Hey all. As some of u may knoe, iv struggled with multiple addictions over the last several years. Next month will be 8 years alcohol free, however, I still feel like im missing out on the joy of being truly free.. if that makes sense. During these last 8 years I’ve smoked weed, vaped and smoked nicotine , and have struggled with acting out sexually.. well the last week or so my panic attacks have been coming at me with full force. Why? Because i have terrible health anxiety but am too damn afraid to go to the doctor. Well, I finally got a new psychiatrist who thinks I may have some bipolar or manic depressive tendencies. Iv started a new med and the last few days iv been really thinking about my life.
I only have this one chance to live my best life.
I need to buckle up and face my fears like a grown ass adult and stop letting my anxious feelings rule my thoughts.
Im going to an aa meeting tonight for the first time in years. Im going to lay it all out on the line and just let it all out.
Sorry for the rambling but this forum helped me greatly my first few years then I kinda fell off thinking I had this all in the bag. Well I didnt. And I dont know if I ever will. But here’s to trying something new. Time to let go of all my past worries and focus on what I can do for myself in the future.
Sending calming vibes
It’s great that you come here and share, that you take action to cope better and look into the issues. That’s healthy adult behaviour
I too struggle with anxiety again lately. For me the heat and summer depression trigger it, a well known pattern, same every year. I upped my antidepressants (like every year, discussed with my psychiatrist) and it starts to get better. Will take a while though. I also have a close look at my sleeping routines as restful sleep resp. lack of it is a major source of feeling off.
Keep us posted, a burden shared is a burden halfed.
Hey there, good to see you again, but sorry about the panic and continued substance abuse. It is hard to get to the root of it, I know. Glad you are back and looking for ways to tackle the stuff that rolls around in our psyches. Believe in yourself, Steve, you can do this.
This was me too. I was afraid of what they might find and tell me and that I need to make life changes. That was a scary proposition. Since I stopped drinking 911 days ago, I decided to bite the bullet and get checked out. I’m so glad I did. I didn’t realize how much anxiety I was causing myself worrying about seeing a doctor.
I hope you get to feeling better. You’re not alone. Hang in there.
Good to see you, Steve. To be real, I had an accident with a traumatic brain injury almost three years ago. For that reason, I get panic and anxiety attacks I can’t control. What I have learned is knowing when they are coming can help me control them. So, I hope you do know how and when they are coming AND that your psychiatrist is helpful in that way.
I am looking forward to hearing how the AA meeting works(ed) for you.
Thanks all. Iv been going back to AA. No more weed but not ready to quit the nicotine quite yet..
Im doing this for my own self this time around and not to look like im doing better than anyone else if that makes sense. And I feel its making a big difference. I struggle being honest. Iv always been a good liar. But lying to myself always ends terribly.
