I drink alcohol to ease my anxiety,i dont want tablets,help!?

Question

My mom suffers with anxiety and she has been on tablets over 21 years and i have seen them ruin her life,she is now addicted and needs them for the rest of her life. I also suffer with anxiety and get nervous and panicky around people and find it hard to act normal. I self medicate with alcohol(just if i'm going out somewhere like a pub/club etc). I just feel so great with it and relaxed. Is this kind of self medication dangerous or should i continue as long as i dont over do it?

Answer 1

Your words are exactly what I am dealing with myself. However, I have been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with this anxiety for over 10 years and I now have a serious problem. I thought I would never overdo it but I have as time has gone by ... I am now seeking treatment and wish that I would have pursued other options for my problem. A therapist of mine had great words ... medication - no matter in what form only covers up the underlying problem. Working through the problem and understanding it is the only answer.

Answer 2

As others have said, Alcohol can interact w/ many drugs and cause all kinds of problems. They are mistaken however that alcohol is not allowed in Nursing Homes, Hospices, Respites, Assisted Living Facilities because they are given to the residents. Most of this age group when they were young adults and working people had a Toddy after work before dinner and wine sometimes w/ a meal. They are used to having it around. Some residents are even ordered an afternoon Toddy so it will spike an appetite in them for dinner if they are not eat ting well. It is offered at lunch and dinner in many facilities. The men may have a beer and pizza to watch a Game on TV as part of an Activity program on a Sunday afternoon . This is a fact. As long as the MD knows about it and has no issues with any drug interactions, they will give an order. It is permissible and usually in small amounts however. The risk is for those at home to use it to escape as many are very depressed about their last days and are alcoholics sadly. They are in danger of interactions as most MD's don't know they drink or how much. She may have asked for one. If she is Demented (has Dementia) chances are she won't remember asking about it for very long and the situation will blow over. This however must not be kept in secret--it puts everyone in jeopardy for her health as well as the medical team at a loss to help her if there is a reaction since they won't know what is going on and delays can be deadly. There must be communication w/ the MD for his/her permission to allow it and if not--follow the order for her sake. Non-alcoholic beer still has some alcohol in it but might be allowed instead for the taste not the buzz. It isn't the Nurse that gives the orders--it is the MD's

Answer 3

Tablets and alcohol do not help with anxiety definitely not alcohol as you can become addicted and become an alcoholic and it can ruin your health. Tablets also do the same thing as well as they have side effects.

How you can treat and deal with anxiety or stress is by doing the following things like:

1)Try Counselling and therapy first

2)
Then try Yoga and meditation and
Relaxation exercises

3) Try having a body massage and a nice hot bath

4) Do not drink too much tea coffee and alcohol and do not smoke give up smoking completely

5) Try having herbal teas as they are light and delicious and can help as well.

6)Try listening to relaxing peaceful music like classical music or natural sound music.

7)Eat a light meal not a heavy one

8)Take up a hobby like painting embroidery and flower arranging

9)Get plenty of exercise walking jogging running swimming play some squash.

10) Get plenty of rest and sleep

11) A little bit of retail therapy also helps as well treat yourself to something special

I hope this all helps good luck

Answer 4

THIS is very dangerous u can become even more addicted to alcohol than Ur mom did to pills maybe u should see a therapist they can help you come up with ways to relax and calm your self with out pills and alcohol, alcohol will just make your anxiety worse in the long run and before u know it u will need that substance to function on a daily and normal kind of thing. good luck!

Answer 5

By using Alcohol like this is leaving you vulnerable to becoming an alcoholic over the years. Go and see a doctor - alcohol could be making you worse instead of better. If he prescribes pills you shouldnt be afraid to take them - the ones your mum was put on will be very very different from the ones available today. My husband was just like you and wouldnt take any pills for years - however he eventually found a good GP who explained about the illness and the cure in detail, he took the pills and hasnt looked back since. Please give it a go - you wont find answers in the bottom of a bottle xxxx

Answer 6

Its already dangerous. You have an addiction. You have a dependency on alcohol. Having a dependency on say Xanax would probably be better on your body, specifically your liver. Having a drink while your out with friends is fine (though I don't suggest having a drink before you get to the pub/club - you're going out to have fun.. think about your friends, and how much fun you are having with them, not about your anxiety), but finding yourself drunk more often than not.... you've got a problem hon!

Answer 7

Keep it just for going out. Alcohol can cause panic attacks more frequently and there could come a time when the only way you feel you can control them is to have a drink.Alcohol dependensy is far worse you're Mum's tablets.
I am a veteran of all of this and have been to hell and back.
I'm not saying quit drinking just take it easy.

Answer 8

Hey,Babe-I am in the EXACT same predicament,man.It ent good atall.I won't even go to the shop without having a few drinks inside me,which is ironic as that is the reason I venture out...to go t the shop and get booze.Tablets are a wee bit dodgy but I was thinking of getting some BETA BLOCKERS as they chill You out and stop You being nervous apparantly.Smoking waccy baccy DOESN'T help.Trust.............

Answer 9

You are an addict, and the daughter of an addict.

It's harsh to hear, but you need to understand the road you are on is dangerous, and you need to get off it. The good news is, there are places out there that will help. One of the best is AA, here is their website:

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Please get help. If you don't feel comfortable with the AA approach, you will probably find there are addiction agencies in your area that will offer counselling. Your local library or GP surgery should have details.

Answer 10

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?