Stress Center Peer Support

I'm really nervous about it, I'm not sure if it was going through the program that stopped my anxiety or giving up alcohol and caffeine. I've been through the program twice now and gave up alcohol and caffenine 1 year ago, I've actually just went back on the caffenine about 2 weeks ago with no problems at all, I now want to go back to the alcohol, because going out to pubs and clubs isn't any fun with out a drink, but as mentioned I am scared, I am scared that its the main cause of my anxiety, and by starting it again I will go right back to square 1. Then there is the guilt of actually drinking, I've been of it a year, I fear i'll beat myself up with guilt if I go back to it.

I'm so confussed Grrrrr

Hi GRRRR. There is always O'DOULS or some kind of non alcohol drink.I guess as long as you can control the alcohol it should be ok. BUTTT I know for a fact, that was one of my problems, Alcohol can be very depressing, I finally realized that after years of drinking, the more depressed and anxiety stricken I got the more I drank, and the more I drank the worse it got thats went I saw the informercial from the StressCenter.com and picked up the phone. I put the alcohol away, but after week two I said I still have Beer in the fridge and enough rum for one drink, so I indulged, that's when I came to terms of how depressing it can be. So know it's O'DOULS or Neer Beer or something like that, because I do like the taste but I like being sober now and having fun. And don't over do it on the Caffeine, would hate to see u back on sq. 1. Just be Careful

Is there non alcoholic beer in Ireland?

Yes we have non alcoholic beer, Kaliber and the likes, but that defeats the purpose really. I was never dependant on alcohol, I never drank to stop my anxiety, and when I did drink it was only a few on a Sat night. I don't know if it was alcohol that cuased anxiety or if it just happened due to negative thinking. I have proved it wasn't caffeine

Why do you want to return to behavior which has caused you problems? Why not just stay away from alcohol, caffeine, etc.? I don't see it as either the program relieved your anxiety or the stopping alcohol and caffeine did. I see it as both and.

I think caffeine had a lot to do with why I experienced my second depression at age 27. I learned to drink coffee non-stop in my accounting job. There was a time or two when I was having lunch with the V.P. of Finance, the controller, and the President's personal assistant where I got literally nauseus from too much caffeine. I had to stop drinking coffee for several hours to recover.

Then with alcohol it got to the point that I became an alcoholic and felt washed out for over 24 hours after getting high, tired, wanting to sleep.

Why would I want to return to such behavior again? It's illogical and self destructive. So, I'm wondering why you would?

The caffeine for sure causes anxiety in a lot of folks and alcohol is a depressant. In moderation alcohol may be okay for you. But, why do you drink? Is it to get high or just to socialize? Can you just drink a beer or two or a glass or two of wine or does that usually lead to getting drunk? Answering those questions may help with whether it is wise to return to alcohol. The caffeine I would advise you to definitely stay away from. Listen again to tape 5 on eating and exercising. I could drink real coffee too and it wouldn't hurt me immediately, but long term it would cause me to be depressed again and cause me to have anxiety.

How bad do you want to stay recovered? It sounds to me like you are considering self destructive behavior because you get a "pay-off" from it. But in the end the pay-off is not worth what the alcohol and caffeine do to us.

My pay-offs now are being able to function, being able to work, being able to exercise and enjoy it, being able to get a good night's sleep, being thankful for being where I am now. Wonderful things you could not pay me any amount of money to sabotage. You can't put a price on good emotional and physical health. Every day is a gift, just living in the now and enjoying it.