I think so!
Once I was on a trip, I got sh*t-faced every day and slept very little each day. Then on my way back I stayed awake 30 hours traveling and when I finally got home I drank a large amount of vodka and passed out on my bed, completely exhausted...
Around 2h later, I got that "shock in the brain". I woke up abruptly in extreme panic, it was like I was being choked, I didn't know really where I was at first, I jumped up, pinched myself, walked in circles, in extreme distress, too shaky to even take a benzo pill. I finally decided to take a cold shower, I was convinced I would die there. Worst panic attack EVER
Chameleon
Once I was on a trip, I got sh*t-faced every day and slept very little each day. Then on my way back I stayed awake 30 hours traveling and when I finally got home I drank a large amount of vodka and passed out on my bed, completely exhausted...
Around 2h later, I got that "shock in the brain". I woke up abruptly in extreme panic, it was like I was being choked, I didn't know really where I was at first, I jumped up, pinched myself, walked in circles, in extreme distress, too shaky to even take a benzo pill. I finally decided to take a cold shower, I was convinced I would die there. Worst panic attack EVER
Chameleon
Loading...
good to find this site - Ive researched this problem for over a year, read books, seen doctors, gone to AA a few times - I had been drinking hard liqour every day for over 10 years, almost never missing a day. First panic attack was in late 2007, felt like a rat in a panic, nervous, confused, started to get them more and more, and went to the gastroenterologist for reflux, tested for diabetes and hypoglycemia (msp), researched gallbladder problems - finally I accepted is was caused by drinking alcohol.
Started and quit over and over for several months, now its been 30 days, hope it works, but the anxiety is still there, but the panic is gone. Anyway, this is what i found out and wanted to share: the brain is programmed for survival, and rewards actions that it thinks are done to survive (eating, keeping warm, etc). A certain chemical is released. alchohol releases the same chemical. (So do pills, cigarettes, etc) The brain becomes stressed when the chemical is not released due to its function of survival - this overrides our own logic, knowing alcohol is self-destructive. The stress causes both craving and withdrawal. Repeated use of alcohol causes the use to be stored in the memory part of the brain, and the recreation of the event, time of day, location acts as a "trigger", causing the craving/withdrawal. like drinking while deer hunting, after work, on a boat, at a party or football game. In other words, if you drink a beer after you mow your yard on sunday, soon you will want a beer every time u mow your yard. The key to recognize the trigger, and saying u are going to "ride out" this trigger. It works for me.
Started and quit over and over for several months, now its been 30 days, hope it works, but the anxiety is still there, but the panic is gone. Anyway, this is what i found out and wanted to share: the brain is programmed for survival, and rewards actions that it thinks are done to survive (eating, keeping warm, etc). A certain chemical is released. alchohol releases the same chemical. (So do pills, cigarettes, etc) The brain becomes stressed when the chemical is not released due to its function of survival - this overrides our own logic, knowing alcohol is self-destructive. The stress causes both craving and withdrawal. Repeated use of alcohol causes the use to be stored in the memory part of the brain, and the recreation of the event, time of day, location acts as a "trigger", causing the craving/withdrawal. like drinking while deer hunting, after work, on a boat, at a party or football game. In other words, if you drink a beer after you mow your yard on sunday, soon you will want a beer every time u mow your yard. The key to recognize the trigger, and saying u are going to "ride out" this trigger. It works for me.
Loading...
I have had all the symptoms that you guys are talking about and I know how miserable they can be. A bad anxiety attack is a rough experience. I have found a way to beat them though. I hate to admit it but these attacks are the result of heavy drinking for long periods of time. I also take prescription stimulants for ADHD, so I'm sure they dont help to much. I can no longer take adderal in social situations because of the tension it can often bring on. Anyway, I still take the stimulant medication but know I get on my road bike. I have found that a good cardio workout can produce lots neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain associated with the feeling of well-being. I also have a RX for xanax ( a tranquilizer i think) and clonidine( a hypertension reducer) I have no problems with anxiety when I workout hard and take small amounts of these med at the first sign of any nervousness. Even small amounts of these med can block an attack. A full dose makes me feel really calm and relaxed. That isn't my goal so I take the smallest does that I can. With these meds, it isn't tough to make it through what can only be a withdrawl period. The trick is to remember the horrible feeling of an anxierty attack and let that motive you to not drink. Drinking must be what is causing my attacks and all the examples I see listed in this forum.
Loading...
I just posted a message so I hope this one gets posted as well since I have put more thought into what I want to say and its all good advice that will might help others
I am certain that heavy alcohol use causes anxiety and panic attacks. I have been drinking on and off for a long time and I only get panic attacks the day after drinking heavily. However, I don't want to talk about the connection between these two things, just ways to break the cycle.
There are several ways to speed recovery from alcohol abuse that I know of. The first is to take B12 supplements. Alcohol is destructive to the B12 molecule and it is critical to proper central nervous system functioning. Consider the fact that hard core alcoholics get injections of it when they go to detox. I have also learned (the hard way) that nitrous oxide is highly destructive to B12, and is capable of rapidly depleting it to the point that it may take years to reestablish healthy levels . Not all B vitamins are good for recovery, only B12. Niacin is a B vitamin and acts like adrenalin and can cause panic attacks. Do some research on these to learn more.
I think exercise is the most important in a speedy recovery though.
Cardio exercise replenishes depleted brain chemicals and lifting weights increase testosterone which is an antidepressant. The cardio is most important though. If you start to work out and decide to try it for yourself, there are some things that can really maximize the benefits to a great extent. There are four things that can do to get fit at a much faster rate. They are almost a religion among athletes. Here they are:
1. be sure to stretch before and after your workout
2. go for low intensity long duration. that will do more than high intensity and short duration. a little high intensity mixed in is fine if you want to feel the "runners high" it takes me a half hour warm up at good intensity plus 15 minutes at high intensity to get the euphoric rush. i back off a little for another 30 min and end up feeling great. as you workout over a few weeks the euphoric effects get more intense.
3. get a recovery supplement drink to consume right after your workout. right after is best but you have a half hour window for your muscles to take up protein and grow. this speeds protein carbs and nutrients to your muscles and most importantly, your brain.
4. lay down after your workout especially if it is running or cycling. this helps get the toxins and lactic acid out of your muscles and really helps with soreness. they say you shouldn't stand if you can sit and you shouldn't sit if you can lay down. even if it is only 15 minutes of laying down, this will really help. I take a good 2 hour nap or watch tv.
These things will help you progress much faster and are followed to the letter by professional cyclist. I work in the cycling industry and know how much they can help. I have seen them work and follow them to the letter.
There is another way to help reduce anxiety in my opinion, however the two previous points are a matter of fact. B12 and good exercise are key. Moving on..
I usually drink whatever alcohol I buy. I have noticed when I buy 6 packs I dont drink as much as when I buy 12 pack. I can easily brink both in one night, but it seems like tappering down my intake helps a good deal. Cold turkey might be the best but I am a creature of habit. I think buying less alcohol at a time seems to help a bit.
Well, that's all the advice that I can come up with. Do your own research and try it for yourself. I hope it helps. I know what at full blown panic attack feels like. I have had a full blown nervous breakdown and I never want to go back to that.
I am certain that heavy alcohol use causes anxiety and panic attacks. I have been drinking on and off for a long time and I only get panic attacks the day after drinking heavily. However, I don't want to talk about the connection between these two things, just ways to break the cycle.
There are several ways to speed recovery from alcohol abuse that I know of. The first is to take B12 supplements. Alcohol is destructive to the B12 molecule and it is critical to proper central nervous system functioning. Consider the fact that hard core alcoholics get injections of it when they go to detox. I have also learned (the hard way) that nitrous oxide is highly destructive to B12, and is capable of rapidly depleting it to the point that it may take years to reestablish healthy levels . Not all B vitamins are good for recovery, only B12. Niacin is a B vitamin and acts like adrenalin and can cause panic attacks. Do some research on these to learn more.
I think exercise is the most important in a speedy recovery though.
Cardio exercise replenishes depleted brain chemicals and lifting weights increase testosterone which is an antidepressant. The cardio is most important though. If you start to work out and decide to try it for yourself, there are some things that can really maximize the benefits to a great extent. There are four things that can do to get fit at a much faster rate. They are almost a religion among athletes. Here they are:
1. be sure to stretch before and after your workout
2. go for low intensity long duration. that will do more than high intensity and short duration. a little high intensity mixed in is fine if you want to feel the "runners high" it takes me a half hour warm up at good intensity plus 15 minutes at high intensity to get the euphoric rush. i back off a little for another 30 min and end up feeling great. as you workout over a few weeks the euphoric effects get more intense.
3. get a recovery supplement drink to consume right after your workout. right after is best but you have a half hour window for your muscles to take up protein and grow. this speeds protein carbs and nutrients to your muscles and most importantly, your brain.
4. lay down after your workout especially if it is running or cycling. this helps get the toxins and lactic acid out of your muscles and really helps with soreness. they say you shouldn't stand if you can sit and you shouldn't sit if you can lay down. even if it is only 15 minutes of laying down, this will really help. I take a good 2 hour nap or watch tv.
These things will help you progress much faster and are followed to the letter by professional cyclist. I work in the cycling industry and know how much they can help. I have seen them work and follow them to the letter.
There is another way to help reduce anxiety in my opinion, however the two previous points are a matter of fact. B12 and good exercise are key. Moving on..
I usually drink whatever alcohol I buy. I have noticed when I buy 6 packs I dont drink as much as when I buy 12 pack. I can easily brink both in one night, but it seems like tappering down my intake helps a good deal. Cold turkey might be the best but I am a creature of habit. I think buying less alcohol at a time seems to help a bit.
Well, that's all the advice that I can come up with. Do your own research and try it for yourself. I hope it helps. I know what at full blown panic attack feels like. I have had a full blown nervous breakdown and I never want to go back to that.
Loading...
I started drinking when I was 18 and by 24 I had become a heavy drinker. About a year ago I started getting these crazy panic attacks for no reason. It started at home but then I would get them at work. At first I drank more to relieve the anxiety and paranoia, but now alcohol seems to make it even worse. But reading everyones post I think it is safe to say that alcohol is the reason for this and the only thing that can help is quitting. I really want to quit, but in my social circle everyone drinks and it is really hard to commit and I am afraid of failure.
I agree with an earlier post the exercise especially long walks seem to help me a lot. I also became sensitive to many foods and now I only eat fruits vegetables and meats such as turkey or chicken. Caffeine is impossible for me to drink.
It is amazing the power alcohol has.
I wish everyone good luck in their battle!!!
I agree with an earlier post the exercise especially long walks seem to help me a lot. I also became sensitive to many foods and now I only eat fruits vegetables and meats such as turkey or chicken. Caffeine is impossible for me to drink.
It is amazing the power alcohol has.
I wish everyone good luck in their battle!!!
Loading...
Wrong.
While I am in absolute agreement that exercise is a potent tool on the path to recovery, there are a few glaring errors here that need to be pointed out.
1.) Alcohol depletes/destroys the body's ability to absorb all B vitamins, some more than others. Someone in recovery needs to be taking AT LEAST a B complex, and additional B1, B3, & B12 as well.
2.) Niacin is in fact a B vitamin (B3), but it does not act like adrenaline. In fact, B3 is the most sedative of the B vitamins; niacinamide (another form of B3) acts on the same receptors in the brain as Valium. Niacin/niacinamide will not cause panic attacks, and is one of the most important B vitamins to take in the treatment of anxiety.
3.) As suggested above, it is important to "Do some research on these to learn more," especially before posting in a public forum...
While I am in absolute agreement that exercise is a potent tool on the path to recovery, there are a few glaring errors here that need to be pointed out.
1.) Alcohol depletes/destroys the body's ability to absorb all B vitamins, some more than others. Someone in recovery needs to be taking AT LEAST a B complex, and additional B1, B3, & B12 as well.
2.) Niacin is in fact a B vitamin (B3), but it does not act like adrenaline. In fact, B3 is the most sedative of the B vitamins; niacinamide (another form of B3) acts on the same receptors in the brain as Valium. Niacin/niacinamide will not cause panic attacks, and is one of the most important B vitamins to take in the treatment of anxiety.
3.) As suggested above, it is important to "Do some research on these to learn more," especially before posting in a public forum...
Loading...
i am so glad that I found this site...after searching most of the morning for reasons I may be feeling the way I do...I have come to the conclusion that it's because I have been "over indulging" quite a bit. I've been a drinker for several years, but usually stick to beer...lately I've moved to vodka and rum and with those two I've realized I drink WAY more than normal (or that I need to). I have been suffering with severe panic the last couple days and I know now that it's most likely due to my past weekend...got black out drunk on Friday (rum and coke), ended up falling out of my friends truck and hitting my head on an electrical box...thankfully I didn't do any damage, but dam it's scary when you have no recollection of ever doing it...woke up Saturday wanting to avoid the eminent hangover from hell and decided to drink vodka tonics...all day! So Sunday comes around and I feel like hell, Monday more of the same and now tuesday still the same! I've decided that I will take the "moderation" route from here on out...maybe a couple beers on the weekends, but no more than that...I have also always believed that B-12 and Multi-Vits do help, but kind of thought it was more or less just in my head..but after reading everyone posts I now am a true believer. In fact I just grabbed my B-12 and a multi-vit in hopes that this feeling goes away VERY soon...I've learned my lesson once and for all...being falling down drunk is not the way to go, it's not attractive and the hell you have to pay afterwards is definitely NOT worth the fun you may have thought you had!!! I'm also hitting the gym and making a point to do that rather than the liquor store!
Thanks again for all of the helpful information!!!
Thanks again for all of the helpful information!!!
Loading...
this is a great thread here. its so relieving to know other people are going through this. I'll make my story short...
I switched to bourbon a couple years ago because beer was making me fat. i grew to love it....way too much. It started one day at work when my arms and hands seemed numb. I didn't pay attention because it didnt bother me much. Then after a while I started to get those wierd "shock zap you from the inside out feelings". I kept drinking, more too. I did lots of cocaine which when mixed with drinks is the best feeling you can get in my opinion. Then all hell broke loose around x-mas this year and i had a horrible panic attack. I went to the ER with my whole damn family worried about me. He said it was just anxiety and gave me a zanax and sent me home (very embarrassing indeed) although I didnt let on to them that i was drinking a large bottle three times a week, every night. I mean LARGE bottle the huge bottom shelf ones. Till this week started getting hammerd more and more now putting vodka into the mix. I started going nuts. I'd yell at people on the streets. Being an a-hole to my family and friends. i threw a chair at my girlfriend for no reason . I yelled at my roommate (he left for after that one). I went on wild rampage in general. I started hiding booze which is NEVER a good sign unless your 15. Finally my girlfried said to stop. I realized I had to. Enough was enough. Till recently..
I stopped stone cold on tuesday. I never knew the horror that awaited me. I'm still drying out now. I took my vitamins and am feeling better. I've had it all this week. EVERY bad thing people described i had this week not to mention terrible diahreah. The insomnia is the worst thing for me hands down. it wont let you sleep. my brain felt very strange a was seeing all kinds of strange very small like flies things fly around the air. I was shaking terribly. I coundnt even write my name or roll a smoke. I could just barely walk the second day. I hear voices at night. There not scary but people say stuff to you. I did drugs back in the day and i never had anything close to this happen to me. THe worst is not being able to rest. It makes you go even more crazy. you get through it though. it slowly goes away.
I really feel for anyone who has gone through this. It's a really hard time. A very emotional one too. It's payback i guess for mistakes made.
One last note, If I were to have to do this again I would ween myself with beer for 2 nights before if your a liquor drinker. I doubt any doctor would recommend this but i would do it i was down and out like i was.
Good Luck to Everyone!
dan from queens
I switched to bourbon a couple years ago because beer was making me fat. i grew to love it....way too much. It started one day at work when my arms and hands seemed numb. I didn't pay attention because it didnt bother me much. Then after a while I started to get those wierd "shock zap you from the inside out feelings". I kept drinking, more too. I did lots of cocaine which when mixed with drinks is the best feeling you can get in my opinion. Then all hell broke loose around x-mas this year and i had a horrible panic attack. I went to the ER with my whole damn family worried about me. He said it was just anxiety and gave me a zanax and sent me home (very embarrassing indeed) although I didnt let on to them that i was drinking a large bottle three times a week, every night. I mean LARGE bottle the huge bottom shelf ones. Till this week started getting hammerd more and more now putting vodka into the mix. I started going nuts. I'd yell at people on the streets. Being an a-hole to my family and friends. i threw a chair at my girlfriend for no reason . I yelled at my roommate (he left for after that one). I went on wild rampage in general. I started hiding booze which is NEVER a good sign unless your 15. Finally my girlfried said to stop. I realized I had to. Enough was enough. Till recently..
I stopped stone cold on tuesday. I never knew the horror that awaited me. I'm still drying out now. I took my vitamins and am feeling better. I've had it all this week. EVERY bad thing people described i had this week not to mention terrible diahreah. The insomnia is the worst thing for me hands down. it wont let you sleep. my brain felt very strange a was seeing all kinds of strange very small like flies things fly around the air. I was shaking terribly. I coundnt even write my name or roll a smoke. I could just barely walk the second day. I hear voices at night. There not scary but people say stuff to you. I did drugs back in the day and i never had anything close to this happen to me. THe worst is not being able to rest. It makes you go even more crazy. you get through it though. it slowly goes away.
I really feel for anyone who has gone through this. It's a really hard time. A very emotional one too. It's payback i guess for mistakes made.
One last note, If I were to have to do this again I would ween myself with beer for 2 nights before if your a liquor drinker. I doubt any doctor would recommend this but i would do it i was down and out like i was.
Good Luck to Everyone!
dan from queens
Loading...
I've been drinking for the last 3 months quite heavily. Sometime I would go a few days without but other time it would be 2-3 days straight of binge drinking. I noticed that I had been craving a drink during the day that I did not drink. Just last week I drank an entire 26oz and a couple beers and ended up waking up with a horrible hangover. Three days after that episode I began noticing that I wasn't myself. I was having horrible panic attacks, anxiety and feelings of confusion. It is day 7 now and I'm feeling better. I went on a prescription to help with the anxiety and attacks but was wondering if anyone else felt the same way after they stopped cold turkey after a prolonged period of binge drinking. Thank you. Good luck to everyone.
Loading...
This thread was really helpful in finding out that I'm not crazy or alone in this. I have found that education is the best remedy and I found a few websites with really helpful information on how to get through the anxiety. check this one website out, I hope it helps.
http://www.anxietynomore.co.uk/panic_attacks.html
http://www.anxietynomore.co.uk/panic_attacks.html
Loading...
This thread was really helpful in finding out that I'm not crazy or alone in this. I have found that education is the best remedy and I found a few websites with really helpful information on how to get through the anxiety by explaining what it is and how you have to approach resolving it.
**edited by moderator**
**edited by moderator**
Loading...
I'm 26, and have been drinking heavily for the last two years (although I always drank a ton on the weekends). My normal routine was a bottle of wine, then a bottle of wine and a 24oz. 2-3 nights a week I could do a bottle of wine then 4 pints and a shot. Just recently I started getting crazy ass panic attacks. They got so bad that I started having a beer at lunch "to take the edge off", and then I would have a beer on the car ride home (yes, while driving), then another beer to take my dog on a walk, then wine when I got home. This past thursday I got sh*t faced, then friday I drank a bottle of wine, a bottle of champagne, and a 24oz of beer all to myself, alone. Saturday I had crazy ass panic attacks, but I grabbed for my computer instead of a beer, and I'm glad I did. The first site I read said that de-hydration (from alcohol) causes anxiety. I drank 90ozs of water and my anxiety went from a 10 to a 5. I started getting panicky again so I ended drinking again last night, 10 beers. I've done nothing but drink water today, and as soon as the sun goes down (the sun makes me panicky) I'm going to go buy some B12/mult-vitamins. I want to go cold turkey, but I'm scared. It's my only option though. If only I'd known sooner that my "spacey" feelings, sense of impending doom, and panick attacks were due to alcohol instead of me going crazy.
Loading...
bah.. finally!!! what a brilliant thread
my story
im now 22 and have been drinking heavily for the last 5 years..pretty much every moment i could or could afford.. i think on average probably 12 drinks a day.. and i drank anything really but preferred beer bourbon and rum. last year i decided 2 slow down to the social drinkers level because i started to get sick all of the time.. then one day during a lecture i had the most horrible sensation of dizzyness and vertigo.. my head became extremely heavy and all i could do was look down and try 2 settle myself down..wen the lecture ended i waited for the class to empty then stumbled out of the building and into the doctors office....he quickly diagnosed an inner ear infection called labyrinthitis gave me anti nausea pills and said itl b over in a few weeks....ive been drinking on and off for the last year although much less than i have previously but am still affected by anxiety, dizzyness and a sort of "walls cavin in" sensation especially in preasure situations. it effects my everday life negatively..labyrinthitis isnt supposed to last nearly as long... infact the longest cases are just a couple of months
.this thread opened my eyes to a different possibility of what my problem could be or at least stem from..
about 2 months ago i stopped drinkin completely and yes it has been quite difficult especially wen its a nice hot sunny day (ie beer weather)
but the pain of this horrible anxiety is greater to me then the pleasure of alcohol,.. i need it to stop..
my story
im now 22 and have been drinking heavily for the last 5 years..pretty much every moment i could or could afford.. i think on average probably 12 drinks a day.. and i drank anything really but preferred beer bourbon and rum. last year i decided 2 slow down to the social drinkers level because i started to get sick all of the time.. then one day during a lecture i had the most horrible sensation of dizzyness and vertigo.. my head became extremely heavy and all i could do was look down and try 2 settle myself down..wen the lecture ended i waited for the class to empty then stumbled out of the building and into the doctors office....he quickly diagnosed an inner ear infection called labyrinthitis gave me anti nausea pills and said itl b over in a few weeks....ive been drinking on and off for the last year although much less than i have previously but am still affected by anxiety, dizzyness and a sort of "walls cavin in" sensation especially in preasure situations. it effects my everday life negatively..labyrinthitis isnt supposed to last nearly as long... infact the longest cases are just a couple of months
.this thread opened my eyes to a different possibility of what my problem could be or at least stem from..
about 2 months ago i stopped drinkin completely and yes it has been quite difficult especially wen its a nice hot sunny day (ie beer weather)
but the pain of this horrible anxiety is greater to me then the pleasure of alcohol,.. i need it to stop..
Loading...
Posted earlier about how I was 2 weeks sober but I fell on my face again after thinking I was getting the upper hand on the stuff. went to my in-laws house at the harbor in Huntington beach for a long weekend, it was a beautiful day, unfortunetly everyone was drinking. I thought I could handle it, looking back I should have left. I was shaking all day long even though I had not been for several days. Just seeing people drinking, having a good time trigered my anxiety. That night I woke up in What was the WORST!! panic attack I had ever had. I know I dont have to explain to a lot of you how absolutely horrible these are. I ran into the bathroom and crouched in the corner with a wet, hot towel on my neck to ride it out. It lasted about 30 minutes, and I cried for an hour afterward, it was that bad. Im an ex army ranger, I was in panama with people shooting at me, and that fear doesnt even come close to the fear my panic attacks induce. Anyway, it was more than I could take and hit the bottle first thing that morning and have been their since. Im going to see a new doctor this next week to see what we can do to try again. I will pray for all of you and myself. Its comforting to know im not alone in this WAR!! with booze.
Loading...
I just randomly googled this because I suspected my anxiety might be related to alcohol, but I doubted it. After reading these posts I think that is in fact the cause, although it is only triggered in social situations, which is why I thought it was strictly mental. I drank beer for 20 years, never had a problem mentally until this past year. Panic attacks really suck, and people who have never had one dont understand how bad they suck. Id rather feel physical pain. Anyway, I'm going to stop drinking entirely because now I have a damn good reason to, other then my life falling apart, lol.
Loading...