D40-Oz: The anxiety and delusions will last for a while if you've been drinking excessively for years and years (could last days or even weeks). There may be permanent damage done. Best thing to do (we all seem to agree on this) is to lay off the sauce, exercise frequently and rest up regularly to reduce stress/anxiety. If all else fails, it wouldn't hurt to seek help from a physician... although you should be weary if the doc wants to put you on meds right away. I do not think meds are the best solution. I threw a bachelor party in Vegas this past weekend for my buddy and I got sh*t faced two nights in a row. As we speak I feel kinda shakey. Geez... booze is such a horrible cycle.
I was so happy to come across this thread! I'm 22 years old and I have been drinking since I was 18. I've told myself I should stop many times because it can't be good for my health but I'd always go out with friends or go to parties anyway and have fun.
The question you really have to ask yourself is "Are you really having fun?". Think about it. I'd go out to the bar or a friends house get smashed have a few laughs, play some games drunk, whatever the case maybe. Is that really that fun?
I over did it for the last time this July 3rd. I had never had enough booze to make me completely black out. I did this night. I do not remember half of the things I did, including puking. Thank god I had good friends to help me through it all. I have felt like c**p since the morning of the fourth. I don't feel I'm in to far yet that I can't pull out.
These past few days I have had no appetite, and I have been fearing the worst that I have done major damage to myself. I am having problems sleeping at night, I even went into the ER. They took some blood work and everything showed up normal so they dismissed me since I was not having any major pain anywhere. I get more worried because I'm not eating like I should and I'm a skinny guy to start with.
This thread has made me realize what is happening to me. I should start feeling better in the next few days for sure. There has already been a load off of my shoulders since I've read through this thread.
The question you really have to ask yourself is "Are you really having fun?". Think about it. I'd go out to the bar or a friends house get smashed have a few laughs, play some games drunk, whatever the case maybe. Is that really that fun?
I over did it for the last time this July 3rd. I had never had enough booze to make me completely black out. I did this night. I do not remember half of the things I did, including puking. Thank god I had good friends to help me through it all. I have felt like c**p since the morning of the fourth. I don't feel I'm in to far yet that I can't pull out.
These past few days I have had no appetite, and I have been fearing the worst that I have done major damage to myself. I am having problems sleeping at night, I even went into the ER. They took some blood work and everything showed up normal so they dismissed me since I was not having any major pain anywhere. I get more worried because I'm not eating like I should and I'm a skinny guy to start with.
This thread has made me realize what is happening to me. I should start feeling better in the next few days for sure. There has already been a load off of my shoulders since I've read through this thread.
Hey Everyone,
I once had a "freak out session" much like many of you have described after a night of consuming a full bottle (1L) of captain morgan's in around 4-5 hours. I was a freshman in college, an constant drinker, and decided that getting up the next day and starting to drink again would be a great idea. Around lunch time I crashed, got the shakes, and was convinced that I was losing my mind and was going to die. I've never known terror like I did that day, I felt like I had lost myself.
It took around a year for me to feel like myself again, but I did find peace and was able to realize that I wasn't going to die anytime soon.
So the night before last, I did it again. I drank about 25 beers during the course of the evening and now I am anxious and I don't feel like I have a full grip on the world around me. I know it will go away and I will be normal again though.
My advice to all of you is talk to someone about it who will listen and care, even if they can't understand. Pay someone if you have to (therapist). You will be ok, it will take time, but one day you will realize that you feel fine and you are enjoying life. You may experience other symptoms (depression, headaches) but just keep going and do your best to avoid despair.
YOU WILL MAKE IT.
CONVINCE YOURSELF OF THIS.
I once had a "freak out session" much like many of you have described after a night of consuming a full bottle (1L) of captain morgan's in around 4-5 hours. I was a freshman in college, an constant drinker, and decided that getting up the next day and starting to drink again would be a great idea. Around lunch time I crashed, got the shakes, and was convinced that I was losing my mind and was going to die. I've never known terror like I did that day, I felt like I had lost myself.
It took around a year for me to feel like myself again, but I did find peace and was able to realize that I wasn't going to die anytime soon.
So the night before last, I did it again. I drank about 25 beers during the course of the evening and now I am anxious and I don't feel like I have a full grip on the world around me. I know it will go away and I will be normal again though.
My advice to all of you is talk to someone about it who will listen and care, even if they can't understand. Pay someone if you have to (therapist). You will be ok, it will take time, but one day you will realize that you feel fine and you are enjoying life. You may experience other symptoms (depression, headaches) but just keep going and do your best to avoid despair.
YOU WILL MAKE IT.
CONVINCE YOURSELF OF THIS.
Hello,
I'm 33 and have been a heavy drinker all my life. Earlier this year I had a panic/anxiety attack and it was truly the most horrifying time of my life. It happened the night after a big night out. My hangovers have been rough all my life and it seems something finally cracked. I'm relieved to read the messages posted here. It's very hard to explain to family and friends what the attacks are like - mine have been an extraordinary feeling of despair and fear and has kept me up all night. I quit drinking for a while after the first episode then went out on a weekend and did some casual drinking(not 15 drinks like usual but 6 or 7) and the same panic attacks hit me again. Even when I just have a few drinks I feel like I'm going to have an attack the next evening but it's just some anxiety and not a full fledged attack - it's amazing to me that this can happen. I finally went to a psychiatrist and he prescribed me some anti-seizure meds to try to clear my thoughts and I'm not sure they've helped. Basically, alcohol is the agent that causes these attacks. If I don't drink, I don't get attacks. I can't say I feel great even now I've stopped drinking, there's always an underlying "weird" feeling but it's better than how I felt after drinking. I'm concerned about trying Xanax after reading about how addictive it is and the problems it can cause with alcohol. I'm truly in one of the hardest periods of my life - but alcohol has ruled my life for many years and it hasn't really gotten me anywhere. It's scary to think about being sober the rest of my life but maybe that's how it has to be.....
I'm 33 and have been a heavy drinker all my life. Earlier this year I had a panic/anxiety attack and it was truly the most horrifying time of my life. It happened the night after a big night out. My hangovers have been rough all my life and it seems something finally cracked. I'm relieved to read the messages posted here. It's very hard to explain to family and friends what the attacks are like - mine have been an extraordinary feeling of despair and fear and has kept me up all night. I quit drinking for a while after the first episode then went out on a weekend and did some casual drinking(not 15 drinks like usual but 6 or 7) and the same panic attacks hit me again. Even when I just have a few drinks I feel like I'm going to have an attack the next evening but it's just some anxiety and not a full fledged attack - it's amazing to me that this can happen. I finally went to a psychiatrist and he prescribed me some anti-seizure meds to try to clear my thoughts and I'm not sure they've helped. Basically, alcohol is the agent that causes these attacks. If I don't drink, I don't get attacks. I can't say I feel great even now I've stopped drinking, there's always an underlying "weird" feeling but it's better than how I felt after drinking. I'm concerned about trying Xanax after reading about how addictive it is and the problems it can cause with alcohol. I'm truly in one of the hardest periods of my life - but alcohol has ruled my life for many years and it hasn't really gotten me anywhere. It's scary to think about being sober the rest of my life but maybe that's how it has to be.....
dc1 - I was terrorized the same way you are with the "underlying weird feeling" for about a year. I tried xanax and lexapro and did not see any noticeable results with either. The only thing that helped was time and extra care for your body and mind. Exercise, eat right, stay hydrated, and do your very best to have fun and ignore the fact that you always feel like there is something between your mind and the world. You will learn to tolerate this feeling and eventually, it will no longer be part of your life. If it helps, I know the fear and despair you describe; I also know that you will come out of it.
Hi all...and thanks to everyone for sharing. It is helpful to know I am not alone in this. My story seems to have gone on longer than most in here, but just this past year have I realized my anxiety is likely caused by my alcoholism, and that the two now feed on each other. I think I have been experiencing the anxiety for years to a lesser degree, but I didn't recognize it.
I am 46, and have been drinking heavily off & on for the last 30 years, since my late teens, probably 4-5 days per week, if not every day. The booze has always seemed to be a good friend to me, as I tended bar for almost 20 years and have always been around booze since my high school days. It's now 4:30 AM, and I'm trying to come down from my latest binge, with a crushing anxiety that won't let me close my eyes to get to sleep. I've taken some Diphenhydramine HCl to try and get to sleep, but so far no luck.
After a cruise last year, I went straight from the boat to a hospital ER because I thought I was having a heart attack after a traumatic disembarkation. Over $6000 later for that visit, I was told it was just anxiety, and the embarrassment of that has led me to keep that incident from my family (only my wife knows). I also think that taking some Viagra recreationally has contributed to the anxiety.
I want to stop drinking, but I'm worried that I won't be able to very well. Right now I'm feeling weak, and the anxiety has me craving alcohol. I've always jokingly said I'm just a drunk, cuz alcoholics have to go to meetings, but right now I am looking for my local AA group so I can get some support and guidance. My wife is a drinker too, but I'm hoping she will support me in my quest to stop drinking and clean up my act. So, wish me luck.
It's time for the party to stop. :-(
I am 46, and have been drinking heavily off & on for the last 30 years, since my late teens, probably 4-5 days per week, if not every day. The booze has always seemed to be a good friend to me, as I tended bar for almost 20 years and have always been around booze since my high school days. It's now 4:30 AM, and I'm trying to come down from my latest binge, with a crushing anxiety that won't let me close my eyes to get to sleep. I've taken some Diphenhydramine HCl to try and get to sleep, but so far no luck.
After a cruise last year, I went straight from the boat to a hospital ER because I thought I was having a heart attack after a traumatic disembarkation. Over $6000 later for that visit, I was told it was just anxiety, and the embarrassment of that has led me to keep that incident from my family (only my wife knows). I also think that taking some Viagra recreationally has contributed to the anxiety.
I want to stop drinking, but I'm worried that I won't be able to very well. Right now I'm feeling weak, and the anxiety has me craving alcohol. I've always jokingly said I'm just a drunk, cuz alcoholics have to go to meetings, but right now I am looking for my local AA group so I can get some support and guidance. My wife is a drinker too, but I'm hoping she will support me in my quest to stop drinking and clean up my act. So, wish me luck.
It's time for the party to stop. :-(
Wow, again, I am very compelled by what everyone's sharing. My work schedule changes frequently and I initially said I started drinking heavily and routinely because I was unable to sleep. Of course it's probably deeper than that. I too self-medicate. I was running from something. I also always thought alcohol was my friend but alas, I'm fighting to seriously ease off drinking. I have no desire to quit entirely, but there are those nights when I drink and drink as if there's no tomorrow. That right there is an indicator that I've got a problem and trying to rationalize or convince myself a little's okay as long as I stay in control is probably unrealistic.
Ex-bartender: I went to an AA meeting once. Just once. I never returned. Not because I think those AA people are worse off than me. Not so. I'm a lot like them. I can admit it. But as much as I respect the organization, I don't think it's right for me. On a positive note, I just got home from work about 20-30 minutes ago... and for the first f*cking time in over 3 weeks, I did not stop at the liquor store on the way home with intent to booze myself to oblivion tonight. Hey, it's a start, right? I also just got in a relationship. I have not had a girlfriend in nearly 4 years - I dated a lot but could not commit (yes yes, more issues). But I'm doing it right this time. She is incredibly sweet and I was honest and up front with her from the start. She doesn't drink much but I warned her I drink A LOT. To my surprise she still wants to be with me. She saw me get intoxicated last Thurs and actually drove me home. When I woke up I didn't have a black eye, so I guess things are okay thus far ;-)
Oh and it seems the damn anxiety just sneaks up on us all huh? As if by the time we recognize it's there, the irreversible damage of withdrawal syndrome is done. Geez... Anyhow, I need rest. Oh, for those who don't like taking meds for sleep: might I recommend Melatonin? It's non-prescription and it's worked wonders for me. I had a bad case of insomnia 2 years ago and it worked much better than vodka and beer that's for sure! Take care all.
Ex-bartender: I went to an AA meeting once. Just once. I never returned. Not because I think those AA people are worse off than me. Not so. I'm a lot like them. I can admit it. But as much as I respect the organization, I don't think it's right for me. On a positive note, I just got home from work about 20-30 minutes ago... and for the first f*cking time in over 3 weeks, I did not stop at the liquor store on the way home with intent to booze myself to oblivion tonight. Hey, it's a start, right? I also just got in a relationship. I have not had a girlfriend in nearly 4 years - I dated a lot but could not commit (yes yes, more issues). But I'm doing it right this time. She is incredibly sweet and I was honest and up front with her from the start. She doesn't drink much but I warned her I drink A LOT. To my surprise she still wants to be with me. She saw me get intoxicated last Thurs and actually drove me home. When I woke up I didn't have a black eye, so I guess things are okay thus far ;-)
Oh and it seems the damn anxiety just sneaks up on us all huh? As if by the time we recognize it's there, the irreversible damage of withdrawal syndrome is done. Geez... Anyhow, I need rest. Oh, for those who don't like taking meds for sleep: might I recommend Melatonin? It's non-prescription and it's worked wonders for me. I had a bad case of insomnia 2 years ago and it worked much better than vodka and beer that's for sure! Take care all.
Wow, again, I am very compelled by what everyone's sharing. My work schedule changes frequently and I initially said I started drinking heavily and routinely because I was unable to sleep. Of course it's probably deeper than that. I too self-medicate. I was running from something. I also always thought alcohol was my friend but alas, I'm fighting to seriously ease off drinking. I have no desire to quit entirely, but there are those nights when I drink and drink as if there's no tomorrow. That right there is an indicator that I've got a problem and trying to rationalize or convince myself a little's okay as long as I stay in control is probably unrealistic.
Ex-bartender: I totally referred to myself as a "drunk" vs. "alcoholic" as you did! haha - I went to an AA meeting once. Just once. I never returned. Not because I think those AA people are worse off than me. Not so. I'm a lot like them. I can admit it. But as much as I respect the organization, I don't think it's right for me. On a positive note, I just got home from work about 20-30 minutes ago... and for the first f*cking time in over 3 weeks, I did not stop at the liquor store on the way home with intent to booze myself to oblivion tonight. Hey, it's a start, right? I also just got in a relationship. I have not had a girlfriend in nearly 4 years - I dated frequently but could not commit (yes yes, more issues). But I'm doing it right this time. She is incredibly sweet and I was honest and up front with her from the start. She doesn't drink much but I warned her I drink A LOT. To my surprise she still wants to be with me. She saw me get intoxicated last Thurs and actually drove me home. When I woke up I didn't have a black eye, so I guess things are okay thus far ;-)
Oh and it seems the damn anxiety just sneaks up on us all huh? As if by the time we recognize it's there, the irreversible damage of withdrawal syndrome is done. Geez... Anyhow, I need rest. Oh, for those who don't like taking meds for sleep: might I recommend Melatonin? It's non-prescription and it's worked wonders for me. I had a bad case of insomnia 2 years ago and it worked much better than vodka and beer that's for sure! Take care all.
Ex-bartender: I totally referred to myself as a "drunk" vs. "alcoholic" as you did! haha - I went to an AA meeting once. Just once. I never returned. Not because I think those AA people are worse off than me. Not so. I'm a lot like them. I can admit it. But as much as I respect the organization, I don't think it's right for me. On a positive note, I just got home from work about 20-30 minutes ago... and for the first f*cking time in over 3 weeks, I did not stop at the liquor store on the way home with intent to booze myself to oblivion tonight. Hey, it's a start, right? I also just got in a relationship. I have not had a girlfriend in nearly 4 years - I dated frequently but could not commit (yes yes, more issues). But I'm doing it right this time. She is incredibly sweet and I was honest and up front with her from the start. She doesn't drink much but I warned her I drink A LOT. To my surprise she still wants to be with me. She saw me get intoxicated last Thurs and actually drove me home. When I woke up I didn't have a black eye, so I guess things are okay thus far ;-)
Oh and it seems the damn anxiety just sneaks up on us all huh? As if by the time we recognize it's there, the irreversible damage of withdrawal syndrome is done. Geez... Anyhow, I need rest. Oh, for those who don't like taking meds for sleep: might I recommend Melatonin? It's non-prescription and it's worked wonders for me. I had a bad case of insomnia 2 years ago and it worked much better than vodka and beer that's for sure! Take care all.
wicked, even though i don't write in now everyday i find this whole forum amazin as i never believed ther was others out there that experienced the same as me. A good nites binge on vodka mainly, and the next day is such a strange weird blur of panicking 1 minute, thinking im gonna hav some sort of heart failure the next. sometimes though when i am feeling like this the next day i have to really say to myself, right here we go again you drank to much last night you didnt have enough sleep, your mind really is telling you that you have over done it so it starts playing al these tricks on us. even though im not cured myself i want someone to try it themselves and see how they go. when your feeling this on a major hangover day, please has hard as it is sit or lie down somewhere nice and quite and try saying to yourselve exactly that ther really really physically is nothing majorly wrong just that you hav overdone it and need to relax and rest. This works for me at lest 50% of the time which i think is better than not being able to control these feelings at all. hopefully someone will feel a little benefit from this, anyone please let me know cus really even though we dont know each other we feel very close as we totally understand one another. GOOD LUCK PEOPLE .............. :-) :-)
P.S I feel a little confidence with this because i discovered the CHARLES LINDEM METHOD. Honestly look it up and you will see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I'm pretty much in the same boat as you guys. I've gradually began drinking more and more over the past two years to numb my fears of finding a job after graduation, and the fact that I've rarely taken an honest break from drinking hasn't forced me to deal with the symptoms of withdrawal until very recently.
At first I thought the intense anxiety was due to other things going on in my life, but after reading up on alcohol I came across an explanation of what it does to the brain when used for a prolonged period of time in excess: "When a person with alcoholism stops drinking, withdrawal symptoms begin within 6 - 48 hours and peak about 24 - 35 hours after the last drink. During this period, the inhibition of brain activity caused by alcohol is abruptly reversed. Stress hormones are overproduced, and the central nervous system becomes overexcited."
In other words,while it's easy enough to suddenly stop getting drunk, it takes a while for the brain to respond to this and find a new equillibrium that works.
So while I'm relatively new to this consequence of drinking and am still feeling like sh*t (I'm only on day one here), all indication is that this anxiety will subside for all of us so long as we don't continue to drink to the point where the chemical balances of our bodies change dramatically.
I'm going to give this about a week, and if I don't feel at least a little better I'll probably talk to a doctor about anti-anxiety medication for the sake of kicking my drinking habit, and possibly even addressing anxiety issues I think I've always had.
Good luck everyone and thanks for sharing.
At first I thought the intense anxiety was due to other things going on in my life, but after reading up on alcohol I came across an explanation of what it does to the brain when used for a prolonged period of time in excess: "When a person with alcoholism stops drinking, withdrawal symptoms begin within 6 - 48 hours and peak about 24 - 35 hours after the last drink. During this period, the inhibition of brain activity caused by alcohol is abruptly reversed. Stress hormones are overproduced, and the central nervous system becomes overexcited."
In other words,while it's easy enough to suddenly stop getting drunk, it takes a while for the brain to respond to this and find a new equillibrium that works.
So while I'm relatively new to this consequence of drinking and am still feeling like sh*t (I'm only on day one here), all indication is that this anxiety will subside for all of us so long as we don't continue to drink to the point where the chemical balances of our bodies change dramatically.
I'm going to give this about a week, and if I don't feel at least a little better I'll probably talk to a doctor about anti-anxiety medication for the sake of kicking my drinking habit, and possibly even addressing anxiety issues I think I've always had.
Good luck everyone and thanks for sharing.
I am day two into a serious withdrawal from Alcohol and I feel as if I'm loosing my mind. I'm having severe panic attacks where I hyperventilate and my arms become numb and my hands curl up. I'm rewally aggitated and haven't slept at all. I began to see images in front of my eyes and feel like I'm loosing my senses. The shakes are coming and going but the sweating, aggitation, tiredness, headaches and panic attacks are still coming full force. I had to curl up on the floor last night while my Mother rubbed my head and neck with iced water. I just rocked back and foward and it's like time is standing still. I want this to be over soon because I can't take much more.
I can relate to each and every one of you. As I am writing this, I am experiencing many of the same feelings you are. Through a series of personal tragedies, ie: loss of my business ,my home, all of my belongings, loss of my mother to brain cancer, kidnapping of my only child and loss of my eyesight - all within the last two years - you might be able to understand my anxiety. I was able to regain my eyesight through surgery but it was expensive. The greatest loss was that of my mom and my son. I blame it all on alchohol. I was never violent in any way but the fog that I lived in destroyed what I was trying to build. I am very frightened and alone. I have been curled up in a ball and rocked back and forth as some of you have said. The good news is that I realize that the problem is not with ME. It is with the BOTTLE. I self medicate trying to run from these demons and they just keep pouring fuel on the fire. The only way to beat this bastard is to totally stop. I have done it before and I will do it again. Not just for me - for my son. God bless each and every one of you in this fight.
I've had severe panic attacks this morning due to yet another alcohol withdrawal. I drank so much this weekend that I just passed out on the couch last night and woke this morning with no alcohol and the whole thing started again. I had to wait to get a drink and when I tried picking it up I couldn't even do that. I managed to get a few into me though to calm the shakes and sweating and panic, but I don't know how long that will last. I'm scared so much. I think my drinking is giving me a nervous breakdown.
You will all feel better, but you may have to suffer for a couple days. I stopped 5 days ago after chugging cheap malt liquor and wine everyday in massive amounts from 22 (started late but made up for lost time) until now at 28, though my cycle is usually drink for 4 days, shake for 3. Been through it 100 times and I've now learned to remind myself I will be fine, cause I am everytime! Well, at least the same as I was last time I finish my shakey, sweaty, paranoid hell. It gets so bad all I can do is lay there, even tv or music is too intimidating. My smoking goes from 20 a day to 2, so I guess that's good! Two other solutions I find helpful, chug orange juice for potassium! If you're up to it eat spaghetti for folate and thiamine nutrients(that's like late in day 2 or day 3 for me though cause I usually have trouble swallowing and/or puking it up)! Orange Gatorade works wonders too! Or smoke a toke or 2 of weed but don't overdo it cause that'll make the anxiety worse, but a small toke works quite well for me. Just remember how much better you will feel in a couple of days, and then deal with other problems, but for now one thing at a time! Take care and good luck to all! ;-)