oxyaddict05
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2007
- Messages
- 168
For those who don't wish to read the whole thread, here is the short version of my question: Is it possible to experience "mild" alcohol physical withdrawal symptoms after drinking 18-21 beers a week (spread out pretty evenly) over the course of 5 weeks?
As a former heroin and cocaine addict, and as a current psych/neuroscience major, I know a thing or two about those substances and their associated addictions. What I know almost nothing about (aside from the academic) is alcohol. I started drinking and smoking weed again about 2.5 years ago, when I felt I had enough sobriety to go back to being "normal" (with the obvious exception of 100% avoiding all other drugs - especially opiates).
This was my senior year, so I drank a lot more than usual this last month. I would say I averaged 2-4 beers about 4-5 nights a week for the last 5 weeks. For the good part of the year before this, I drank maybe one beer every 2 months, if not less. I stuck only to beer and malt liquor, and probably averaged 18-21 drinks a week, but on a consistent and steady rate for 5 weeks.
This last week, I have gotten 4 panic attacks. I used to get them in high school, which was about 8 years ago, but I haven't really had any since then. The nights I did get them this last week were also nights that I did not do any drinking. On the days when I did get the attacks, I had a general and more mild feeling of hypertension, chest tightness, and other physical anxiety symptoms which lasted a good part of the day (which I know can also be residual effects of a panic attack).
So naturally, I am concerned that the alcohol played a role (specifically mild physical withdrawal). The panic attacks were all very physical in nature (palpitations, hypertension, chest pain/tightness, weakness, dizziness, tingling extremities, ect.) As such, the anxiety during these attacks was mostly based on the fear that it was heart related.
This is also a transition period in my life which is quite stressful. However, I consider myself to be pretty good at dealing with stress, so I am reluctant to blame the attacks and general physical-symptoms of anxiety on that alone.
I would really appreciate to hear what you all think. Especially those who have had first hand experience with alcohol withdrawal, (or even better, mild- withdrawal + unrelated general anxiety that doesn't typically cause panic attacks).
The last thing I want is another addiction, so I am going to stop all alcohol consumption until I can get a better idea of what is going on. Doctors, studies, and e-how are great and all, but there is nothing like first hand experience, so I came here first
As a former heroin and cocaine addict, and as a current psych/neuroscience major, I know a thing or two about those substances and their associated addictions. What I know almost nothing about (aside from the academic) is alcohol. I started drinking and smoking weed again about 2.5 years ago, when I felt I had enough sobriety to go back to being "normal" (with the obvious exception of 100% avoiding all other drugs - especially opiates).
This was my senior year, so I drank a lot more than usual this last month. I would say I averaged 2-4 beers about 4-5 nights a week for the last 5 weeks. For the good part of the year before this, I drank maybe one beer every 2 months, if not less. I stuck only to beer and malt liquor, and probably averaged 18-21 drinks a week, but on a consistent and steady rate for 5 weeks.
This last week, I have gotten 4 panic attacks. I used to get them in high school, which was about 8 years ago, but I haven't really had any since then. The nights I did get them this last week were also nights that I did not do any drinking. On the days when I did get the attacks, I had a general and more mild feeling of hypertension, chest tightness, and other physical anxiety symptoms which lasted a good part of the day (which I know can also be residual effects of a panic attack).
So naturally, I am concerned that the alcohol played a role (specifically mild physical withdrawal). The panic attacks were all very physical in nature (palpitations, hypertension, chest pain/tightness, weakness, dizziness, tingling extremities, ect.) As such, the anxiety during these attacks was mostly based on the fear that it was heart related.
This is also a transition period in my life which is quite stressful. However, I consider myself to be pretty good at dealing with stress, so I am reluctant to blame the attacks and general physical-symptoms of anxiety on that alone.
I would really appreciate to hear what you all think. Especially those who have had first hand experience with alcohol withdrawal, (or even better, mild- withdrawal + unrelated general anxiety that doesn't typically cause panic attacks).
The last thing I want is another addiction, so I am going to stop all alcohol consumption until I can get a better idea of what is going on. Doctors, studies, and e-how are great and all, but there is nothing like first hand experience, so I came here first
