I’ve been going out a lot lately and drinking more than I should. The next day, I end up feeling really anxious because I can’t remember some of the things I did or said. After a rough night out, I’ve decided to stop altogether. I’m just wondering how others have coped with this kind of anxiety because it’s really getting to me right now.
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I know the feeling, and the way I dealt with it was by the way you are dealing with it now. Which is to stop altogether. Which guarantees we will never have to deal with feeling this shitty again. Welcome to Talking Sober Camila. You’ve come to a great place for support, a safe place to share your feelings and thoughts, a place to learn, to support and to be supported in your journey towards a better healthier life and you. You’re not alone as you have us now. Welcome again and all success to you!
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Hi!! I definitely can understand how you’re feeling - take a few deep breaths; what can you do right now to make changes? What happened has happened, and you can’t change the past - so what can you do to move forward?
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In early sobriety I think it’s important to remember that many people experienced what you’re experiencing! It’s a major change to your body to choose to not put poison in it anymore and that comes with physical and mental effects. The important thing to do is keep working your process, and work through it bit by bit you don’t have to tackle everything all at once. Not everyday is going to feel great, but the good news is the further you get into sobriety the better you feel at least in my experience. I had anxiety and regret a lot early on and physically I itched a lot when I quit drinking. But as the days wore on my body and my mind adjusted and I started sleeping so much better and now I don’t even really feel much anxiety or regret because I’ve accepted my past and use it as a tool to continue on my journey and remind me why I choose to not drink. Keep connected on here this app got me through those first days and weeks and helped me feel connected to people who really understand.
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I hope you really do stay sober, but I have spent maybe 7-8 years on this ride. In my 20s I did what you did, have some scary blackouts or do something stupid and swear it off.
In my early 30s it got worse. Every week was go out, often alone, and get very drunk. Then spend 1-2 days in bed, half sick and half paranoid of what I did or could have done.
It was weird, nobody was like “you need to quit.” It’s so normalized.
I’ve consumed every book, been on every forum, many AA meetings, did therapy. To summarize what worked best, I had to really dig at why I needed alcohol to have fun, why I was okay risking my life and wasting it in bed.
Ultimately it’s made me a better person, but if I have any advice, if you cave and keep doing it, very likely gets worse or something truly bad happens. I’m damn lucky in that regard.
If you keep getting drawn to booze it’s a major major red flag.
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Oh feel you here! I found understanding some of the physiological " why" helped with hangxiety . Makes it hard when my go to for being stressed or anxious was to drink and numb it away but it then creates more anxiety and re learning some different coping tools.
People have different go to tools from following a programme etc.
Ive gone with mix of approaches as AA has alot of things i dont gel with so take what works along with other approaches. Im very much in the im unable to ever drink moderately so sober is my chosen path.
Exercise, journalling, sober contacts, just get out but mostly i ensure I’ve got things set up that dont take alot of steps( free online art class/retreat, podcasts,enjoyable tasks, exercise)
Best of luck !
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The anxiety is the worst part of withdrawal. It does go away though but your mind takes longer to heal from being poisoned than your body. Hang in there!!! I’m 5 years sober and it’s so worth it!
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That anxiety can be soul crushing, i feel for you! Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself. If there one thing in particular that bothering you, maybe you can just ask the people you were out with? Just take a breather and a day to yourself. It will be ok, and should you go on the journey of sobriety, you will find a very supportive and caring community here! Sending you positive vibes 
I’m just curious about your free art course. I am trying to change some things this year. I generally want to be healthier so I’m going to try and meditate every day for one thing. I would love to do some art every day to be more creative. I would appreciate any information about the art class you are taking. I joined an urban sketching group on Facebook for one thing. Im definitely giving up alcohol for January and hopefully longer. Thank you!
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Not sure if the query was to me regarding artcourse?
So a couple im doing are
Woman Unleashed on-line retreat ( heaps of varying stuff from art to body soul. Mix of approaches so some stuff will resonate other’s not at all)
Tamara Laporte has variety of free taster sessions or ive just signed up for the year long one( think of all the money i spend on booze, food and being off work it this is cheap!)
Ida Lang offers quite a few feee drawing classes.
Angela Murray Live life with Colour has a 6 week offering.
I find theres heaps of free taster courses and art,jpurnaling etc has been key to my sobriety!
Yes! Thank you very much. I am interested in taking some art classes too. I need to get more involved with some hobbies to get my mind focused on something positive. Otherwise at times I get bored and can end up drinking a bottle of wine. I don’t metabolize it like I used to and don’t get quality sleep. Also my anxiety and self loathing is pretty bad after I overdo it.
I go to a knitting group on Sundays but, get this, they meet at a local brew pub for Hanks and Hops. I live in Wisconsin and drinking is so normalized here. I am meditating more. My goal is once a day. I go to yoga, too, on weekdays and that really helps.
I can’t wait to check out your suggestions!
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Its interesting how many thing’s normalise alcohol when youre doing recovery! Be some wonky kniiting at that group 
Totally hear you on the boredom front although on reflection drinking gin i wasnt exactly doing anything thrilling just numbed and getting that liquid dopamine.
Im a jigsaw feind but the art lessons im hoping to get anchored in and just bought a bike so i can get outside and pootle around
Oh and link for some free testers
Besides the health benefits quitting drinking has made waking up in the morning so much more enjoyable because of those reasons; no more dreading looking at my phone to see if i sent something i regret, no more trying to rehash the night to see if i did something wrong. It is a great way to live.
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