insert clever name
Greenlighter
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2018
- Messages
- 21
Hello,
I found this forum fairly recently and decided to join. I need support and thought this might be a way to obtain it. Here's my story: Since I was about 16 (I'm 32 now), I've been an alcohol abuser. I've had social anxiety for basically all of my life, so this was a way to escape that. Even so, even if I wasn't at a social event, I would occasionally drink by myself, even at that young age. I'm guessing it was a way to escape myself and my anxieties. Now, fast forward to 32, and I'm still a heavy drinker. I don't drink everyday, but at least 3-4 times a week, and sometimes I go on benders where I am hungover, then drink a little to get rid of it and basically just keep drinking for days. This almost caused me to lose my job. After these little spells, I'll cut back slightly on my drinking, but I don't know how to stop and sometimes it just doesn't feel that important, even though I do know that I have a problem. It can be easy to put that part out of my mind.
I've also been on a benzo for about 6 years for my social anxiety, along with some generalized anxiety, and low level depression. I am on a low dose (about 45 pills/month), as needed, but I know that I am addicted, psychologically and physically, to these things. Any kind of social engagement - I take these pills, and sometimes the thought of having to go without scares me. I am due to start a new job soon, and switching psychiatrists and I am scared to get through life without these, sadly.
I've tried AD's, buspar, propranolol, you name it. I'm not a fan of AD's and mentally, I just don't think they work, none have worked for me and I hate the side effects. Recently, I was prescribed gabapentin for anxiety, 300 mg 3 X's/day. It seems to help a little bit - I feel more energetic and my craving for alcohol or benzo's has decreased. Although, I'm afraid of it no longer working since I know that tolerance builds quickly.
My feeling is what can work after benzo's? It seems that nothing will work as well.
Just wanted to share my story, I hope to connect with others, who have similar problems, or have gotten the monkey off their back. Thanks for reading
I found this forum fairly recently and decided to join. I need support and thought this might be a way to obtain it. Here's my story: Since I was about 16 (I'm 32 now), I've been an alcohol abuser. I've had social anxiety for basically all of my life, so this was a way to escape that. Even so, even if I wasn't at a social event, I would occasionally drink by myself, even at that young age. I'm guessing it was a way to escape myself and my anxieties. Now, fast forward to 32, and I'm still a heavy drinker. I don't drink everyday, but at least 3-4 times a week, and sometimes I go on benders where I am hungover, then drink a little to get rid of it and basically just keep drinking for days. This almost caused me to lose my job. After these little spells, I'll cut back slightly on my drinking, but I don't know how to stop and sometimes it just doesn't feel that important, even though I do know that I have a problem. It can be easy to put that part out of my mind.
I've also been on a benzo for about 6 years for my social anxiety, along with some generalized anxiety, and low level depression. I am on a low dose (about 45 pills/month), as needed, but I know that I am addicted, psychologically and physically, to these things. Any kind of social engagement - I take these pills, and sometimes the thought of having to go without scares me. I am due to start a new job soon, and switching psychiatrists and I am scared to get through life without these, sadly.
I've tried AD's, buspar, propranolol, you name it. I'm not a fan of AD's and mentally, I just don't think they work, none have worked for me and I hate the side effects. Recently, I was prescribed gabapentin for anxiety, 300 mg 3 X's/day. It seems to help a little bit - I feel more energetic and my craving for alcohol or benzo's has decreased. Although, I'm afraid of it no longer working since I know that tolerance builds quickly.
My feeling is what can work after benzo's? It seems that nothing will work as well.
Just wanted to share my story, I hope to connect with others, who have similar problems, or have gotten the monkey off their back. Thanks for reading