alcohol v tranquilizer

[punk rock warlord]

Might appear a strange question, but given the choice what do people consider to be the better option to curb anxiety. I used to self medicate with alcohol, now I very rarely drink at all, but do take a tranquillizer when I suffer badly from my anxiety. I know neither option is a good one but surely taking a benzo is better than drinking to numb the pain?

[Moonstruck]

Hey there Warlord....many of the folk on the Forum know that for many years I used alcohol for anxiety...anaethestise my emotional pain etc....had a few VERY close calls in hospital due to damage it did to my body after all the years.....now I can't drink (for medical reasons) at all...no alcohol for just over 3 years....damnit! I have no choice.....otherwise I wouldn't be writing this to you.

My GP gives me scripts for something to help me sleep...thank God...but I have nothing for during the day which is terribly hard....I am on the verge of asking her for something for daytime.

I have found some GPs very unwilling to prescribe anti-anxiety tranquillisers....even though alcohol is readily available to me and will kill me if I take it up again!

So thank God I at least have meds to help me through the nights....they won't kill me,...but the grog will!! Very best of luck to you...I understand how you feel.....

[blondguy]

Hey punk rock warlord and Welcome to the Beyond Blue Community...again 🙂

There is nothing strange about your question at all...You have actually made a good point as well as a good question too!

I was taught by my therapist to keep a small sleeve of those meds in my wallet back in 1983...just in case I needed them....It worked...anxiety is like a physical issue and you take meds for having severe pain...anxiety is no different. When feeling like you are on the 'edge' as in breathing being tight and you feel the panic increasing you know you have something you can take to alleviate the symptoms...so you can cope. It doesnt mean you take them...but just use them as a support mechanism....good to know that they are there if you really need them!

When I was 25 I used to have severe anxiety and needed 'something' to help me...so I did use the same calmatives as you have. In cases of a severe panic attack or when you can feel a serious one coming on. Depending on the situation you are in and what is actually triggering your anxiety attacks....eg...built up traffic...a crowded place etc.

The alcohol is depressant on its own and is only a short term very brief relief that has no productive benefit

If you use the meds as a crutch as you would with severe pain from a physical injury or as you mentioned when your anxiety is 'off the charts' I dont see an issue with it.

You have seen your GP which you should be proud of....good on you! Please remember that anxiety can take some time (yes even years) to heal from. Use the meds sparingly and have them in your wallet only if you need them...

Seeing a counsellor is always a huge bonus as well to help with healing yourself..if you can arrange one 🙂

You are more than welcome to post as many times as you wish........There are many kind people that can be here for you on the forums warlord....I hope you can post back and let me know how you are going

Kind Thoughts for you

Paul

[150lashes]

Hi there punk rock 🙂

It is wonderful that you have gone to the GP for support. That's the first real big step!

In terms of taking calmatives as described above, I think it depends on the GP and their belief on how to treat anxiety.

My GP would not prescribe them to me. She stated quite clearly that "this is not how she Practices Medicine" because she believes the root cause of the problems causing the anxiety are not addressed in this fashion. Her approach is psychology and if required anti depressants. So I was unable to get any to keep for 'special occasions'.

I have quite a few times turned to alcohol.. Which whilst it calmed the anxiety it always ended up throwing me into a depression, whereby I would then become so sad, I'd sit up for hours deliriously writing all these thoughts down and then be horrified the next day.

Especially when the thoughts are written in an email which you inadvertently end up sending to people... Yes me and alcohol is not a good mix, but as my name suggests, it is something I turn to. Well not so much anymore.

Anyway not sure if I helped there. I'd probably speak with the GP again about this and see what they think.

My GP knows I turn to alcohol at times and hasn't freaked out about it, but has told me it's not a good idea particularly as I am working through some things.

Best of luck!

[blondguy]

Hey Warlord

150lashes has made a good point about calmatives being prescribed depending on the GP....It is a bonus to sleep with a small dosage of a recommended script than the booze. Just for me these meds provided a sound (not a drugged) sleep and let me face the next day...They only gave me a platform on which I could heal.

You are more than welcome to post back whenever you wish

Kind Thoughts

Paul

[punk rock warlord]

Thank you very much for the extremely supportive replies. At the moment I am relatively anxiety free although never ever confident about it being gone for good. The G.P. has upped my AD dosage and I have some Benzos hidden away just in case, this provides me with tremendous reassurance - just knowing there is something there to ease the pain. Went on a 17 km hike this morning and managed to get into the gym Friday and Saturday- not bad for a 50 year old fella!

All the best folks!

[blondguy]

17klm Hike! .....and Gym? Nice1 Warlord!!!

Paul

[Moonstruck]

Hey Warlord....what a guy! I echo Paul's sentiments......hey you blokes...you may be interested (or not) to know just this morning...I mentioned daytime tranquilliser meds for anxiety, panic attacks etc...to my GP (who thank goodness does prescribe Night time for me to sleep. ) She is aware it's what I used alcohol for in the past...which is now off-limits to me (or I'll die).....also aware how long the night time meds last me and that I use them sparingly - it's evident I don't abuse them, nor am about to.......but she said No - nothing for the daytime!

So Paul, there'll be no calming friends in my wallet just in case...even though there's a pub on every corner!! Please explain!! Best wishes to you both...thanks for being there.....Moonstruck

[PatT]

Hi punk rock warlord,

In an ideal world, we could vex ourselves out of an anxious state with meditation, controlled breathing and determination but as you probably know it's rarely that simple. I think benzos/anxiolytics are definitely preferable to alcohol, yet you should still be cautious. Benzos and alcohol work on the same receptors in the brain and promote the release of the neurotransmitter GABA-a. Alcohol definitely has more side effects but both have a high addiction potential, so benzos should always be used sparingly.

Natural forms of relaxation are harder to master, but overwhelmingly better for your body and mind. Have you ever tried meditation? There are heaps of guided meditations on Youtube if you're willing to give one a go.

[blondguy]

Hi Warlord

PatT has sound advice re the benefits of natural healing and using the calmatives with caution. I would like to compliment you on something you said and I quote "have some Benzos hidden away just in case, this provides me with tremendous reassurance"

This re-assurance is invaluable. Just having a couple with you when out and about even without taking one can break the anticipatory anxiety cycle of thought of having a severe attack.

Kind Thoughts

Paul

Moon...we will have a chat