drinking

SQUEEGEESTEVE · Post by **SQUEEGEESTEVE** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:43 am

my name is steve and i recently recieved the program. i have went through the 1st session and i find it amazing how i can relate to alot of the symptoms. my problem first started in college while driving. of course in most cases i was hung over while i was driving. i would feel like i was going nuts the cars would just seem like they were floating by and i was out of control. i blammed it on the alcohol and i stayed away from drinking alot the night before i had to drive a good distance. my problem seemed to go away when i decided to move and start my own business in new area.. i was basically symptom free. i was still be really hung over but i dont think i ever feltsymptoms for about 3 years. i would be able to drive all over and i looked forward to driving even after drinking the night before. i must admit i was driking alot to be honest 7 days a week at least getting a buzz... this was going on for about a year or so .. but i was drinking heavily since college and now that i am 25 it has been about 8 years.... i also chewed tobacco and smoked sincei was in college.. then last november i quit cold turkey chewing.. it was not as hard as i thought and i have been nicotine free since then... a few weeks later i went out to the bar and got really drunk off of seven and sevens.. i woke up the next morning ealry cancelled my work day and was really hung over i went to the mall in the afternoon and that is where i had my panic attack out of no where .. the blue... it was weird.. that passed and i continued drinking 2 weeks later i was really hung over again and i felt like i was loosing my mind and i gave up my tickets to go to a nfl game... the drive home was horrible but i wasnt driving... the following week we wnet to atlantic city.. i was still drinking... but my anxiety got really bad... i feel normal when i drink like i can conquer the world.. all my anxious or depressed feeling are gone for the time being.. the next morn however i am really hung over and things are worse...with that being said i have basically quit drinking.. since the middle of jan i have had 3 drinks on social occasions... anyone have input or the same feelings....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:59 am

amen my friend, i have had the same problem. I have a lot of panic when i have to drive out of my safe zone. I drink all time myself. I drink at home at night. I don't get drunk just the buzz that makes me not worry or fear. sometimes though i have been hung over from hell. i notice that i have more anxiety than normal when i have drank the niht before. i'm in the first session myself. i have used alcohol for a temporary vacation for 5 yrs. I also smoke, when you drink you smoke more. its a vicious cycle. i'm working on the no drinking to get more control of my life. i'm one hat will a few 5 nihts a week, i can function the next day, but anxiety is higher. i've learned that people with anxiety usually fall for some type of vice. i've two of the worst vices possible, and am working on losing them both.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:47 pm

I also have a problem with alcohol and cigarettes. Many times, I can't fall asleep, and I use alcohol to help. I also will end up drinking way too much and feel horrible the next day. I already don't drive and have avoided driving for four years now. It is a vicious cycle, because when I have drank too much, I feel like the only thing that will make that anxiety go away is to have another drink. I am hoping I can get some help from other people that have had that same problem.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:20 pm

Hello to all of you. I really feel for you!
I have been there. I remember.
Keep trying. And get some help. There is a lot of help out there.
I quit drinking 24 years ago. I did get help.
I first went to a mental health clinic and asked for help and they sent me to a doctor that was helping people. I went to a day center for a week, where there were psychologists , etc. And all day groups there had classes to help them overcome the drinking.
And the doctor there suggested AA. I found that there was a lot of people in AA that were helpful. I wasn't alone anymore. Try it . It really helps. I wanted to be free of Alcohol
as it had made me really sick.

I didn't quit smoking until 1996. I've been quit for 11 years, 12 next November.
It can all be done.
Just don't be afraid of living without the booze. It is a good life.
There are people that will help you get thru' the first stages of quiting. You will make good friends.
I sure wish I could help you.
I hope my experience will.
May you be blessed!
MJ