is drink becoming a problem for me

[bren969]

Im beginning to wonder if drink is getting the better of me.
My problem is that if i have a few glasses of wine i feel so much better in myself, physically and mentally.
I do suffer from depression and anxiety and im having councelling for the abuse i suffered as a child so ive got lots going on at the moment.
I suffer with lots of physical problems, i always feel achy and fluy but as soon as i get some alcohol inside me i then feel so much better, until i sleep it off then i feel bad again.
Im wondering if its because i feel much more relaxed after a drink but i know its not a good thing for me to keep doing, most days i cant wait until i get home to have a drink.
Im becoming addicted to this.... good feeling i suppose....is this a normal reaction when drink becomes a daily thing.x

[bren969]

I understand what you say Tink. My doc thought i had fibromylgia but my rhumatologist ruled it out without checking me over.
I just dont seem to be getting anywhere with finding a real diagnosis for the way i feel. It could be all down to my past and anxiety but docs in the uk dont do a lot. i get pushed around by them and dont get anywhere.
I just get very frustrated with the way i feel and to be able to have a few hours relief when ive had a drink feels so good.
But i know its not the answer and i am listening to what everybody says about alcohol and i really dont want to get to the point of no return, but its hard.
All i want from the docs is an answer to why i get so many physical symptoms,it could just be anxiety but they never tell me this, but if i know what it is then i can work with it.
I will read up on what youve said, it does make me wonder why all my symptoms go after a drink and it may help me understand so thanks so much for replying to me .X

[Tink70]

Ya know, I was doing some research yesterday and they are finally showing the link between dopamine receptors (your "feel good" and "no pain" areas in the brain) and addiction.  The achy feeling of say - fibromyalgia (and a good deal of alcoholics and drug addicts have fibromyalgia) is in turn a problem with your dopamine and GABA receptors. Alcohol stimulates these receptors. I would consider a full physical with a specialist cause if you keep going in the direction you are going - you are gonna have more than just an anxiety/pain problem.  And the alcohol is a double edged sword.  It actually makes things worse in the long run even though you feel good at first.  I speak from personal experience.
Good Luck
Tink

[uiees]

Stop drinking NOW!!  It is extremely easy to become addicted to alcohol, and once you are, you can never be cured.  You think you have problems now? You'll be totally screwed if you become an alcoholic.  Don't drink!  Ever!  For any reason!

[bren969]

THANKS so much for your replys. I suppose it was a bit of a silly question for me to ask as i sort of new the replys that i would get.
It really is a road that i dont want to go down but at the same time its an easy one when you want to escape from your feelings.
I am your age Narla, i left it a long time before i realised why i found life so hard.
I am taking on board everything that youve all said, and i know that you are all right in what you say and it is helping me to think. I know drink is not the answer, its just hard at the moment.
Thanks for replying to me you have helped me.X

[sograteful828]

i can certainly relate to your story. a few glasses of wine would make me feel better, at least i thought, does it really though?? i mean like you said when you wake up it is horrible, i remember that all too well. but we still do/did it anyway. for me personally, alcohol was an addiction, turned into it awful quick i might add. never thought it would happen to me. when you cant stop anymore, when you dont want to drink but cant stop, you know the answer.  like Rod said, the answer is simple but only you can answer it. the responses you recieved above are from people who know all too well, and they give great support and advice. take their responses to heart, they really care.

i hope you find the answers you are looking for, loke Rod said there are so many ways to enjoy life, alcohol contributes to the depression, you just dont think it at the time....cunning, baffling, powerful...that is alcohol

thanks for sharing...

[ibizan]

A very wise recovering alcoholic who was instrumental in helping me get in2 inpatient treatment for my alcoholism/drug addiction said to me years ago when i asked him if he thought i had a problem...if ur always wondering if its a problem then it is a problem!Narla and Rod have given u good advice...i hope u follow it!

[narla]

I also suffered abuse as a child,and used alcohol to fog my brain,when that wasn't working as well I added codeine to help,I eventually I became depressive with anxiety and panic attacks So my doctor who didn't know about the other substance abuse put me on zoloft an anti-depressant.So I was using all 3 that is what happens when you start drinking to try and suppress memories.You need to stop drinking now,,and deal with it now.Don't wait until your my age 47 it just gets harder.Does your counsellor know your are drinking every day,you need to be 100% honest with yourself and your counsellor.And yes it is a normal reaction to daily drinking I couldn't wait to get my first drink of an evening,I used to wait till 6.00pm eventually I'd start at 5.00pm.Please stop now.

[rod44]

The simple answer is only you can answer the question you ask….
but

Drinking for the reasons that you are drinking for is not good. Stop drinking…alcohol is a depressant and is going to add to your illness…. if you are on antidepressants or other meds then you should not be drinking. There are many other ways to have pleasure and fun in life…
Ray