Abstinence Depression?

[Crowgirl]

Check out this link. I'm on day 14 and feeling blue. Hoping it will pass. What do you all think of this?

Giving up alcohol can lead to depression - Telegraph

:thanks:

[Justforme]

Abstinence Depression?

Oh God! I don't know about abstinence giving you depression - I'm sure that I'd expect it to though after all, it was the thing most of us looked forward to most ... but those mice swimming 'in despair' in the mug of water, that's enough to make me feel like crying!

[mama bear]

Abstinence Depression?

I know how you feel...I get really blue

[Crowgirl]

Abstinence Depression?

Hugs, y'all. :l

Even with the depression factor, I still plan to finish my 30 and see where I'm at. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be working on a mod plan. In the long term I think that may be better for me.

But who knows? Maybe this will lift and I'll feel better than ever.

PS. Poor mice.

[sk8punk]

Abstinence Depression?

I think everyone is different. I just learned this week that I've suffered from depression since I was a teenager. Dysthimia is what its called. So depression caused me to drink. Drinking caused my depression to get worse until I had a breakdown. Now next week I have to go to my family doctor to get perscribed anti depressents. I really hope they work. I can't stand feeling like this.

[KateH1]

Abstinence Depression?

I think that there are a lot of factors to consider here before assuming that lack of alcohol causes depression and therefore one should perhaps continue to drink even after realizing that drinking is an issue for them.
1. This study was performed on Mice, not humans. The brain of mice and humans are not remotely similar.
2.The study was on Mice who they considered Moderate alcohol drinkers.
3. The reasearchers performing this study determined that these mice were "Depressed" based on lack of physical activity.
4.This test was conducted for only 14 days.

I do not find this test conclusive in regards to humans at all, much less humans that over consume alcohol.

In my personal experience the first 2-3 months AF I did in fact sometimes feel listless. I experienced being tired and my emotions were sometimes all over the place. This is not hard to understand considering that for many years I had used alcohol to "Mask" any and all feelings that were uncomfortable. Both Good and Bad feelings, I might add! Think about it, we drink to celebrate and we drink to escape....we drink to Not Feel! It is no wonder that in early sobriety we become scared and confused by Normal Feelings. And also remember that sadness and feeling low at times, are just as natural and normal as happiness and joy.

I also think that seesawing with days or even weeks of ABS followed by drinking extends our feelings of being on an Emotional Rolercoaster. Drinking after ABS resets our minds back to square one!

Just some thoughts.....

Best Wishes to All!
Kate

[hillsidetime]

Abstinence Depression?

Hi Crowgirl, I am sorry that you are feeling blue. The article you cited was interesting to read. I think that KateH1, pretty much nailed in on the head. I do think there will be value in your legging it out a couple of more weeks, to see how things go. For me, I have tried moderation so many times, for so many years, it just doesn't work. That is why, for the first time in my life I am trying to go it sober. All the best, and I hope you feel better,
Hill

[BingerSpice]

Abstinence Depression?

Oh dear, not very encouraging. I am suspected bipolar which further confuses things. Good luck in your progress.

[tylyr]

Abstinence Depression?

Good words here KateH1. I'm a bit of a yo-yo drinker. Have been ABS for weeks at a time, and then back to square one straight away after the first drink. the 'seesawing' as you so rightly call it doesn't do anyone any good. It's just that AL plays with our brains! how long did your cravings last? I really want to get to a point where I'm not thinking about wine constantly.

[mario]

Abstinence Depression?

BingerSpice;857894 wrote: Oh dear, not very encouraging. I am suspected bipolar which further confuses things. Good luck in your progress.

hi bingerspice & welcome to our community,read as many posts as you can and you will see that there is very encouraging progress here,even with bipolar,hope you give yourself a chance and you stick around

[Chi]

Abstinence Depression?

KateH1;857571 wrote: I think that there are a lot of factors to consider here before assuming that lack of alcohol causes depression and therefore one should perhaps continue to drink even after realizing that drinking is an issue for them.
1. This study was performed on Mice, not humans. The brain of mice and humans are not remotely similar.
2.The study was on Mice who they considered Moderate alcohol drinkers.
3. The reasearchers performing this study determined that these mice were "Depressed" based on lack of physical activity.
4.This test was conducted for only 14 days.

I do not find this test conclusive in regards to humans at all, much less humans that over consume alcohol.

In my personal experience the first 2-3 months AF I did in fact sometimes feel listless. I experienced being tired and my emotions were sometimes all over the place. This is not hard to understand considering that for many years I had used alcohol to "Mask" any and all feelings that were uncomfortable. Both Good and Bad feelings, I might add! Think about it, we drink to celebrate and we drink to escape....we drink to Not Feel! It is no wonder that in early sobriety we become scared and confused by Normal Feelings. And also remember that sadness and feeling low at times, are just as natural and normal as happiness and joy.

I also think that seesawing with days or even weeks of ABS followed by drinking extends our feelings of being on an Emotional Rolercoaster. Drinking after ABS resets our minds back to square one!

Just some thoughts.....

Best Wishes to All!
Kate

Great post Kate.

This is almost funny:

"The study was on Mice who they considered Moderate alcohol drinkers."


I picture mice sitting at a bar and only having two tiny mouse drinks before they go back to their mouse house.

Yes I know I am being silly. To me it was a funny visual, and I did not read the article. Please don't mistake that for lack of empathy for the hard-core boozer though as I am one of them.... and I fully understand.

The thing is, for many of us the CRAVING for alcohol MUST be dealt with, otherwise it is like living in a constant state of feeling deprived, and of course that is going to make one depressed.

I urge anyone who is struggling with cravings to read up on baclofen... perhaps that is the "antidepressant" that you really need?

[hart]

Abstinence Depression?

Great points Chi, and I also thought about how one characterizes a mouse as ANY kind of drinker,

I know for myself the biggest obstacles to overcome to be AF is change in routine, dealing with emotions (good and bad) not resenting or giving in when Joe drinks.

I'm making plans to keep busy, getting more exercise, eating better and having to let Joe make his decision with or without me on his choice.

We also REALLY want to go to Ireland in October so we need to save money, that's a big incentive.

[mario]

Abstinence Depression?

Hart you coming to Ireland..maybe

[brittzak]

Abstinence Depression?

I was depressed when I started drinking. The depression was only enhanced by alcohol, the point of suicidal ideations. I was on several anti-d's, but as most know alcohol destroys their ability to work. Once I stopped drinking and let them kick in, I have done so much better.

[redredwine]

Abstinence Depression?

AL is a depressant, if you are depressed, drinking Al will make you feel less bad by numbing the emotions. Al is also full of sugar or stuff that is converted to sugar and so when you go AF the body may become listless as it is not getting its usual high energy food supply.

Which is way a combination of chocolate and walking helps with the listlessness. IMHO