Self-medicating with alcohol - Anxiety Message Board

LonelyTraveler · 06-09-2006, 10:18 PM

Hi

I am a long-time GAD/Panic/OCD/Hypochondria sufferer who self-medicated with alcohol for over a year and a half before becoming sober for about a year only to relapse and end up becoming a full-blown alcoholic before quitting again about 10 days ago. Now here's my question...

Prior to quitting drinking this time around, I had been drinking a 6-pack to a case almost every day and I was always so blissfully drunk or hungover that I forgot all about my anxiety to the point where I almost did'nt know it ever existed. However, since becoming sober again, my anxiety has gradually crept back and this evening after a cup of coffee, I was a quivering bundle of nerves and my anxiety was through the roof!.

Still, I would NEVER go back to drinking alcohol again because there are much more appropriate ways of dealing with anxiety but I do want to ask...can caffeine trigger anxiety/panic attacks?. Ever since that cup of coffee, it feels like I have a lump in my throat and it kind of clicks when I swallow and also I kind of nervous and jittery and find myself thinking about various diseases I might have (the worst ones, of course).

Well, I guess that's about it for now. Thank's for the help.

- LT

NitroChic · 06-09-2006, 11:21 PM

Hey Lonely..... My hubby has Anxiety attacks....he has to avoid caffeine completely... He says it feels as though his head will explode....I would imagine anything that is a stimulant would not be good for your issues.. STAY STRONG!!!!

cloverdaze · 06-10-2006, 02:04 AM

Yeah, definitely. I am having that vibratey/nervous electricity/jolty feeling right now. I just realized I drank a bunch of caffeine earlier. Though it's been like 6 hours...I think it's still bothering me. It's weird, sometimes I can get a drink from Starbucks and be fine, but other times it makes me incredibly nervous. Good job on quitting drinking. I need to do the same.

pulltab · 06-10-2006, 08:50 AM

Caffiene and any stimulant will defanitely bring out anxiety since it is a drug that effects your central nervous system it can really mess with your anxiety.

hry33 · 06-10-2006, 09:48 AM

caffiene effectys everyone differently and does cause panic attacks for some, if so red bull and other energy drinks must be completely avoided