Hi, I’m new to the group and was wondering if anyone has or is going through the following anxiety issue. I’ve been sober for 10 days now 
. The problem is, that my anxiety has gone through the roof. I keep reliving all the bad, shameful, embarrassing ect… things that I have done throughout my drunken past, I’m not purposely sat digging these things up, they just pop up from out of nowhere. On waking in the morning, I feel total panic, the kind of panic you feel when you wake up from a binge and you’re like 
what did I do last night, how did I get home, what time did I get home ect, all this and not a drop to drink. It gets so bad at times I feel like I can barely breath. Has anyone else experienced this and is a normal part of recovery. Thanks for reading xxx
I havent Fargesia, as I’m new to this I’m still finding my was around this, but I’ll take a look, thanks
@Becsta, thank you so much for your positivity, what you’ve just replied makes perfect sense, I know it’s not going to be easy and I have a lot of work to do, but I’m now heading in the right direction. I never thought that my shameful past may act as a positive reminder to never return to booze and that behaviour. Thank again x
@Fargesia_murielae, thanks for the link, I’ll have a good look at them later today, thanks again, your a star 
I’m about an hour away from approaching 29 days away from my demon fetynol and may have a different substance but I can relate my gawdddddd with the anxiety the panic I literally felt like it was day to day dodging bullets and felt suffocated by it and u need to keep marching on and keep going and keep going after that and chase what u kno is urs ur freedom ur happiness and idk about u but I can’t go another day prisoner to this demon congrats to ur days and stepping up I couldn’t get past 10 days 14 days ect and felt so stuck and just now feeling I can do this I can escape this I’m with u in this sorry venting thanks l
It is very common, either as part of the recovery process or as an underlying condition that becomes clearer as sobriety progresses.
Either way there is a big cross over between sobriety and mental health recovery methods. Meditation and moving are the things that help my anxiety most. Anything that can keep you here now, and learn to accept those thoughts when they inevitably come up.
The longer you spend sober, the more new memories you will create and the less those old embarrassments will haunt you.
Not saying you’ll never do anything embarrassing while you’re sober 
but my experience after 2+ years is there hasn’t been anything on the same level as some of the highlights from my drunk reel.
I personally found really experiencing some of those feelings of shame and anxiety, almost holding on to them, helped me when I was first sober. Not to put myself down, more to remind myself “this is what happens when I drink”.
@John1990, thank you so much for your support, it means a lot . I’m nowon day 13, still crippled by anxiety and totally lacking in motivation but I’m standing strong and wont give in. I dont think lockdown is helping but even out and about you cant run away from yourself, wouldnt it be nice if you could, substance free of course. It’s good to know we’re in this together one crazy day at a time.congratulations on reaching your first month, you’re an inspiration and a comrade in this battle, well done you 
Yes. I struggle majorly with anxiety and alcohol only makes it worse for me. Sorry you are going through this as anxiety/panic are awful to del with. You are not alone.
@siand, thanks for your support, it’s made me look at my anxiety and shameful regrets in a different way, I never thought of them as being a strengthening tool a reminder of the " Joy’s " of drunkenness 
. Congratulations on the length of your sobriety, I look forward to the day I can say I’ve been AF for that long. I have meditated in the past but let it lapse, I will make a promise to you that I will start again, tonight, it’s been way to long.
Thanks again 
Thank u my gawd thank u lol I feel like I escaped a prison and I’m getting further and further away that obsession is no joke it owns me it will tell me when to jump and how high and demands attention I can’t pick up that one single time cuz it literally says to me congratulations u played urself again and manhandles me not today not no more al this chaos in the world doesn’t compare one tiny bit to the chaos of the madness of active addiction it hands down takes anyone to the grave or a ride to hell and I want off and this is battle and I won’t nd we can’t let it fool us for one second that it isn’t it’s death insanity ride to the bitter end or a new way and I’m not scared anymore I’m stepping that line lol venting hope it helps anyone that sees like helps me grab ur swords and keep marching cuz I’m not stopping I’m coming what’s mine!!!
Congrats on 10 days! Definitely understand what your going thru, stay strong one day at a time…I still experience anxiety, but I try and just let it flow thru my mind and not harbor on it…search anxiety there are plenty of great people here with more experience to share that will inspire you and lace you with tools to use. God bless
That’s it, we need to use these things as lessons as much as we can. There definitely is a line to find between understanding ourselves and dwelling on things in a way that’s unhelpful - again meditation/ mindfulness practice would help with that if it’s something you’re able to pick up again.
I haven’t been practicing regularly but could do with getting back into it myself. The motivation and meditation thread is amazing! Here is a link to the end of it, but there is lots of great stuff if you have some time to kill.