Dry January
@Rubycrystalsx
Yes, I have seen a link between higher consumption of alcohol and an increase in anxiety and impatience. If you can get through January without medicating (and alcohol is really a form of self-medicating), then you will definitely have more energy, feel cleaner, and be more balanced. Your sleep will likely improve too, which could benefit the anxiety.
Over the years, I have seen different ideas on whether or not alcohol is helpful for people. I think it largely depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and the person's reaction to alcohol. Many people have died in alcohol-related accidents, including my best friend from childhood, who was in a drunk driving related accident. Yet, if other drugs were illegal like alcohol, I suspect we'd see similar trends.
Ultimately, you would be much healthier abstaining from alcohol for a month, but if that was your mechanism for helping to unwind or deal with extreme situations, you're going to be caught under much more stress without a mechanism in place to help alleviate the reason people start drinking alcohol in the first place.
@Darkseed
It relaxes me in the evening which is when I usually get a panic attack, but I'm starting to think that the alcohol is causing me more severe anxiety so I'm in a vicious cycle last night I didn't drink my anxiety was so bad I was shaking panicking an sick but I got through the night I don't want to drink everynight so I plan to cut it out am scared about this evening but can't have a drink or I start it all over again :/
@Rubycrystalsx
Yes, I think I drink alcohol because of the anxiety as well, but too much simply tries my patience, zaps sleep and makes me more anxious the next day. There are over the counter herbs that might help such as Kava Kava, Valerian Root, or even St. John's Wort. I find the Kava Kava can relax me, the Valerian can scatter my thoughts (so that it's easier to relax, and my mind doesn't focus on the same mindnumbing anxiety), and St. John's Word, well, it helps some people, but it doesn't really do much for me. Benadryl can be helpful is small quantities (like the generic 25mg).
@Darkseed
Thanks for suggesting them but i won't take anything as I'm a health anxiety one too lol so I will think these pills are doing things to me etc (I no its silly) I've not had a drink tonight and been ok calm and ready for bed feeling tired so fingers crossed if I don't drink again I won't have any more panics I definitely think the next day after a drink is the worst!!? Are you going to try cut it then ?
