
I stopped all caffeine by 2pm. I drank lots of water, especially before bed. I ate bananas (potassium). One every morning and one before bed.
I had a meaningful physical object to cling to should I awake. It provides grounding. I personally kept a tourmaline gemstone by my bed because it meant protection to me.
And I spoke aloud to God and simply asked for strength.
And I let the emotions flow. Crying, although painful, was a wonderful release.

Within 2 months, it all stopped. I feel solid now, and have for the past 5 years now. Most importantly, I now know I can handle the darkness and face fears, for I am not alone.

Blessings on your journey. And remember what Churchill said, "If you're going through hell, keep going". Don't stop there. Don't accept it as truth. Keep moving into the Light.

stiritup14 · Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

I am 25 and started drinking when I was 15. I decided to quit about a month and a half ago because of problems I was enduring. The last couple of years I have been drinking often and the two months leading up to a month and a half ago when I quit, was pretty heavy. I was drinking 3 to 4 nights a week 10 to 15 drinks. At the end of the two months, I went on a 3 day binger, the first night I drank wine with a few shots and topped it off with some kulua mixed drinks, the next night I drank a bottle of sake and some thick belgium beers alone, passed out on the couch and then carried over into the next day with 8 hours of beer and shots with friends. On the fourth day my vision was strange. It was blurry and transient and I felt really out of it. A couple of days later I felt extreme paranoia, anxiety, crawling sensations up my back, a foggy slow mind, and a general feeling of insanity. A few times it seemed like I was almost hearing voices. So I cold-turkeyed and now, a month and a half later I have been doing better. I still feel anxiety here and there. When I drink NA beers it seems like the symptoms come back, my vision and mind get foggy again, anxiety comes back for a few days and my focus is not there. Lately I have been feeling fine for 2 or 3 days and then the symptoms will come back again sometimes without any NA's, (anxiety, transient visuals and a foggy head), although not nearly as bad as when I first quit. It find it weird that the symtoms would come back even after drinking non-alcoholic beer. I hope these symptoms will subside completely soon, but I guess everyone recovers from the bottle at their own pace. Anyone have any advice on foods or medications to help relieve symptoms or perhaps things to avoid?

Guest · Guest

I believe that (at least in my case), there is a direct 1:1 correlation between alcohol use, alcohol withdrawal, and panic attacks.
My first panic attack was two years ago, after a night of heavy drinking.
Then, after 30 years of drug and alcohol use/abuse I put myself through treatment and was sober for more than a year.
I made a mistake back in July and drank, and by the next day, was in the Emergency Room thinking that I was having a heart attack...
Four ER visits and four normal E.K.G.'s later it finally dawned on me; 'I'm NOT having a heart attack, I'm having a panic attack'.

EVERY time that I drink, within 24 hours, I end up having repeated panic attacks, which, in turn have brought me to the point of drinking regularly again to stave off the attacks.
But now, thanks to reading the previous posts, I know that it's time to stop drinking again.
I can live through a couple of days of withdrawal and panic, as I know that I won't be drinking again to aggravate the situation.
To all of you who have shared your stories, I thank you.
In a way, it's kind of comforting to know that this phenomena is not unique to me...

cchun01 · Newbie Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

I am currently experiencing anxiety. Let me start from the begining, I have had two panic attacks when I was younger, around 14 and 18. Both were induced by smoking weed. I had a anxiety attack which was induced by final exams (I'm in college to be a nurse, GO FIGURE). I had not experienced anxiety what so ever after that until about a year ago (I am 22 now). I have also binge drank since the age of 13. A year ago I drank so much I blacked out and couldn't remember anything. THe next day I had a panic attack, I told NO ONE. I was embarressed, ashamed, scared and thought I was going insane. I didn't understand because ther was nothing clear to me at the time that could trigger an attack. So for an ENTIRE YEAR I suffered from paranoia and anxiety becaue I was ALWAYS thinking I would have an attack again. I drank excessive amounts of caffeine which trigger a small attack but nothing further and I knew the cafeine would wear off. I have still bing drank thoughout the year. Recently I drank again and blacked out, I had a full blown panic attack the next day and ended up in the hospital. Since then I have felt anxiety a little but today (a week later, and I have not drank since) I started having symptoms of the begining of an anxiety attack. I took a xanax and it calmed me down. I don't want to become dependent on anti-anxiety medications, I just want to go back and live my life. Does anyone know anything or any suggestions for me? If I stop drinking will they go away? How long will this take? WHen I have anxiety I also experience feelings of a dream like state, that im on autoplay sometimes. I'm so scared that I am going insane sometimes. Can anyone relate to this? I had the anxiety just laying in bed watching T.V.? Sometimes I just zone out for a minute, which is completely uncharacterist of me, I used to be the most attentive person. I know so many people that drink and they have no anxiety at all. THank you for listening to me bable, but I feel alone wtih friends and family who don't understand anxiety and the horrible effects on a persons life. Please respond. Candi

Guest · Guest

I am currently experiencing anxiety from alcohol w/d. I have been a binge drinker since the age of 15 (I am 30 now) and the other night I drank like 12 beers (I am petite) and I have been sick for two days. I don't ever want to touch alcohol again.

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and severe hypochondria and now I think I've damaged my liver, kidneys, heart and/or brain from this latest binge. I want to go to the doctor but everyone I talked to says no, don't go to the doctor for a hangover. I just feel so bad and now I feel guilty, sad, anxious too.

I just want to feel better and know that I'm OK. I worry that all the years of self-abuse from alcohol and drugs have caused permanent damage. I don't know where to turn. I don't think I need to go to rehab, because I really want to quit and think I can do it. I just wish I didn't feel so scared, guilty and sad.

Angela

Guest · Guest

Hang on Guys,

Alcohol withdrawal can range from anywhere between a few weeks to two or three months. Trust me, i've been there, done that! Anxiety - with a bit of cold sweats, feeling scared, remorse, shakes.. will all subside in a month. Though, its going to go off completely, slowly.

However, if you're having hallucinations, i recommend that you see a doctor. A few days of being pushed around is much better than a serious condition you see..

And to those of you guys who think they've affected their liver, kidneys etc.. Dont worry about it right now. now is not the time to worry at all.. After your withdrawal is complete, you'll feel far better, and so will your organs Smile

Guest · Guest

Ok, well, I'm glad I'm not the only one.. I am on day 5 of sobriety after binge drinking off and on for the last 10 years. I have been experiencing extreme heart palpitations, headrushes that last all day, blurred vision, the shakes and hot/ cold waves. Yuck. I have had such horrible anxiety that I'm going to have a heart attack and die from the shock of this. Don't worry about going to the doctor about this. If you're serious about quitting drinking, get checked in to the hospital for a day or so. I did.

Guest · Guest

I have been a moderate to heavy drinker pretty all my life past 17-18 (i am 29 now). I went through a divorce couple of years back and other traumatic situations in life a few years earlier that made almost addicted to alcohol. I couldn't function w/o it and think that alcohol undermined my mind's ability to deal with stress and anxiety.
A few months ago, I was going to my parent's house in the subway and felt like the train was spinning in all directions, my lips started twitching, heart palpations, shortness of breath, etc. i though i was gonna die or have a heart attack (have a family history of heart attacks). lucky for me, there was a police office in the subway car i was in. I reached out to him and he called ambulance, which correctly diagnosed that i was going through a full-blown panic attack due to alcohol withradawal (night was i was binging) and caffiene overdoes (had 2 cups of strong coffee that morning). i never had this kind of feeling before, so didn't know what to make of it.
so, i finally figure out what caused and stupid that i am, i go right back to moderate-heavy drinking occassionally. guess what? i get the panic attack and end up in the emergency room. doctor gives the anti-anxiety meds which help me calm down. lately, i have been good, but i am very bad learner, so i drink beers here and there. Last night, i had no drinks, but two nights ago i had four pints and night before that i had a few more. i am suffering through a mild, but equally scary panic attack as i write this. i feel incapacitated, so much so that all i can do is go home and take my anti-anxiety pill (Librium) and hope to ride it out.

i learned that even phasing out doesn't work for people with this condition. i thought slowly decreasing my alcohol intake will help me, but so far...no avail. will try to go cold turkey with the help of pills...let's see where i end up.

anxiety/panic attacks from alcohol withdrawal?

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