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I know in my heart I've become alcoholic, but my anxiety is more than I can manage.?
Sometimes I feel like all I do is drink. It has escalated from barhopping with friends to drinking straight vodka most of the day with V8 fruit juice so that I manage to get some nutrition. It's to the point where I had to move back into my college's dorm as a 24 year old grad student because my parents couldn't stand it. The worst part is somehow I've managed to still do very well with school and generally speaking manage my relationships with other people, and everyone is always cutting me slack, I think because I've become a manipulative flirt who uses her looks to her advantage (although I never go to bars; I mainly drink alone or with others but from my own stash.) Everyone says AA is the key, but I've gone to AA and I know other people have my same adddiction, but it is not enough; I've always had terrible anxiety and some depression, and without the booze, I feel really terrified about life at this point. I think I need more than just AA. Has anyone else been there?
I do not take medication for anxiety because it is normally habit forming and the last thing I need is that--I was prescribed Xanax but I liked it too much and told my doctor so. At least I can't buy that out of weakness because you need a prescription for it.
5 Answers
- Helen W.Lv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
I am a former alcoholic (quit drinking in 1998) and also have a history of anxiety and depression. I am here to tell you that AA is NOT the key. Not at all.
First, you need to see a psychiatrist and tell him/her about your drinking and your mood issues. Get appropriate medication (you are correct that Xanax is not the right medication, you will probably need an SSRI).
Do not attempt to drink and take the meds at the same time. I tried this and it nearly killed me, so I know. If you feel that a social support group might assist you, but don't like the idea of face to face meetings, SMART Recovery has some great online meetings as well as a forum you can post to.
And feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I have been in your shoes, but I am not anymore. I'm abstinent 11 years and as healthy as can be. Life can be good.
- 1 decade ago
Having an addiction is a hard thing to deal with. Most people don't know what we go through unless they have been there themselves. If you think that you drink due to your anxiety issues then I think you should focus on treating that. Do you take any medications for you anxiety?
- dardarLv 61 decade ago
AA will help with the addiction for sure. It just might not be the fit for you.
I would try a younger option. Your church, your doctor, or even a professor or teacher that you can trust. There are many reasons you drink, and if anxiety is one of them, then you need help to find out why. There are plenty of med's out there to help with anxiety, sometimes it will take several tries to get the best one to work on you.
Seek out help, sometimes it comes in the strangest ways.
Bless you, and good luck
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Perhaps you will find it necessary to permit the Almighty to give you direction. That's what was necessary in my case and I have been sober for almost 16 yrs. I have no anxiety to speak of although I have concern occasionally. I have a living faith that NEVER fails to guide me to better things continually.Feel free to email me and maybe I can help you away from this public opinion gallery.