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Help me please my life's gone to hell

Posted , 8 users are following.

andy41445
andy41445

hi all I'm new to this so bear with me.I'm a middle aged man and have been anxious all my life. I've always had trouble sleeping due to worrying about what tomorrow will bring and stupidly resorted to having 2 or 3 cans of lager a night just to get me off to sleep. For the past 12 years I've been a successful logistics manager. In June this year I was made redundant and boy was that a shock, I'm now in a never ending spiral as I drink too much to calm my anxiety and then when I wake up my anxiety is so bad that I have another drink.I'll not even be able to cope with a job interview without the help of the demon drink and if I was lucky enough to be offered the job I would still need to top up all day and will eventually get fired. I feel I've let myself down my family and friends I just don't know how to get out of this spiral of self  destruction. I don't believe that I'm addicted to alcohol but I am addicted to its short term release from this hell 

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • chasity50066
    chasity50066 andy41445

    Posted

    I started the same thing and although I didn't think I was addicted to alcohol when I tried to stop I found the anxiety to be unbearable and has withdrawl symptoms from the alcohol. It's been a year now and I have been clean from alcohol since feb 22. I still struggle with anxiety but not like I did. I had to quit my job and it almost ruined my life. I suggest you quit the alcohol and begin the fight with anxiety. You may need meds. I've tried all kinds and am now on a non addicting anti anxiety med. good luck and I'm here if ya need support!
    • andy41445
      andy41445 chasity50066

      Posted

      hi it's so great just to talk to someone who has been there, until I found this site today I thought I was the only person on the planet with this awful problem. You say I need meds but I really don't want to get my gp involved as he's a family friend, what would you suggest? 
    • chasity50066
      chasity50066 andy41445

      Posted

      It took me several trips to the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack to finally get on meds so if you can handle the anxiety and physical withdrawal I would start with a couple days off of work to get off the alcohol and maybe some meetings. This site has helped me as well and it may not get as bad for you as it did me. Lots of prayer and bed rest got me off the alcohol but I'm still struggling with the cravings and anxiety just not to the same extent.
    • andy41445
      andy41445 chasity50066

      Posted

      hi thankfully I've not experienced the having a heart attack symptons yet and hope I never will, sounds like you've been to hell and back too, good on you for getting off the booze, I've been researching a lot and found that alcohol causes anxiety but when you stop drinking the anxiety is still there, I've suffered with anxiety since I was a kid and obviously wasn't drinking then so what's the cure! I have no job therefore no income, I have a wife and son to support, I'm on my own at home at the mo as we had booked a family holiday to visit our son in australia but due to my redundancy I cancelled, I'm terrified of quitting drinking as I've researched the possible impact of withdrawal and it seems I could die from convulsions etc, in a no win situation 
    • chasity50066
      chasity50066 andy41445

      Posted

      Yea the meds (lorazepam) helped me with the withdrawal. I don't know the cure I wish I did! Maybe of you just talked to the dr abt the anxiety he would put you on something that helps with the withdrawal as well. That's what I did. I never discussed the alcohol with him. It's still the worst thing I've been through and live for the days that feel somewhat normal. 
    • andy41445
      andy41445 chasity50066

      Posted

      thanks you've given me a lot of good suggestions and ideas that I am seriously going to think about, I wish you all the best in overcoming your anxiety problems and I'll stay in touch with you, nice to have a 'friend' on my side. I'll let you know how I get on and please feel free to chat with me whenever you want 

      kindest regards Andy 

    • chasity50066
      chasity50066 andy41445

      Posted

      Thank you it is nice to have someone relate for sure. I'm here anytime smile good luck to u as well.
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 andy41445

      Posted

      Hi Andy, I have just read about your problem. You say you cannot go to your GP as he is a family friend, why not see a different GP in th practice and bear in mind its confidential. I feel you need to get proffesional support about the alcohol and the anxiety. We can support you on here but you really need to see someone who can get you the right treatment. Hope this helps. 
    • andy41445
      andy41445 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      thank you it's so good to know I'm not alone, although that's how it's felt for too long, gonna take your advise and get help, again thank you 
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 andy41445

      Posted

      Let us know on this site how you are getting on, you really do need proffesional support, here people will encourage you. keep in touch. 
  • anneporter
    anneporter andy41445

    Posted

    You need help.  You are alcohol dependent.  My younger brother was an addict, bless him, he wouldnt go for help.  only you can make the decision.  I hate to scare you, but its a killer, so do it,  get help now.  It doesnt matter if your doctor is a family friend. My other brother has been free of alcohol  for  nineteen years after being an addict for over twenty years, so it can be done.  please treat this problem with the seriousness it deserves and get your life back, and know happiness.  You need to treat the anxiety as well, as treating it with alcohol is the road to nowhere.  I wish you well. 
    • andy41445
      andy41445 anneporter

      Posted

      hi thank you for your honest reply, I will make a gp appointment and try to overcome this hell I'm going through, it's so nice to know I'm not alone, although until I found this site today I thought I was the only person on the planet suffering!!!!! Will keep you updated again thanks 
    • deirdre._03652
      deirdre._03652 andy41445

      Posted

      Hi Andy,  please go and see your family doctor, they will not be shocked or judgmental no matter what you say.

       I was an alcoholic for ten years, I was sectioned four times and had two home detox treatments... I have been well for eleven years.

       I too used alcohol as a life crutch to the point that I was drinking 24hrs a day and living in a constant state of panic...

      The other excellent option is to go to your local community alcohol service..

      You do not need an appointment, you can just walk in and ask for help....

      It is completely confidential, they are all trained staff (alcohol specialists and nurses ) and they can arrange for you to have a home detox along with your own doctor's help.. please never feel ashamed that you need help, you did not choose to have a problem,... I truly wish you the very best, take care, Deidre x 

    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 andy41445

      Posted

      Please get help.  Can't you go to a different GP or perhaps Alcoholics Anonymous.  There are so many people out there in your position.  Remember alcohol is a depressant so will ultimately make you feel worse.  Life is so hard nowadays and it's so easy to turn to drink or drugs.  I am a mental health nurse do I see it all the time but there is help out there.  Let me know how you get on
    • andy41445
      andy41445 anneporter

      Posted

      Hi Anne, I had a long hard think last night and did some research. As my family are away at the moment and I'm on my own I thought it would be wiser and safer to cut down. I havent touched a drop all day, was hard as my anxiety was bad but I've done it .I'm going to cut back this evening too.  If I can survive today then I know I can tomorrow. Will keep you informed. Many thanks Andy 
    • anneporter
      anneporter andy41445

      Posted

      I'm glad you're trying Andy. You've probably found in your research that alcohol can be counter productive as it can ruin your sleep and also cause depression. AA are very supportive, even if you feel you dont need them, you could go along and listen in?  they are very friendly people. just a suggestion.  Maybe researchsomething to tackle the anxiety? This seems to be a long term problem causing other problems.  One day at a time.  One can less tonight smile.  
    • chasity50066
      chasity50066 andy41445

      Posted

      Good luck Andy one day at a time!! It will get rough at times but you can do it!
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