Alcohol

[Clea]

With everything going on in the world and home life I've started drinking a lot. Yesterday was a big wake up call where I drank to a point I couldn't remember anything this morning except that I injured myself physically. I know I need to quit but struggling with emotions and anxiety, which the drinking helps lessen. I need help/tips on other ways to manage my emotions and give up alcohol. Thanks in advance

[smallwolf]

Hi Clea,

Yeah, the world has changed!

The first step to getting help for addiction is recognising the problem. And this you have done in your post, and have asked for help. I would say it’s important to have a chat with you GP to talk about a referral to a psychologist or other specialist service.

Not sure if you drink by yourself or in company ... perhaps tell friends and family of your intentions so they might be able to help you reach this goal? It may not be easy to them, though remember it is a big step to come to a place like this and say what you did.

Last 2 points...

the link here -

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/drugs-alcohol-and-mental-health

will give you other advice. And lastly, if you go to google and search for

"how to give up alcohol beyond blue"

you will find stories from others in the similar positions to you - check out their stories and know we are all here for each other and therefore you. Listening...

Tim

[geoff]

Hello Clea, this time, day and age which we have never been through before are staggering and there are different options people do to cope with situations like this and alcohol is definitely one of them, and without any doubt, I also used it to cope with many issues, much to my demerit.

We may decide to drink to have fun, relax, to celebrate or to numb the feelings we don't want to think of, and this list could include so many different variations.

Under the influence of the alcohol we believe that anything is possible, however, that's one side to the equation only, because deep negative thoughts develop which may not be agreed to while you're sober and you can't remember what has been said or dispute what someone else has told you the day after, your exact words, and couldn't believe what you had actually told other people.

It can be an addiction that can change our personality, mood and belief that we are capable of performing acts that we wouldn't dare be able to achieve, I'm not sure whether this is how you hurt yourself.

Tim has provided you with some sites to google and if you type 'alcohol' in the top search bar, many different comments will appear.

I've been alcohol free since 1/12/20 and we'd really want to help you.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Clea,

Well done for reaching out, and yes, this is probably one of the toughest times that we will ever see in our lifetime.

Drinking to cope is something I did plenty of in my younger years. I am now a woman of almost 50 and have been sober for 23 years; got sober when I was 26 and was also socially isolated, although it was because of my behavior; everyone had just had enough of me and I had no friends left, and even my family did not really want to know me.

Normally I would recommend that you try and get to an AA meeting, however all the meetings are currently closed, due to COVID 19. But fear not, you can actually attend meetings online! There is a website called 'In the Rooms' which is basically a site "to give recovering addicts a place to meet and socialize when they’re not in face-to-face meetings. This basic concept has grown into a global online community with over 500,000 members who share their strength and experience with one another daily. Through live meetings, discussion
groups, and all the other tools In the Rooms has to offer, people from around the world connect with one another and help each other along their recovery journeys" The link is directly below:

https://www.intherooms.com/home/live-meetings/

A lot of the local members around here are using the Zoom meetings app, however we all already know each other, and it's not quite an anonymous as you may like it to be? There is a number you can call 1300 22 22 22 where you can talk to someone from Alcoholics Anonymous, if you like.

In the meantime, the main key to giving up alcohol is to not pick up the first drink one day at a time. As for managing your emotions, well, personally mine are all over the place at the minute. I am actually a Secretary of a fairly large designated geographical area for about 67 AA groups and have had MANY people turning to me for support. It is breaking my heart that I can't just say 'Hey, there's a meeting on tonight at such-and-such......."

Suggestion for your emotional state; try writing a list of things that you have to be grateful for; such as food, clothing and shelter. Remember to take things a day, half a day, or an hour or a minute at a time. Perhaps set yourself a time limit for being sad, and then play all the upbeat happy music you can find!

Anyway, I do hope that helps at least a little bit. And remember, you are certainly not alone in this. We are all her for you and with you.

Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo

[Gumtree77]

Dear Clea

I feel your pain. I too have been drinking far too much lately as this whole situation is terrifying and depressing. Of course whilst drinking one feels better. Then during the night I wake in a cold sweat and the anxiety really kicks in. I also suffer health anxiety..which means I am absolutely ridiculous for all the drinking ( and smoking that I do whilst drinking) as I then decide I have cancer of some kind. I suffer major panic and anxiety and say I will never do it again. Then a couple of days later I do. I am totally my own worst enemy. It is so awful being isolated with no one to talk to and no idea what is going to happen next. I send my love to you and I hope you are ok. xx

[Julz01]

Hi Clea

i can so relate to your post. Alcohol and me have had an unhealthy relationship. This year I had taken to drinking really heavily and being a long time sufferer of depression & anxity it has not been helpful.

i talk to my care team about it and I made a commitment to my psychologist to take a 90 day break (apparently this is the time to break a habit). Well I am up to 25 days alcohol free the first week was hard when my anxiety peaked & my depression increased. I have been listening to podcasts called”take a break from drinking” which has been really helpful. I have my distraction strategies in place but have not had to resort to it yet. I am meeting with my psychologist weekly currently which has been a great help I am feeling great today.

keep in touch & let us know how you are going.

Julz