Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Alcohol and Depression

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
    #1

    Alcohol and Depression

    Hi All, I am new to this forum and have been a social drinker for nearly 10 years now (i am 28)... It wasn't until recently that I began to realize my 'problem' with the sauce... my mom noticed back when i was in college, but i was in denial then and got very angry when she said i had a "drinking problem." I was definitely the party-girl, binge drinker. My problem is with alcohol abuse. I am not dependent on it in any way, but I do fall into the classic "Alcohol Abuse" symptom list -- nearly all the signs are evident.

    Anyway, I am working on down playing it from my life. I don't drink during the week at all anymore and on weekends, i'll only have a few. I am definitely realizing a significant difference. i just feel happier....There is one thing though, I am noticing that nearly everytime i do drink a bit more, say 5-7 drinks in a night, nothing where i am blacked out, or wasted, i wake up the next day feeling down, sad, and depressed -- even if there was NOTHING wrong that went on the night prior -- no drunk texting, fighting, etc. I feel like alcohol is CAUSING me to experience this depression-type of feeling. I do think i have depression to begin with, a mild case. every so often i'll be down and out - it can hit pretty hard, but I'll usually feel OK in a few days.

    Does anyone else experience this? I am getting to the point where I am AFRAID to drink at all bc i do not want to wake up and feel depressed. i did not want to give it up 100%, but at this rate, it may be my only option for a happy life.
    Tags: None
    #2
    Alcohol and Depression

    Hi Jenwoww, Welcome!

    Alcohol is definitely a depressant. Unfortunately, many people try to treat their depression with alcohol, and things do feel better while you are drinking. But I've yet to meet the person who ever got up the next morning, feeling more 'up', optimistic, or upbeat. Generally, there is an overall feeling of anxiety, nameless fear, a sense of foreboding. And that's if you're lucky enough to escape full blown withdrawal symptoms.

    You seem to make a direct connection to feeling worse after an evening of drinking. I can only say, listen to your body. It's so easy for that evening glass or two of wine to become four or five. You don't even have to imagine where it can go from there. Go to the top of the page to 'Our Community", click on General Discussion, and I think on the second page there is a thread called 'You know you're an alcoholic when........' to see how much fun it can be once you've crossed that 'invisible line'.

    There is a famous movie line: 'Be afraid, be very afraid......' Almost everyone on this site has struggled for years to be free of the ravages that alcohol has done to their bodies and their psyches. You are incredibly lucky that you still seem to be able to cut back considerably from what you used to do in college. Whatever you decide, you are always welcome here. Lots of interesting reading, life stories and information here. Glad you joined us. Hope to hear more from you.
    AF since 12/2/12
    http://hamsnetwork.org/taper/

    Comment

      #3
      Alcohol and Depression

      Hello & welcome Jen!

      This is a good place, glad you found us
      I suppose this could be a question of which came first, the chicken or the egg??

      In my case I absolutely was depressed & dealing with a lot of anxiety as well. None of my usual coping methods were helping me so I turned to wine ~ a lot of wine. At first I felt better (or so I thought) but as my intake increased so did my depression. You are young & smart to acknowledge your growing dependence on AL. You may not feel dependent now but have you actually tried to go for a period of 30 days without drinking? It's a good test & a good time to replace AL with healthier alternatives. See how you feel after 30 days AF. You may very well decide that you are much better off without drinking. Only you can make that decision.

      Go to the Health store here on the site & download the MWO book. It has a lot of good information for you.
      Wishing you the best

      Lav
      AF since 03/26/09
      NF since 05/19/09
      Success comes one day at a time :thumbs:

      Comment

        #4
        Alcohol and Depression

        Perhaps now you have AF days you can tell the difference between feeling good and the effect alcohol has on you?

        Welcome to MYO and well done on nipping the problem in the bud.

        I was a 'social' binge drinker, all the signs were there but I didn't realise until it was too late.
        I used the Sinclair Method to beat my alcoholic drinking.

        Drank within safe limits for almost 2 years

        AF date 22/07/13

        Comment

          #5
          Alcohol and Depression

          thanks for the posts/replies! yeah, i have gone alchy-free for months on end -- in the past, and i did this when i was 24, i FELT better but was MISERABLE at the same time bc i was sober and all my friends were not. I just could not enjoy myself without getting wasted when at the bars. Now though, I think I am going to try again...Now that I am getting older/not partying like I did when i was younger, along with realizing the severity that this path can take, it seems like the smart option - screw my friends or ANYONE else that doesnt agreeI but man, that is def the hardest part, which i am sure you are all very aware of... dealing with/rebuilding your social life with no AL.

          see, whenever i was having a bad day, i was/am smart enough not to go near AL...i had to learn this the hard way with MANY regrets and very emotional outburts. I only drink if i feel good and hoped that drinking would just elevate that feeling. and it does/always did -- but it doesnt last.... and thats where the guilt, sadness and depression would kick in.... just seems to be endless cycle... which i am sure you all understand....

          This seems like a great network, i am definitely going to be reading all the resources available on this site. just nice to know you are not the only person dealing with a silent battle over this.

          Comment

            #6
            Alcohol and Depression

            Jenwoww, glad you are here and posting. I used to join my husband nightly for a glass or two of wine for years. We didn't go out much when the kids were at home, so it was kind of a romantic ritual. After I got sober for the two years, I told him, go ahead and have your glass (he is not an alcoholic, and the regular size bottle will last him two or three days.) I would join him with a club soda, with a splash of cranberry juice or something, in a nice chilled wine goblet, just like his. So I felt I could still 'join in' so to speak. Same color, same chilled glass. Felt less 'deprived'.
            AF since 12/2/12
            http://hamsnetwork.org/taper/

            Comment

              #7
              Alcohol and Depression

              hi jen,yeah i think alc and depression go hand in hand too,its a cycle drink to feel good wake up sad feel like getting that happiness back drink again,now that ive had a little sober time now i know that if im in a pissy mood the booze will just make me pissier! welcome to you keep coming here its a cool place
              I have too much shit to do today and tomorrow to drink:sohappy:

              I'm taking care of the "tomorrow me":thumbsup:
              Drinkin won't help a damn thing! Will only make me sick for DAYS and that ugly, spacey dumb feeling-no thanks!

              Comment

              Previous template Next
              Working...
              X