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Alcohol use for anxiety

Posted , 4 users are following.

vickylou
vickylou

i suffer from anxiety and have 'butterflies' 24/7 for long periods of time. More than often they will disappear and I feel normal again for a couple of months till next episode. Over the years I've used alcohol to help get rid of these butterflies. Now even that doesn't work. Take trazodone and NITRAZAPAM. Does anyone else use alcohol to function?

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • andyccook
    andyccook vickylou

    Posted

    I'm a recovering alcoholic, i used it for years to function.  Til it stopped working.  Sober 7 months
    • vickylou
      vickylou andyccook

      Posted

      I can go months with just a couple of drinks socially each week, some weeks no alcohol than suddenly I will have 2/3 days binge drinking when anxiety is bad. You've done really well, what made you stop if you don't mind my asking?
    • andyccook
      andyccook vickylou

      Posted

      I quit because i was drinking all day every day, and it took its toll on my mental health.  I couldnt bare being drunk or sober, so i quit for good, with AA's help.  And thank you.  I still have issues with prescription medication, but i have come off a lot of medication also.  I'm in therapy, hypnotherapy and cbt
    • vickylou
      vickylou andyccook

      Posted

      It does affect my mental state. I've been referred for cbt and also acupuncture. Acupuncture worked years ago so am hoping this time will be the same.
  • pmcg21
    pmcg21 vickylou

    Posted

    hi vicki, the problem with using alcohol for anxiety is that your use is likely to beccome more frequent- you could end up where you will need alcohol everyday to function- i am a recovering alcoholic- i gave up drinking in 2005- i used to need a couple of large whiskeys every morning to function i ended up drinking a couple of bottles of it a day for twenty years i was a functioning alcoholic - dont go down this route- if you need medication to treat your anxiety that is fine plenty of people do- but do not self medicate - especially with alcohol- not if you value your health- your sanity and all that is important in your life- reach out for help if you feel you cannot quit binge drinking- only you know if you are addicted to alcohol- either way you need to quit that pattern of drinking it is potentially very dangerous- good luck in whatever way you decide to tackle this problem- reach out for support - there are plenty of people who have/ had problems with alcohol- stay strong- 
    • vickylou
      vickylou pmcg21

      Posted

      Thank you for replying. It's good to know I'm not alone
  • anita11057
    anita11057 vickylou

    Posted

    im a recoverered alcholic  and thats what i use to do but then when you need alcohol to function youve a mager problem.Go talk to your doctor he might be able to help with some diazepam . Good luck xx
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