Aa
Am I addicted?
This is the first time I have admitted to anyone let alone myself I might have a problem.
I started having panic attacks over a year ago due to a divorce, job change, move etc. My dr. prescribed Diazapham. It worked. But I also drink as well, probably 3-4 glasses of wine a night. I am now seeing a social worker and have an appointment with a psychatrist this week for meds. They currently put me on Prozac, which I can't take, makes me have terrible anxiety, tremors, sweats etc. Stopped taking at at once. I am also taking Zanax. 5mg once a day. It makes the panic subside but not for as long of periods of time as it did before. I am worried that the jitters I get are alcohol related as well. Is combining the 2 at such a low dose truly dangerous and how do I just stop drinking? I want to be able to have a glass of wine with friends but not every night.
Any suggestions? I am in a very lonely place right now and would appreciate the help.
I started having panic attacks over a year ago due to a divorce, job change, move etc. My dr. prescribed Diazapham. It worked. But I also drink as well, probably 3-4 glasses of wine a night. I am now seeing a social worker and have an appointment with a psychatrist this week for meds. They currently put me on Prozac, which I can't take, makes me have terrible anxiety, tremors, sweats etc. Stopped taking at at once. I am also taking Zanax. 5mg once a day. It makes the panic subside but not for as long of periods of time as it did before. I am worried that the jitters I get are alcohol related as well. Is combining the 2 at such a low dose truly dangerous and how do I just stop drinking? I want to be able to have a glass of wine with friends but not every night.
Any suggestions? I am in a very lonely place right now and would appreciate the help.
Hi LPB,
If you are taking 5mg of xanax a day, that is a pretty high dose. I'm thinking you probably mean you take .5 mg a day?
If you take it every day, when do you get the shaky feeling? Withdrawal from xanax does cause intense rebound anxiety, which is what you may be feeling.
I do believe you that you also have panic disorder. My heart goes out to you..that is a incredibly distressing and hard to live with. Have you done any reading about how to handle panic disorder with cognitive therapy? There is a great book about it, called "Don't Panic" (I forget the author) that is full of helpful info on how to handle panic symptoms and prevent them, without medication.
And yes..I do understand that feeling of wanting to stop but also not wanting to stop. It is a process, and just reaching out to us is a big step for you along the way to figuring out how you want to approach this. 12 step groups were never the right thing for me. I got clean due to the support of this forum, as well as individual therapy.
I hope you stay with us!
love,
WW
If you are taking 5mg of xanax a day, that is a pretty high dose. I'm thinking you probably mean you take .5 mg a day?
If you take it every day, when do you get the shaky feeling? Withdrawal from xanax does cause intense rebound anxiety, which is what you may be feeling.
I do believe you that you also have panic disorder. My heart goes out to you..that is a incredibly distressing and hard to live with. Have you done any reading about how to handle panic disorder with cognitive therapy? There is a great book about it, called "Don't Panic" (I forget the author) that is full of helpful info on how to handle panic symptoms and prevent them, without medication.
And yes..I do understand that feeling of wanting to stop but also not wanting to stop. It is a process, and just reaching out to us is a big step for you along the way to figuring out how you want to approach this. 12 step groups were never the right thing for me. I got clean due to the support of this forum, as well as individual therapy.
I hope you stay with us!
love,
WW
Hi there! I hope your hanging in there. From what I've found out here your possibly have some withdrawals. I believe the train of thought is that Zanax leaves the body very quickly. And seems to cause the very symptoms it's used to treat when it leaves your body.Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong.About that alone thing. Sometimes I just want to be alone. Isn't it weird how we want things we don't have. Although beit on a temporary basis. You also need to realize this is temporary. And you will make it thru. We'll be here to help.You've had a lot to deal with and now you have the perfect oppurtunity to take care of you. So snuggle down and do something you like for YOU.((((HUGS))))) SHotsy
Wow!
This is the first time I have ever participated in anything like this. I am so amazed at the kindness of others and how many others there are like me.
What do I want? Interesting you should ask. I just had (30 minutes ago) a session with my therapist. She truly believes I am very co-dependant. I have never been alone and the alcohol takes that loneless away at night. For the first time in my 34yrs. I am alone. When you drink you don't have to think. Somethings gotta give, ya know?
I am working on it but don't want to give it up. Catch 22, huh?
I do have a question if anyone knows. I know I have panic/anxiety disorder. Thats for sure. I have that creepy crawly feeling and tremor inside feeling (kind of like people who can't take antihistamines). Is that from not drinking? I am not taking a ton of the meds. Maybe 5mg of Zanax a day, (1 pill) and usually at night. I can't tell if its panic or not having the alcohol in my body? This is really scary stuff.
This is the first time I have ever participated in anything like this. I am so amazed at the kindness of others and how many others there are like me.
What do I want? Interesting you should ask. I just had (30 minutes ago) a session with my therapist. She truly believes I am very co-dependant. I have never been alone and the alcohol takes that loneless away at night. For the first time in my 34yrs. I am alone. When you drink you don't have to think. Somethings gotta give, ya know?
I am working on it but don't want to give it up. Catch 22, huh?
I do have a question if anyone knows. I know I have panic/anxiety disorder. Thats for sure. I have that creepy crawly feeling and tremor inside feeling (kind of like people who can't take antihistamines). Is that from not drinking? I am not taking a ton of the meds. Maybe 5mg of Zanax a day, (1 pill) and usually at night. I can't tell if its panic or not having the alcohol in my body? This is really scary stuff.
Yes, try by all means to heal yourself on your own. It is possible to do that for some. AA helped me for many years in so many ways, so don't block that approach out of your mind. If nothing else, talk with some people in AA over the phone.
You are taking benzos presently. They can be called "dry whiskey" by many who have had a problem with them. I assume you have a problem otherwise you would'nt be here posting questions. Your brain may be equating the benzos and alcohol as one and the same. That's the problem/dilemma you are facing now. You want this and yet you want that and on and on and on. What do you really want in life? Everything?
Sounds like bitter advise, doesn't it? Come back here again and let the "old pros" help you out. You'll meet many on your journey that can and will help you along the way.
J.B.
You are taking benzos presently. They can be called "dry whiskey" by many who have had a problem with them. I assume you have a problem otherwise you would'nt be here posting questions. Your brain may be equating the benzos and alcohol as one and the same. That's the problem/dilemma you are facing now. You want this and yet you want that and on and on and on. What do you really want in life? Everything?
Sounds like bitter advise, doesn't it? Come back here again and let the "old pros" help you out. You'll meet many on your journey that can and will help you along the way.
J.B.
thanks. that was quick. i do believe i might have a problem. yes, i have told my therapist. she wants me to go to AA. i am not ready for that, i want to try it on my own first. i think maybe, or certainly, the panic and drinking are just masking a lot of pain inside. i have never been alone in my life and am just divorced and live a long way from my family. i have gone from relationship to relationship and think having some form of drink, drug etc. has kept me from facing things. it's going to be a rough road. thank you from the bottom of my heart for responding to me. i wish you continued success as well.
LPB
LPB
Hi LPB, and welcome to the forum!
That took courage to post to us and admit that you've got a problem...congratulations. I remember when I made my first post. I am a hydrocodone addict, and with the help of this forum, I've been clean now for 3 months, after 5 years of abusing.
It is really good that you are seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist for help. Meds for panic disorder do help, a lot, but they can't "fix" the underlying cause of the panic disorder. a combination of meds along with good solid therapy can definately change the patterns that induce the panic disorder, so you are on the right track. If the prozac doesn't help, ask the Doc to try you on something else. Serzone is a newer med that helps both anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, and tends to not be as agitating. Maybe you could ask them about that.
To blunty answer your question...taking valium and xanax and drinking 3 to 4 glasses of wine a night does sound like a lot to me. Have you told you Doc and therapist yet? If they are any good, they won't judge you, but will try to help you learn to change the patterns of addictive behavior so you can feel like you have your life back.
Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
love,
WW
That took courage to post to us and admit that you've got a problem...congratulations. I remember when I made my first post. I am a hydrocodone addict, and with the help of this forum, I've been clean now for 3 months, after 5 years of abusing.
It is really good that you are seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist for help. Meds for panic disorder do help, a lot, but they can't "fix" the underlying cause of the panic disorder. a combination of meds along with good solid therapy can definately change the patterns that induce the panic disorder, so you are on the right track. If the prozac doesn't help, ask the Doc to try you on something else. Serzone is a newer med that helps both anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, and tends to not be as agitating. Maybe you could ask them about that.
To blunty answer your question...taking valium and xanax and drinking 3 to 4 glasses of wine a night does sound like a lot to me. Have you told you Doc and therapist yet? If they are any good, they won't judge you, but will try to help you learn to change the patterns of addictive behavior so you can feel like you have your life back.
Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
love,
WW
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