Alcohol and anxiety

[Amiee89]

I went on a caravan holiday last week. And I drank around three pints of becks larger every night while in the pub. I have always suffered health anxiety and I had a few hangovers here and there. My question is. Will that much alcohol affect my health. It was only for the week. Now I'm home I don't drink often at all. And I won't be drinking like that until next year when I go away.
Since I've been back i have had bad anxiety tremors and shaking. And a few times where I have been breathless.
Also I have a very horsey voice in the morning
Am I going to be okay?

[persephonedemeter]

Hi Aimee. Here is my perspective, and I hope you don't mind me saying something here.

It sounds like you take care of yourself conscientiously, and do sensible things like asking your doctor if it was okay, before you went on caravan holiday, I would ask my psychiatrist before  I go to parties,events, outdoor activities and special occasion dinners, if it was okay to sip or have a glass of alcohol that I am very tempted to have.  In the past and when we were having difficulties trying to stabilize me with psych meds, he absolutely forbade drinking alcohol ic beverages. Like you, I hardly drink and very rarely do I crave or want alcohol. I prefer coffee when I feel the need for a "drink," so I don't consider myself an alcoholic. When I go camping or do outdoor activities like boating, hiking up a mountain, skiing or fishing, I really enjoy having a pint of beer afterwards, because it just taste particularly good afterward, especially in good company, Annual caravan  holidays are included.

When I finally became reasonably stabilized for a few years, i remeber the first time I told  my psychiatrist if I can have a cocktail and a glass of wine with my meals  at a very special dinner party at a very special restaurant with people I dearly love, I expected him to say no, but he actually said it was okay. After years of seeing him, he knew I did not have npr was I inclined to  drug dependency issues. He also knew that I drink for taste, not really for effect. I love cooking and entertaining,  and I enjoy exploring food and drink by pairing or tasting. It is just part of my culture and my family. Much the same way as it is for you and your family with caravaning.

There was only one time when I felt the effects of alcohol after drinking on one occasion, which was when it was a five course meal paired with different kinds of wines and alcoholic drinks, which I enjoyed and I realized I was under the influence. I did have a mild hangover the next day, and I also realized I was depressed. I wasn't depressed before for a long time, so I knew it was the alcohol doing that. I just made a note of it, took care of myself by drinking a lot of water and eating well. It only took me that day to recover physically, but the depression took 3 days to get over. Alcohol is a depressant. When you are drinking, it feels nice, but afterwards, the depression hits.

Probably, the next time, don't have 3 pints of lager every night during caravan. . You already know now, it affects and tailspins the health anxiety you have. In between, you need to keep yourself hydrated with water and eat well. Your are different from other fanily members, because you have a psych disorder, being anxiety, and since you asked your doctor if it was okay, you already knew alcohol was likely to affect you badly. I think your doctor wasn't expecting you to have 3 pints every night during holiday. Having a hangover a cpuple pr a few times, well, that pretty much indicated that you overdid the drinkng, Try sticking to one pint and sipping on it, and not with every meal. It's something you have to figure out, since you basically have plenty of time to do so until next year. As for the pub during holiday, get the half pint and sip, and order a glass of water or something nonalcoholic to go with it so you don't feel emptyhanded. You can also talk to your doctor and ask him if 3 pints a night every night was okay, with the way it is affecting you now, and see what s/he says. However, with your question and what you are worried about, I think you already know that you will have to adjust the drinking amount during holiday. I'm glad you had an enjoyable caravan, but not so glad you are feeling out of sorts afterwards. The easiest thing would be to lower the alcohol consumption during caravaning. The hardest thing would be having to deal with what you are. going theough now with the health anxiety, worries, work, expense, time and energy spent on being thrown off by it every year.

[Amiee89]

I never drink at all there's a long story behind it... But when I was on holiday enjoying myself I had around three pints a night. It wasn't just me. My husband and all my family were drinking as well. It was all part of the fun.

Yes I take medication. But before I went on holiday I asked my gp if it was safe and he said yes. Because I am on a very very low doseage.
And I am already in therapy too. I see a cbt therapist.
I am always anxious. Shaking ect.
But I just wanted to know if I was going to be okay off all the alcohol consumed.
Got a bit worried about it since I never drink that much ever.
I only ever drink on special occasions like my birthday or Xmas.
But because I was on my holidays I wanted to enjoy. And relax and be apart of the atmosphere.
Be a long long time befor I ever drink like that again.
I just wanted to know I was going to be okay ..

[RubyWitch]

If this is the truth about your drinking, then that amount of alcohol will not affect your health..........but what you did pretty much adds up to binge drinking and that is really unhealthy.

If you take medication for your anxiety, you shouldn't be drinking at all, but I don't do lectures.

If you are NOT being treated for your anxiety, I strongly suggest you see your doctor for a complete physical in light of the symptoms you've described and to get a referral to a good therapist.

I'm sure you'll be fine but you cannot ignore these symptoms or your anxiety.
I wish you the best
RubyWitch