Why Alcohol Causes Anxiety
There are basically 6 reasons why alcohol consumption and hangovers make many people anxious and I’m going tell you what they are. I want to share this with you so that you can be more informed and avoid becoming alcohol’s punching bag.
Ever since I became sick with nervous illness I’ve heard a lot of people say that anxiety sufferers should not drink alcohol because it makes you more nervous than you already are.
I’ve always found this to be ironic because there are so many anxiety sufferers that drink alcohol to cope with their anxiety, but true it is.
Now, the fact that alcohol can cause anxiety is just that, a fact. It is a scientifically based understanding, so this is not simple conjecture on my part.
Will alcohol affect all people this way? Probably not, but as an anxiety sufferer you should be aware of the possible pitfalls of alcohol consumption, so pay close attention.
Scientists believe that alcohol causes or at least increases anxiety in 6 basic ways and here they are.
1. Mood
Alcohol can affect our mood because it can affect the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a feel good brain chemical that when in short supply can cause feelings of anxiety and depression.
A drop in blood sugar can cause dizziness, confusion, weakness, nervousness, shaking and numbness. These symptoms can most certainly trigger a bout of anxiety.
3. Dehydration
This has been known to cause nausea, dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness and muscle weakness. These symptoms wouldn’t cause anxiety per say but they add to a sense of illness which fosters anxiety.
4. Nervous System
The nervous system is affected because in order for the body to fight off the sedative effects of alcohol it puts the body into a state of hyperactivity in order to counteract this effect. This hyperactivity can lead to shaking, light/sound sensitivity and sleep deprivation.
5. Heart Rate
Your heart rate can become elevated as a result of consuming alcohol which can cause a palpitation false alarm and put you into a state of anxious anticipation. Is it a heart attack or isn’t it you might ask. This “what if” questioning can increase your general state of anxiety.
6. Concentration
A hard night of drinking can also make you hazy, bring on headaches and create a sense of disorientation.
So if you’re going to have a glass of wine with dinner I don’t think you should be concerned. On the other hand, if you’re a heavy drinker, or binge drinker, then this might cause a real problem for you.
According to The Times Online, scientists don’t know exactly why all this happens but they do suggest that you eat before drinking, drink water in between drinks, and stay in bed if you are hung over to avoid all the problems I outlined above.
Some would say that maybe you shouldn’t drink at all if you have an anxiety disorder – that’s debatable. Do you think that alcohol should be avoided at all cost when someone has an anxiety disorder?
I don’t think that alcohol should be avoided if drinking is part of your social repertoire, however, I also know that moderation and good sense should be your guide.
In addition, although alcohol does have a sedative effect it should not be used as a coping tool. This type of behavior can lead to alcoholism and worse yet, more anxiety.
So if you know that you’re a light weight, or if you already know that alcohol makes you anxious, don’t bother. Maybe I don’t need to say it, but really some people just don’t know when to say no.
Note: I want to hear your opinions. Let me know what you think about this issue – comment below.
Update
After waiting forever I finally completed a podcast for this article. Press play to listen now.
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Ruth, hang in there buddy…..You’ll be fine, just take a few xanax with ya.. I take about half a xanax MAYBEE 2 -3 times a month, so i dont see it being addictive, just make SURE you dont take that crap, or any other crap daily….
sounds to me like a MAJOR “promoter” and advocate for Welbutrin got their feelings hurt eh..lol….Sorry, but WB is a NO GOOD DANGEROUS drug!
To be fair, it STILL is an individual thing. It’s easy to over generalize on medications. Some are for a more select group of people than they are targeted for and that’s the producer and drug reps irresponsible pitch, but like I said, I’ve been on wellbutrin for three years now, and I should try to get off it soon probably, as I don’t want to be a lifer on any kind of anti-depressant, but it has been mildly keeping my head above the surface. A lot has gone wrong lately, but I feel able to manage it all, and happy despite everything.
Let me tell you a little story about personal choices that also can skew statistics. When I was 15 I took a whole bottle of wellbutrin, about 13 pills, that I had only been on a couple weeks (not enough to have it really start working yet) to kill myself. I passed out, had a seizure, and couldn’t walk for about a week. Now, I went to the hospital, and suddenly I’m another statistic of someone who had a seizure, because I told everyone I had a bad reaction rather than admitting I had tried to commit suicide.
my anxiety started when i decided to quit smoking and started on patch for the first 5 weeks it went well ,but later i just kind of got messed up i can’t sleep most of nights nomatter how hard i try and then it has always been subconsciously triggered by my baby waking up at nights most of the time couple of times ,then early morning so when i can’t sleep my brain is thinking and planning all the time.then at some point the next day afternoons i really feel so exhausted even to speak.my loss of appetite started at the same time i quit smoking.my alcohol consumption is bottle of white wine not daily,but on fridays and saturdays at home.i don’t know what to do
I went to the new Dr today.
I had had a sleepless night from the effects of Wellbutrin which were not working for me. I mean a BAD sleepless night. My appt with the Dr was extremely early. I was highly anxious, took a Xanax and had a glass of wine. I felt ok in the car (did not drive of course, have not in months) but when I got to the office, I was shaking pretty badly. Xanax does not make me shake. Only going cold turkey on the wine will which I haven’t done, so I knew it was the effects of the WB – when I took that my whole body was shaking badly.
I told her I didn’t want to take the Zoloft and just wanted some Xanax and therapy only. She said no way, as there was no Dr who would prescribe me Xanax alone as it was not meant for alone use. I said my other Dr won’t prescribe it for me as she sees it as very addictive. She said well it is. You try to get off it, she said, and you will have a really hard time. I disagreed and said in times I had only taken it once or twice a month. She told me I was most likely still addicted. So I said, well what are my options if you won’t help me and my other Dr won’t help me? She said you HAVE to take it with an SSRI. I said there is no way I’m going to be another guinea pig for another strong drug since the two week hell I went through with Wellbutrin. She was actually quite nasty. I told her an older Dr, about three months ago who moved away prescribed me with Xanax only, and she said it wasn’t legal. She is wrong.
Anyway even though my blood pressure was perfect, I was still shaking and told her I was going away. She went off and got me a small prescription for something like Xanax, begins with ‘b’ (Benpar, Baynar, not sure…) but I can’t remember now. I read reviews on that and they were WAY worse than Xanax. So I’m going to get another Dr who will give me occasional doses of Xanax without giving me some head trip about it. I know it’s addictive but I only take it when I have to and I told her that. I told her I wasn’t going on Zoloft b/c there were law suits after it, and she said there was for Xanax as well as people were blaming their Drs on getting them addicted rather than the drug.
So anyway, today I only had one and half glasses of wine, but did feel strange most of the day cos I will have to wait now for the WB to get out of my system. I have looked up herbal supplements and might try going or them instead: Valerian, Kava Kava, Passionflower, etc and see. She made me feel paranoid that I was already addicted to Xanax and said I could have 3 months of hell if I wanted to get off it. My bf knows how many I take and said she was talking rubbish. So yes, I’m sticking with it for now and know I can find a Dr who will prescribe it for me without anything else. That and the much lower consumption of wine till I’m down to nothing.
Ruth…OH MY GOD..i cant believe what an IDIOT Dr’ you must have…FIrst of all yes yoU CAN BE prescribed Xanax with nothing ELSE along with it….I’ve gotten it and never EVER took anything else with it or prescribed even with it……You should threaten that Dr. office with a lawsuit for fraudulant practice!.. There is also NO NO NO WAY you are “addicted” to xanax if you take it once or twice a month, or EVEN once or twice a week (in my opinion)….My mom, who is NOT a drinker, takes half a 1mg xanax several times a week sometimes for sleep…She just has bad anxiety i think…..and she is on NO other SSRI or anti depressions meds .. Change doctors Ruth, and get someone that will HELP you….They wouldnt prescribe you xanax to help you when you were only taking it 2-3 times a month? yet they want to PUSH these HIGHLY expensive other drugs on you to take DAILY…..HHHMMM…..what does that tell you people?? These Dr’s are just pushing these meds that are expensive, and dont want you taking something only once or twice a month.!
I have had the same experience, pretty much. I do not know why. I mean, I don’t think i have “drug-seeking behavior!” I have relatives that can get anything they want, but not me. These doctors act like we just want to take these drugs for the fun of it.
I’m taking Paxil 10 mg now, because it’s the only anti-d I can afford. It’s $4 on the Kroger list. It seems to be helping some. I really don’t want to go to a higher dose. I start wearing my 30-day event recorder (EKG) tomorrow to see if this is heart related. I am going to need more Ativan soon and am dreading having to talk to the doctor. I really am going to have to find another doctor.
I am going to have to break down and make an appointment with a neurologist and ear doctor. Is this brain related or inner ear??? I just don’t know.
I’m getting dizzy, and the blurry vision is really scaring me. Is this multiple sclerosis. Is all this really just anxiety???
Some doctors are funny about prescribing anything to help — Xanax, Ativan. I’m counting my Ativan like they are golden nuggets because I know how ridiculously annoyingly difficult it will be to get more from my doctor. Guess I need to call some of my wayward relatives to see what they can get for me! (OR at least get the name of their prescription-happy doctor!
Good luck to us all! I had a bad “spell” yesterday. I’m glad the kids weren’t here. I knew not to call 911 this time, though, as it was just same crap, different day. I took an Ativan and just waited it out, tried to breathe, then took a 4-hour nap and had a ton of work waiting on me when I woke up.
I am a medical transcriptionist, work at home, so at least I can still work. I do not think I could hold down a job right now if I had to work outside the home. Couldn’t drive to get there probably, being sent home time after time. just could not handle it. At least now I can lay down if that “feeling” hits. Prayers and hugs to all of us. This sucks.
Ruth, I’m surprised your Dr. let you stay on the WB with all those affects for that long, finding a good Dr. is hard. I was actually asking my Dr. about Xanax today because I often like to take it as a sleep aid, but didn’t want to get addicted to it. She told me that a lot of the reports on the addictive nature of it are very misleading, especially if you take it as prescribed. if you’re an addict, you’re an addict – whether its Xanax, booze, whatever, you’ll be jonesing for something. For example, if you’re popping 5 xanaxes a day and looking how to score more, illegally, then you have a problem – pain killers also tend to trigger more addictive personailities.
Wayne you’re an ass. I haven’t seen that all. All I have seen is people sharing the experiences with certain medications and share some stories. I haven’t seen anyone on her ask for any pity. It sounds like if there is any problem, it is within you, ” personally i don’t want to read it, it brings out more anxiety and depression in me.”
JP
Hi JP,
I had a GREAT Dr when I lived up north who would prescribe me Xanax alone. No problem, all done over the phone after one session, no questions asked and I was always at the lowest dose. But I live in a different state now.
About X as a sleep aid: it won’t work necessarily. I guess it must for you. For a lot of people it might get you off to sleep but might not keep you asleep. Of course everyone is different. I have had insomnia for years and for a while took sleeping pills here and there, esp if I had a tough work day the next day. But they will give me 2 hrs of sleep. A lot of it depends on what you eat. Some say the good old milk and banana before works better. Eating well really helps. Plus less alcohol! But X is not really for sleep, unless you are anxious of course, then that is a different story.
I TOTALLY agree that you can be an addict of anything. I’ve only ever been addicted to alcohol myself and that is bad enough. My boyfriend’s daughter has taken 14 X in one go with pain meds on top, oh my lord! But then she is a street drug girl.
I don’t know either what this Wayne guy was going on about. This site is about anxiety and alcohol, so of course some meds will come up in our discussions here and there, when necessary. I’m certainly not looking for sympathy, I just find it easier to talk with this group as it’s private and we’re all struggling along in the same boat and it’s really nice to actually hear the opposite of what he is saying: I have personally found the nice notes and advice really helpful. This site has worked better for me than talking to my family (who’d think me whacko) or going to AA. Just saying…
I should have clarified, I was given the Xanax originally when I had that manic episode with WB. She said I could use it when needed if I felt it was necessary and to even break in 1/2 also, if needbe. It’s the lowest dosage as well. I found with sleepaids that sometimes, well, they just wouldn’t work for me and some times if they do, well, I’ll get into that in a second.
I would take the Xanax, yes, simply to relax to get to sleep (say after I had a night run and feel a little wired). I notice it was more kind of like getting to sleep naturally, but yes, if I woke up, there wasn’t necessarily the chance I’d get back to sleep. I know some people keep a 1/2 on the side of their bed incase that wake up.
Now sleeping pills, you need to make sure you have like 7-8 hours of time devoted to sleep othwerwise, you might have some problems functioning the next day. I have some simply not work. My Dr. gave me Restoril. One would kind of work, two would put me out (and was I prescribed to take one or two), but I’d have STRANGE dreams. The Xanax, I kind of just nodded off.
Well, one time I took to Resotril, went out cold, had a really stranged dream and woke up to a halucination. It was this ratty, scrawny, evil-looking cat. The cat first came to me in the dream. In the dream I was sleeping and a cat was purring by my neck (didn’t see it). Then I realize I am in my bed and I feel the same sensation. Now, I’m awake, lying on my side and like okay, “this is weird?” Did something sneak into my place. I then fully wake up and stan by the side of my bed and there is this demon cat, “WTF?!?!” I say. The thing is swatting its paw like cat’s do, it even looks kind of ghostly, and let’s out this creaky, low, but biting sounding meow’s. I even swat at it. This goes on for a good 7-8 seconds. I then turn on my nightside table lamp and the image slowly fades away.
I figure out quite quickly what happened and knew what caused it. I never halucinated from prescriptions drugs so I was a little freaked at first. I’m sure whatever else I’m taking may have had some reason why this happened. She game me Trazadone to try now for at night. She even said its ok to take with xanax, e.g. perhaps I took one earlier in the day for some reason. Or, which I’ve had happened, I wake up from the sleeping aid at say 2am, you can’t pop another one of those.
Anyway, I rambled too long.
JP
For anyone else looking over these posts…. I was on Xanax for 5 years daily. Coming off it was a bitch….but can be done. Just remember this treat that drug as a last resort and respect it’s power, or it will own you.
Wow, I’m having a bad day and really hate myself. For the longest time, I really wouldn’t do much socially with friends, I like to stay into to avoid getting in trouble, but that’s no way to live. I went out with some friends to a game, we drank, I felt fine. I ended up going to a girlfriends house, we drank a little more, I stayed over and I feel awful! This is the worst anxiety I ever felt from this. I am so mad at myself, I mean why can’t I just learn! I was doing so good, knew not to go to my office sh#4 show party, which it was, I saw the pictures. But I can’t hang out with my friends. I think part of it is me slipping back into what I did when I was single, which was a long time ago..god I really hate myself right now…
JP, you gotta stop kicking yourself. Today is a new day. I used to tell myself when I would wake up the next morning after one of those nights that somewhere out there, somebody is going through the exact same thing. You are not the first person to drink too much.
Take a shower, take some vitamin B’s, go for a slow walk, and try to do something good for yourself or somebody. That’s what I used to try to do anyway, and if you can, you will feel better.
I found that my heavy drinking was causing AFib (an irregular heart beat), and that is very scary, which is why I have not drank much or smoked much pot in the last few months. The AFib was causing extreme anxiety symptoms – lightheadedness, blurry vision, rapid pulse, dizziness. The rapid pulse got so bad I was rushed to hospital via ambulance.
I am in the process now of seeing doctors to see if the drinking causes the AFib, which causes the anxiety; or does the AFib cause the anxiety cause the drinking.
Seems like Paxil is working (and small doses of Ativan) for me right now. I DID NOT want to start taking an antidepressant, but I had some major panic attacks and had to do something. These happened 2 months after I had a drink or smokes marijuana, so I guess I’m just plagued with serious panic.
This really sucks.
Yup JP we’ve all been there. Today is a new day. Work hard to not hate yourself. You’re human. Like Barbara says, load up on some VitB’s, go for a walk, try to do some things that bring you happiness like listening to your favorite music and so on. This too shall pass……
As for me, I am on Day 8 of what will be a very long drying out period. I’ve been having weird aches on my right side and liver. I went to the doctor and had a blood test to check my liver. My AST enzymes are 58 (39 is the max before the test is flagged for being high). She said my liver tests over the past year are conclusive for alcohol abuse. This is the first time my doctor has simply told me I need to stop drinking.
Say no more Doc. So as of December 4th, my liver is going on a wonderful vacation. Several months for sure. At which time I will have another liver test to see if my numbers are back to normal. If not, then my drinking days are officially behind me. If they are, then I will have a very Soul-searching question to ask myself. Can I allow myself the very rare occasion of drinking or should I just be done with alcohol for the rest of my life?
Time will tell. For now, my liver is on a beach somewhere sippin’ Milk Thistle and enjoying the fresh air.
Hey guys, thanks, I know. I took a Xanax this morning, it actually helped, but I feel it wearing off a little. I did drink a Vitamin Water which was loaded with C and b12.
This is why I hate alcohol, you never know, well at lease for me, when I’ll wake up fine or like this. I am noticing a pattern though which I’m going to talk with my therapist about tomorrow – it’s either old friends, sporting events and women. If the woman is drinking, I am. For the most part, during the week, I’m fine. I am ok with the two beers and I usually don’t even do that anymore. I think the meds give a false sense of security too, because I really do feel fine and act normal and fun. The girl I stayed over with texted me to say what a great time she had, etc. I won’t be hanging with her for awhile, not that I think she’s a bad influence, I need to somehow re-socialize myself.
Yes, walking does help, it’s a little cold in NYC right now though.
I kind of wish I could call it an early day, but I have an event tonight. I’ll be fine at the event.
I think now, I really need to eat something.
Thanks for listening guys. I’m just worried I’m going to lock myself in my apartment and cease all interaction with people…I really hate it. My old buddies from growing up have one of our buds coming in, we’re having a dinner, I know they want me to go…I just can’t. Mayve I’ll meet up with them later, then I always have the its late, need to run work tomorrow excuse.
I don’t think I’m an alcoholic by any means, I just need to figure why and when this inicidents pop up now and again.
Self-hypnosis or mediation, or hypnosis. Anyone ever try this? I’ve been doing some reading on it and I wonder if it’s worth a shot?
jp
Hi
JP: I hope you are feeling better.
Todd: Goof for you, I hope you can stay feeling good.
The side effects of the Wellbutrin eventually cleared out of my system. I had almost talked my way out of going north, thinking I wasn’t stable enough, but it was fine and getting on the plane was fine and I’m sitting here in downtown Chicago in a high rise, very high, and that is fine.
The night before last I helped host an enormous party with two of my best friends: big deal, tons of food and BOOZE. I have been drinking steadily since I got here. At home I know almost no one and the person who I live with does not drink at all, so I am safer there. So far I’ve had two incidents of anxiety but with some Xanax I was ok and the bouts were managable. My friend drinks a lot here in Chicago but to the blotto point, so it’s been nice to enjoy lots of top quality wines. I know in the end I will pay for it, but it’s the holidays, I need a social life and it’s been fun to get a buzz on, but I know I can’t live my life like this. I do find it hard to be social and sober and to be in big cities and sober and when there are a few parties on it is too tempting for me to not drink. So I am hoping that I can keep this steady level up till I return home and back to relative sobriety on the 20th.
The depression has gone for the meantime. I think sometimes I drink by myself when I am home is because I’m bored and lonely, so something has to shift and I will have lots to say to the therapist when I return. Sometimes I’m almost scared to move as if I live with loads of friends who are non-alkis and just light social drinkers but musicians and late nighters, I wonder if I can do that and don’t actually think I can. But there has to be a balance. I can be sober when I’m with a person that doesn’t drink. I can easily now go for a month sober, but I can’t hide from life because of my fear with my drinking. So: lonely bored and sober and healthy but social needs not met, or great social life, great friends, lots of going to friends gigs, lots of drinking, feeling crappy in the morning and staying on Xanax and having a few hangovers? Why can’t I just have two glasses? I wish I could be social at bars and clubs and gigs without having to have the crutch of wine.
Ruth, everyone has their triggers, I actually figured mine out on my own I realized when talking to my therapist. For me, it’s old friends (probably the worst trigger), sporting events and women. I actually do know how to drink now being like this, the problem with the old friends, is I seem to forget or think I’m young again. When I was younger, I pretty much could pace myselg perfectly, I also don’t like to eat a lot of junk, which ironically, junk helps with booze and hangovers. However, the pacing thing just does’t cut it anymore. I need to be well nourished, perhaps even eat a few carby sugary things I rather not, if I choose to do this, and the meds take it to a new level.
For the most part, I’m pretty good. I don’t drink home alone, but I under stand what you mean about social and drinking. I also live in a big city, the biggest perhaps, and one of my drs even told me the notion of not drinking living in this town is extremely challenging and somewhat unrealistic (unless your an addict and have no choice not to).
Yes, Ruth, I’m realizing now, holidays kind of suck.
I told my therapist how I’m really thinking about not seeing my old childhood friends at this dinner, because I know it will be a sh#$ show. She seemed to think that was a bad idea, she thinks reconnecting with my old friends is a good thing. I’m undecided, I might tell them I have a work thing and will meet up with them later. By that time it will already be late, they should be winding down and/or they’ll all be so wasted that I’ll have my guard up. 
JP
P.S. Thanks, I do feel much better today.
Is it possible that alcohol just enhances stress? Sometimes I can drink and party for months on end and feel fine, and other times it makes me crazy. i used to drink a ton whenever i did and have a blast (except that I don’t LOVE alcohol nearly as much as other substances), but when i was with my last bf I think he brought something out in me. He was perfectly nice but I would cry and get violent at parties with him after a while. Now I’m fine again when I do substances, though I don’t think I want to start regularly again….
Hi JP,
It is really annoying that junk works after a hangover. I eat really really well but after a hangover (thankfully rare these days) I either want the ‘hair of the dog’ or something carb like or a cooked breakfast. I think its the body craving all the nutrients it lost. I just got down to my ideal weight and am not about to go up even a pound.
My friend and I were talking about health, anxiety and drinking tonight. I told her I belonged to a forum and how drinking and anxiety are related. For her, she says that it doesn’t increase her anxiety but drinking gives her migraines and she never gets a migraine if she doesn’t drink so much. This conversation occurred while NOT drinking, I might add. She is very like me. Like using it as a sleep aid (which does not work as we know) and a social backup. She is fortunate that she has to go to work 4 days a week. If I had a ‘normal’ job I couldn’t drink in the day, but I don’t have a normal cos I’m self employed so I make my own rules, which while sounds perfect, is not that good if you want a wine at noon.
Anyway, I think that your therapist might be right in that it would be good to catch up with old friends. But I also think turning up later would be a better idea. I think it all depends on how close you are with them. If you’re not close, you’ll want to drink as it could feel awkward with childhood memories and reunions are strange. I don’t do them myself. I just feel old and everyone talks about their poor marriages and messed up kids and I get bored with old stories of the past, which if there is no new common ground for conversation, will go there. Not really fun or scintillating. You’ll make the right decision I think.
Today was pretty ok… two drinks at a restaurant and one glass of vino at the art movie, not too bad.
everyone talks about how much they drink,,and less on how they feel after it ,
im sober now for five weeks my anxiety was so so bad after i drank it was un barable i just wanted to crawl up and die..it took me 3 weeks to get a bit better,,nobody seems to have that type of anxiety here!!!
Well, as I have gotten older (50) the hangovers are what are killing me. I’m talking sometimes a 3-day hangover, and I was starting to get BAD heart palpitations from the alcohol, which caused MAJOR PANIC ATTACK. At least I think that is what is going on, still getting testing done.
But, back in my 20s, I was really drinking and partying with substances a LOT and joined AA/NA/CA with a boyfriend at the time. I remember feeling awful the first few weeks of not partying, very sleepy, lethargic constantly. It passed and then I started feeling better physically anyway, although could not wait until boyfriend gave up this sober crap and we could start partying again. Eventually I started partying without him. We broke up. Apparently he has been sober since, and that was in the 1980s.
Anyway, drinking can cause arrythmia, which will cause MAJOR anxiety. Is you pulse irregular? Are you also getting lightheaded, palpitations, anxiety, a fearful feeling, heavy pounding heartbeats??? Could be arrhythmia and/or panic attacks. Ativan helped me for immediate help and now I am on Paxil, which seems to be helping somewhat, but something is definitely still going on. Still trying to determine if this is anxiety or something physical.
I am starting to think all those years of partying are catching up with me. My drugs of choice were alcohol and cocaine. Did a LOT of both. Wonder if the coke affected my veins? Fear of aneurysm….. Geesh, I’m getting on my own nerves with all the worry!!
Barb–by all means POST MORE , not less…..Its about the “details” and personal experiences, that we can all relate to here, and say to ourselfs “oh my god, that sounds exactly what i been feeling”. etc…..So post as much as you want, and the more detail THE BETTER…..trust me…
Hi Barabara, I doubt your Cocaine use from your youth is affecting you now, or your alcohol use for that matter. I am not a Dr., but from what I understand, your brain, like your lungs can correct itself. Unless you had a cocaine induced stroke or something like that, I think your facilities should all be ok.
Ruth, that is what I decided to do, go later. I only keep in real touch with a a few of them, but when I do see the others, its a good thing. I actually grew up in a very small town (ironcially right outside NYC) and it was a pretty tight knit community. So, whenever you see somewhere from around the time you were there, let alone your own year, it’s kind of exciting and fun. The exciting and fun is what brings on the over festive nature.
I went on a good run last night and then stopped into the tap room at my club. Lately, I just been getting club soda, but decided to have a beer. I was going to limit it to two or three, started chatting with some people, ended up having four. I went home at a decent hour and popped some pills to get to bed. I’m actually ok this morning, I have been a little tired this week, just because I’ve had some long days this week, nothing substanc related. I will say, I feel a little “off”. No crazy anxiety or anything like that, maybe I should’ve stuck to me orginal plan though.
Sigh, I think it may be time to train for another marathon….
JP
Here is the primary reason for alcohol-induced anxiety: alcohol makes people anxious because of the affect it has on self-awareness. Most people who drink to control anxiety do so in situations where others aren’t drunk. So the person naturally becomes paranoid about smelling like alcohol, etc. I have read multiple case studies on this and it’s really the only noteworthy explanation. Alcohol likely won’t promote nervousness in settings where others are drinking/intoxicated.
this couldnt be further from the truth……for me at least, because many times when i felt the most anxious, or even panic attacks, is when i was home, by myself, with no one else even around.
Fang, I agree with J, I think that is totally wrong. Again, like J, I am only speaking from my personal experiences, but mine are completely the opposite. If I am in a situation where others are not drinking or drunk, I am always fine. I don’t have the urge to drink and I am actually quite happy I am not being peer pressured into anything. The only time I am in a situation where I drink a little (or a lot) more than I wanted to, is when those around me are getting sh#$faced. If anything, I am probably the least drunk person, say, 95% of the time. If I get to that point, my first instinct or reaction is to go immediately home….and I do. No stopping at another place, no one more, maybe stop for some food (no drink with the food) and that’s it. If I’m with a woman and she’s drinking, that might be a little bit of a problem, it’s a little hard to ween off when the lady is pounding…plus, I know where that’s going to lead 75% of the time.
For me, because of the medication, I sometimes lose moments of time, but I always know I didn’t do anything foolish. One, if I did, I can assure you I’d remember and second, I’ve even asked people and they always say the same thing, the look at my strangely and say, “No, you seemed absolutely fine, you were actually kind of funny, I thought for sure you were the most sober one.” (It’s still a little scary though).
JP
P.S. Ruth, I actually ended up not meeting my friends. My building had its co-op xmas party, I went to that, had a few beers with some neighbors, popped and 1/2 a trazadone and went to bed. Oh before the moral police start chiming, my Dr. told me that was completely safe and fine.
I hosted a dinner party last night for 8. Was I sober? No. I actually crashed out in my party dress. But made great food and didn’t make a fool out of myself -rarely do when drinking – and everyone had a great time. Drinking makes me anxious, tired, sometimes reduces stress and the social anxiety thing is lessened. Why is this? ONe of my friends who came over sings in front of 3000 or so people and can have a glass of wine here and there. I’d be Amy Winehouse with that lifestyle.
But the point of my post is that to the person who said that paranoia exists and the smell on your breath… I do agree… I am almost glad that every alcohol reeks other than vodka, which I cannot drink. If all alcohol did not smell, well I would not be alive writing this post.
Today I fly home to the wilderness and quiet and say will hello to my liver. The holiday was great but Christmas and the New Year will be sober for me and I’m looking forward to it.
JP,
I don’t know what trazadone is, but I do know that we don’t need any moral policing. In fact when I think about it, when people do that, it’s so annoying I almost want another glass. The judgmental thing is really stupid. Sober people are as messed up as anyone out there, pills or not. I actually make a concerted effort to cut people out of my life who have ridiculous expectations or opinions about my lifestyle. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Don’t worry about it.
Bottom line is that sure, we hate anxiety and the drinking issue is huge, but still, just because people have opinions, shouldn’t determine what choices we make. Even with my struggle with drinking and anxiety and that I have a history of doing back and forth with it,, I can still say I would never swap my life for any one else’s.
Trazadone, if I spelled it right, is a sleeping aid, more on the milder side. I was actually with my psychologist today and she told me a lot of issues patients bring up with her is wanting to hang out with their friends and trying not to drink, because that is all their friends want to do. We’re not talking about kids here, I’m sure she means people like me and older.
For business its really tough on some people, especially if you’re a Wall Street person, you pretty much have to do whatever your customer is doing and that could mean drugs as well; at the very least you need to be able to get it for them.
Also, if they want to stay out allnight and take a care to Atlantic City, guess what, your doing it.
Ruth, we know, people that say “jyou’re on medication, just stop” don’t have an f’in clue what they’re talking about. Which, by the way, I’m having re-adjusted. I am weening of Celexa over the next 6 days and will start taking Prozac, the 150mg of Welbutrin will stay the same.
Hey all,
Been a while since I wrote in the website. Been pretty good in the anxiety stakes recently, however, this report has struck a bit of a chord. I have been out this evening and had a few beers…and yes, I can confirm that I feel lousy. Skipped heart beats and general raised anxiety…nice.
I am not a big drinker and, frankly, I would be happy never to drink again. However, it seems we live in a world where drinking is unavoidable. If you want a social life then booze is difficult to avoid.
Anyway, I am sure I will be fine in the morning. Just need to sleep it off I think…
Happy xmas all!
Andy
Happy New Year! Reading the posts here have made me feel I’m not alone. I am an alcoholic trying to change this for the past 2 yrs. With small bouts here and there which instantly give me horrible depression and anxiety the next day. I believe alcohol is poison to me but like an idiot I dabble with it here and there sometimes at family gatherings and other times at home for no reason at all. I was hoping to start this New Year sober but the devil got the best of meso now I shall pick myself up and start over. I recently had a full hysterectomy so now I’m on a HRD on top of my zoloft and ativan for anxiety and insomnia. Ya so drinking really isn’t good for me to do with that mixture.. I hope to hear more of your stories it helps to know there are more people out there like me
Hi Janelle
Alcohol saps your body of nutrients. It damages the stomach lining. The liver can only deal with one unit of alcohol an hour on average so while your liver is dealing with that unit the rest of the alcohol is surging round your body not one cell can escape. I work with individuals who have issues with alcohol and using reflexology is an immense source of relief from anxiety. These individuals have reduced their use of alcohol after a session of reflexology. I recommend after checking with your general practitioner that you look at having some form of complimentary therapy like reflexology to ease your anxiety and help you reduce your intake as part of a comprehensive plan which includes help from an agency specific to your needs. You have to do this on your own but you can’t do it alone. What that means is you be ready to change that must come from you, no one else can do that for you. Once you are ready then you get the help and support specialised help. That’s what I mean when I say your can’t do it alone.
I hope this helps Janelle.
N>B> Vit B complex mega dose. These are necessary for your nerves. (check with gp first).
Janelle, Sylvia gave you some good advice. I went to a reflexiologist over the holiday, it was a REALLY good one. This one was in NYC and I’ll be frank, it was on the pricier side than you normally see advertised, but oh was it worth it! I have a lot of foot problems from sports, which is initially why I did it, but wow, it did more for my mind than my feet. I never felt so relaxed and literally drifted off into another place. When I left the place, I was walking around Greenwich Village, calm, while everyone was bustling around, quickly, for no reason at all. I even laughed a little about it.
I’ve been doing quite well in this department as of lately. I think the med mix I had wasn’t helping, the new one seems much better; everything seems clearer and I’m more productive.
The vitamins are key as well. B-12 was pointed out, Vitamin C definitely helps, especially with the weather starting to get drasting cold as it is up North now and look into fish oil as well, it’s good for the brain. I’ve been taking it for a few weeks and definitely notice a difference.
All the best to you.
JP
Lately I started noticing that when I have a couple drinks I go home, fall asleep and then wake up either having a panic attack or just really anxious. My anxiety and panic is in my sleep 90% of the time. During the day I’m pretty much a normal person. Tonight I had 2 glasses of wine and woke up at 2am feeling the start of a panic attack. I use clonazepam to calm down..,dissolves like candy, I love them. I get them from a family member because I sadly can’t afford to see my old psychiatrist anymore. Although I do need to find some doctor soon….I thought I’d outgrow all this by now but apparently not! If anything it keeps changing and getting worse. sometimes I feel great for a few weeks and then out of nowhere the anxiety hits and I get depressed for days sometimes weeks… Not sure why..
Concentration its funny how its the longest one at of all and u want my Concentration
This doesn’t say anything about how drinking causes anxiety. It might say why it might cause it, but not an objective “drinking causes anxiety” answer for me. Even the statement “Will alcohol affect all people this way? Probably not” tells me that there is no solid answer.
How am I supposed to just “go with it”, when there is no scientific citing to back any of this up. It might sound reasonable, but I don’t have any evidence here, so I can’t necessarily agree with any of this.
Hows everyone doin?? I’ve been drinking pretty regularly here…I havent had any major bad panic attacks lately, but then again i have disassociated myself from almost everything that might cause me panic attacks…lol…One thing i have noticed for a FACT— Well i’m a heavy nicotene user (chewing tobacco), i chew about a can a day for the past 20 years…Well lately i’ve been trying to quit and substitute the nicotene with an herbal all natural chew…Sometimes i go for days without using real “nicotine” and what i’ve noticed is that if i’m hungover, or drank pretty good the nite before, well if i use nicotine that morning, i can feel the anxiety go thru the roof–Yes we all know that nicotine raises blood pressure,, heart rate etc, just as does alcohol, but i just wanted to make this point here..I think its almost conclusive that when i use nicotine when hungover the chance of feeling “panicky” or anxious goes up 100%…Just wanted to share this.
Hey everyone, hope everybody’s doing well and finding peace in your days as much as you can.
I’m checking in. After my last liver test my liver enzymes were 58 (the acceptable high is 39 I believe) which were higher than when I took my test a few months before where they were slightly elevated. So my doctor told me I need to stop drinking.
It’s been 5 weeks without a drop of alcohol. I feel great and sure enough no more liver aches and pains. It’s hard to believe my weekend binging of wine was doing so much damage to my liver but there you have it. I’m sure it also has to do with the fact that I have been abusing alcohol for 30 years.
I have yet to decide if I will ever drink wine again or if I am done for life. I certainly do not want cirrhosis and an early death because I just had to have too much fun binging on vino in my 40′s. Yet I wonder if I can really moderate and only drink on special occasions/holidays. 90 percent of my drinking is by myself on the weekends. If I remove that aspect, my drinking would be very few and far between and something to look more forward to. Then again, I may be fooling myself and simply bargaining with that addictive side of me that doesn’t want to give it up.
Therapy is helpful in getting me to see those things about myself. I’ll take another liver test probably in Spring or so after 6 months without alcohol. If my liver enzymes are back to normal I have a big decision to make and I want to be smart about it.
Has anyone else had liver problems or am I the lucky one?
Be well!
I understand what you are going through, I am 33 yrs old and about a year ago after a night of drinking I would have serious anxiety feelings like I was going to faint or worse. Is there anyway to deal with these feelings?
I dont get anxious when I drink, but I have noticed when I drink after I have gone to bed I am awakened by bouts of anxiety. Could this be considered a symptom of a hangover. I feel fine when I get in bed. It doesnt happen until I have been sleeping for a few hours.
love this article and website. The pattern is most evident. Simply after a night of drinking I get super anxious from symptoms of the hangover. I think the 6 resasons hits the nail on the head. Before I read this I was considering to not drink till I feel my anxiety lifting as it has been over the past month or so. But I think it won’t hurt if I hydrate like I used to and maybe eat a sugar filled treat if that helps I’m bout to google that one and learn. But all aside evidence shows for myself that after a night of pouring it on I usually have mild to severe anxiety the next day depending on my situation in life. Hydration, food, the night before and I sometimes fight the idea of taking xanax for anxiety but when I do on those heavy days it does offset the symptoms. I think I just need to make adjustments so I can still enjoy the night of and how to reduce symptoms to enjoy the day after.
what does Xanax and Wellbutrin have to do with this article???!?!
this article is about alcohol causing anxiety. I tend to have this reaction from “beer”.. as little as two beers does it. It never happened to me before, but all of a sudden i cant drink beer without feeling like im going to die for the next 2 days. It doesnt happen “while” im drinking. i feel great while im drinking. its only the next few days with absolutely NO REASON.. doctors pass me off. They simply say “stop drinking”. If this happened from eating a certain food the doctors would look into it. but since its alcohol they dont care and everyone simply passes it off as “anxiety” or “alcohol intolerance”. well it came out of nowhere instantly so it MUST have a cause. No if ands or buts about it. and for me it seems to ONLY be beer when im out with friends. Ive been having glasses of wine home with dinner and a glass to relax at night and im fine. but BEER causes this utter feeling of death, anxiety. mental confusion. lack of concentration nervous tics, paranoia etc… I wish doctors would bother to “research” the cause rather than not giving it a fleeting glance because it comes from something you can just stop doing. Im highly convinced this is the cause of an underlying condition that i HOPE does not cause other symptoms. Lyme disease seems to mimic the symptoms. Would a doctor leave Lyme disease alone??! I highly doubt it, but seeing as its so hard to find doctors dont bother. they look once, see the minimalistic test is negative and simply say “its not lyme disease”
I understand the article that “alcohol makes anxiety worse” what I need to know is WHY! it never used to, why all of a sudden does it now? and why so terribly? if it were anything else doctors would investigate. If i went in to a doctor and explained the situation and lied and said i dont drink theyd be VERY concerned that its so sudden, so severe and with no explanation. and why is it only beer? not wine? and why after one or 2 do i feel this? it has to be something chemically within the beer that now reacts with my body. this outlines a condition. Lyme? Candida? celiac? lupus? Nobody bothers to care to check and its frustrating. This article only makes it more frustrating stating the ole “the only solution is to stop drinking” mantra that people spout out when they cant find an answer. Great, lets brush it under the rug why dont we.
Out of pure personal curiosity and interest. How many of you had conservative or highly religious upbringings? Do you think any/some of the anxiety produced has anything to do with a lingering guilt felt about doing substances?
I wasn’t raised in a particularly religious household, but no one in my nuclear family drinks or does drugs, so it was somewhat conservative and it’s very difficult for me to believe, on a deep internal level, that one can be successful while doing these things. Even when I try to convince myself, I think a lot of anxiety produced, for me, has to do with feeling like I’m self sabotaging every time I drink or smoke, whether or not it is true.
I definitely did not have a religious backfround. As a matter of fact, I went through quite a hedonistic part of my life, which I’m sure I’m being overdramatic, but I didn’t care what I did or how it was perceieved. The anxiety thing came on later in my life. I would get home feeling fine, not even that drunk and have this problem, similiar to what everyone else has mentioned. Someone mentioned beer hits them hard, for me, if I drink too much wine it will usually be the killer, but it does happen with beer sometimes as well. The different alcohols affect the body differently and different people are affected by different things.
Meds came up because some of us are on them. Yes, it is not reccommended that your drink while on them, but if you ask any Dr. the real story they will tell you that some can induce the effects of alcohol (says so on the label), but its not as if you can’t drink; most Dr. will tell you 1-2 drinks per day for a woman (on average) and 2-3 for a man (on average), again, peoples tolerances are different. You’ll find with most meds you’ll drink less anyway, although I’ve heard people have the opposite effect.
I’ve been ok lately. Most things have been under control. I did have one little anxiety episode (after drinking), but I know what caused it. I was out watching the game, and was pretty good about monitoring my alcohol intake. I went to go meet up with another female friend (impulsive decision) somewhere else, and apparently we had some unresolved issues which I had no idea about. I got hit with a huge curveball and really didn’t know how to react, she even had a friend with her and I know I felt embarrassed. I then also realized, while not wasted by any means, I was definitely more buzzed than I thought because my retorts, well, just sounded foolish, nothing mean or nasty, just dumb and I noticed, so I left and went back to my other friends. OH, I had not ordered a drink with the person during this time as well. When I went back to my other friends place, I hung out with his wife for a little while and told the story. I even txt’d my friend simply saying, “that was unfortunate, we’re both a little drunk, I’m not mad at you, let’s talk tomorrow when our heads are clear.” She texted me back something longwinded and crazy (I deleted all of it). Anyway, while staying up with my friends wife, probably had two more beers I didn’t need, still felt fine, but I know the anxiety will come and went home.
I woke home feeling the anxiety for obvious reasons. I remember my unfortunate run-in, but also remember the positive discussion I had with my friends wife. Good thing it was a holiday, I just took the day off (and I also had a date later, I wanted to keep).
I never called my “friend” the one with the disagreement. One, I really didn’t want to talk to her, but also (obviously me and this woman had past physical initmacy), but we never discussed any of it, it was unresolved and things were definitely festering with her. I ended up writing her the following day. I pointed out that one of the key things that destroyed my marriage was lack of communication and it destroys any type of relationship. I even told her I wondered if we really were even friends, not in a nasty way, in a matter of fact way, which I emphasized. I didn’t want her to think I was mad, because I wasn’t. I even apologized for whatever part I played in this unfortunate event, because that is how I saw it, merely that. I ended it with if she wanted to talk, she knows how to reach me, if not, no worries; I’ll understand what that means and there will be no hard feelings. I truly meant this as well.
I haven’t heard from her and I don’t feel mad, happy, sad or anything; actually, the thing I feel most is relieved.
(wow, i went off on a tangent…sorry all!)
I understand JP. One of the main reasons I originally wrote on this page was while trying to figure out if and how substance use was affecting my relations. Both friends and lover(s). This year has been a progressive one for me, though on the outside it looks more like multiple setbacks. In the past 6mo. I’ve been broken up w/twice (same guy), lost my two best friends of the last two years, and got in a monumental fight with my mom while on vacation. Strangely, I’m relatively sober, about to graduate, and feel a kind of positivism and confidence that I haven’t felt in years. I feel like this is all a part of sorting out who really belongs in your life and vice verse. I would say it isn’t as much about who deserves to be as much as compatibility. I still have my doubts about the genuine nature of relationships where hallucinagens, weed and alcohol are an integral part of the hang out routine, but I feel more prepared to deal with it. That is as much from doing what we do as it is from stopping for a time, and knowing I have the will to achieve what I want and find a close circle of people I love. I want to spread positiveness, hopefully I’m not manic like my mom says every time I’m happy….
I also suffer from anxiety years ago when it first stated id just get it randomly all day, it took about a year of no drink or drugs for it to settle down so I can live normally I just refused to take anything to help as id had enough of drugs full stop, and ten years on with no drink or drugs I’ve had a much better life but my friend anxiety has never left me I know now just how to keep it in check better, i don’t take my state of mind for granted anymore i know how easy it can be warped. Its still hard not goin out drinking as I miss it a lot but I just had to reinvent myself its worked for me. Its still of great interest and extremely helpful to hear about everyones experiences in a way sometimes I feel lucky the anxiety got me else something much worse would of.
I was born into a semi-religious Christian house (Mom was, Dad wasn’t but we attended church)…Then after my parents split when I was 11, then life became hell. She met a tortured, evil man who forced us to go to a fundementalist church and I hated the hypocrisy I saw up close and personal every waking day. Heavy mental, emotional and physical abuse ruled our home from 11-18. There is no doubt that my introduction to alcohol, pot, LSD and other drugs was a result of my desire to escape the hell of my childhood.
No drugs stuck with me into adulthood other than alcohol. It no question helped numb my anxiety and panic disorder through my 20′s and 30′s and now into my 40′s. I’ve finally realized the power of alcohol and how it effects my body/mind/health. I’m learning to release myself of the “weekend addiction” and will only choose to imbibe on holidays and special occasions only. That will remove about 90% of my drinking, which translates to 90% less withdrawls/anixety bouts, feelings of depression and all the other many unsavory side-effects of having alcohol in your system every week of the year.
I’ve been alcohol-free for nearly 7 weeks now and I have to say I feel rather fantastic. The biggest difference is the freedom I feel from gripping episodes of alcohol-induced anxiety and feelings of depression that usually follow weekend binging. I had a complete blood work check of all of my organs and as of right now I am as fit as a fiddle. Liver enzymes are back to normal, pancreas is good…All good things that are helped with laying off the booze. By embracing a new way of life I hope to prove you can have your wine and drink it too.
Just a lot less often which by itself makes it more fun. Life is better when my brain isn’t filled to the brim with red wine. Anxiety isn’t 100 percent gone but it is absolutely in the back room that is well insulated. Life is good right now. It’s entirely up to me if I want it to last.
Todd, its always an inspiration reading yoru words, because i can relate 100% to what you say…I cant believe it though, 7 weeks/? I can say sadly and honestly, that I havent gone even 7 “days” without drinking in 20 years….I would like to certainly have a bout with sobriety, however i find my life too boring without drinking…..See, i love to cook, and watch a good movie, and to me, neither of these are “fun” without a few beers to accompany it…Yes i know thats a personal problem of mine, and an issue i will have to address sooner or later….I havent had any “real” bouts with anxiety lately, even though i drink literally “nightly”, but i find that keeping my consumption down to 6-10 lite beers really does help with the anxiety…….I still feel the “tired” feeling the next day from drinking, and the overall sluggish, crappy, semi depressed moods, but i can say with almost certainly that at least in my case the “panicky anxiety” only will come out if i have hard liquor, OR wine, OR Ice beer ……..just wanted to throw my thoughts out there, no real question here..
Hi J,
I do have to agree with your comment that life can be boring without drinking. Since I started drinking in my teens I went for a year and a half with not drinking but since then have only managed one month at a time being sober. I’m back on the wine, but strictly wine. No mixing drinks and certainly no liquor or I get depressed and moody and kind of angry, so I stay off it. And beer just makes me feel fat and I don’t like the aftertaste in my mouth even after brushing teeth properly etc.
My anxiety is way worse with lack of sleep I’ve noticed. Alcohol consumption affects sleep of course so I get around it with naps. I like to cook as well and cooking and drinking go together like for some smoking a cig and having a cup of coffee do.
I’m in a phase at the moment of drinking a fair amount of wine but am at least trying to make sure I keep the limit the same. Last night I went to a swanky wine bar in the city with a couple of friends. I was bored stiff till the third glass of wine kicked in. Drank four. By the forth, I was having a brilliant time. Had a really great time, no crazy dancing, no running off with strangers, remembered all conversation, but it was definitely a better evening with alcohol, which is kind of sad to have to have a crutch, but I do.
My therapist has been busy and anyway, she is not really helping. She is too young to really be of much help, she is 10 years younger than me and I think she has issues of her own, so I sometimes feel more like the therapist myself. I’ll keep going as my insurance covers it, but if it didn’t I wouldn’t go. I hope for some snippets and sometimes get some and she’s super nice. I feel like if a therapist isn’t a drinker, hasn’t really known what true anxiety is, that they cannot understand and I think that’s the case here. I at least changed my primary Dr since the last one wouldn’t give me Xanax without the SSRI’s which I refuse to take after the horrors of Wellbutrin. We’ll see what the next Dr says.