going out of my mind

[joerindge]

Ok I've been on the wagon now for almost three months and I can't stand it anymore. I feel like I'm going out of my mind, I feel depressed and pissed off all the time. Anybody got any suggestions or input?:upset:

[dancelot]

going out of my mind

Hi, joe -

I find out as I go along that different issues come up. By far the hardest (once I was off AL) was the mental part. It many ways it is the bigger part of sobriety.

First, are you looking after your physical health in general, such as eating healthy and exercising? I am particularly sensitive to when I don't - I feel mentally crappy, not just physically. I still take the suggested supplements as well, as I find they do make a big difference in my mood.

Many alcoholics (maybe most) also were self medicating for other issues. Once we stop drinking, our drug is gone, and we see and feel clearly what's going on around us. Many of us never learned how to deal with life, and are clueless now. This in itself is pretty depressing.

I myself am nearly 6 months sober, and have recently started attending AA. I decided to try it because I know I cannot drink anymore, and so am open to anything to keep me sober. By reading the AA thread under Monthly Abstinence section, I realized it was not at all what I thought. I actually enjoy it, but best of all, I'm learning a new more positive way of thinking, and what I call tools for living life. You might want to check this thread out. The members were very helpful answering my questions. The program really doesn't pressure you. Right now I only attend meetings, and find them very helpful. My attitude is just better all around.

I wish you the best, whatever you do. Take care.

[Lavande]

going out of my mind

Hello & Congrats on your 3 AF months - that's terrific progress

Were you depressed while you were still drinking? Certainly banishing AL from your life is not causing you to feel depressed.
I found that I had to change my thinking to really feel better. I learned to stop missing the wine bottle & started to enjoy all I was gaining! The hangover free mornings, the freedom to come & go as I please, the extra $$ in my pocket, no more dirty looks & attitude from my spouse, etc. the list goes on & on!

Why not treat yourself to something new, pick up a new hobby, make some new friends or get in touch with old friends that have been missing.......there is so much you can do to lift your spirits.

You haven't posted much since you joined MWO - why don't you drop in a few threads & join in some interesting conversations??!!

Wishing you continued success, hope your spirits improve soon

Lav

[Sky]

going out of my mind

Hi Joe

Well done on 3 months. That is a wonderful achievement.

I agree with Lav wholeheartedly. Regarding joining a few threads, do have a read of the threads, drop in and get to know other MWO members. You could start with joining the Monthly AF Thread. Lav and I are both a part of that thread. There is also The Army, Newbies Nest, The Next Day (Australian timezone), and others. Just jump in and say Hi and get to know us better. You'll soon learn which thread or threads you feel comfortable with.

[Doggygirl]

going out of my mind

Hi Joe! Congratulations on your 3 sober months. The early part was by far the hardest for me. One motivator for me to NOT drink is not ever wanting to go through that phase of quitting AL again. Because I finally accept that I cannot safely drink, ever. If I pick up a drink, down the tubes I go quickly.

When I quit drinking there was a HUGE gap in my life time wise. I really did devote a LOT of time and mental engergy to my drinking. Much of my days were spent planning to drink (making sure I had plenty of booze on hand, etc.), managing my obligations early so I could start drinking as soon as possible in the day, drinking, and then recovering from drinking the next morning. No wonder I thought about drinking a LOT when I first quit! That's what I thought about the most before I quit drinking!

It really took some effort to build a life around something else. I now have new hobbies, a new business, a better relationship with family / husband, and I am busy making lots of new friends. I am also involved in AA. I didn't start going to AA right away. I started going when I was almost 9 months sober, because like you, I had not achieved "contented sobriety." That's what I wanted, and that is the step that AA has helped me make.

Whether you do it through the fellowship here at MWO, or AA or both, or something different entirely is up to you. The important thing for me was to recognize the need to fill my life with other more meaningful things to displace the space that AL used to occupy.

Strength and hope to you,

DG