How do you explain this?

[searching_for_answers]

Hi everyone

After going 2-1/2 days without any alcohol, today is my birthday (I'm 44) and I decided to have a beer. The reason I decided to have a beer was'nt because it was my birthday but rather because when I'm not drinking, I don't feel like "myself" anymore and my mind feels "dull", "foggy" or "anesthetized" as if someone injected novacane into my brain. I put up with this feeling as long as I could but I just felt so absolutely unmotivated that I figured I would have a few beers. When I drink, I feel great. Heck, with a few beers in me, I can cook a 7-course gourmet meal, paint an entire house and host a party for 50 like it was nothing but when I'm sober, I basically just feel like a robot on "auto-pilot" and I have a difficult time doing much of anything. Of course, the way I feel may be cause by my underlying anxiety/OCD/depression issues too.

I figure, the way things have been going and because I tend to quit for a day or two when the booze gets to be too much for me that I can probably cut down from drinking every day to just having a 6-pack a few times each week. At least that's the way it's kind of been working out.

Well, I can't think of much else to say at the moment. Can anyone relate to any of this?. Please feel free to provide your input and thank's again to all of you!.

- SFA

 

[full_of_faith]

I haven't in your position, but it sounds like Alcoholics Anonymous may be able to help you. Here is the link to their website: http://www.aa.org

 

[If Not For Grace]

Alcohol is a great deceiver. When you drink you are in a fog (thus the term intoxicated)of course when you attempt to come out of the fog it will be foggy. This is the beginning of normal.

Perhaps you have been in an abnormal situation so long till it seems normal. The same thing happens with abuse and all negativity. We just get so used to it till it seems wrong to experience anything else.

Start with the Serenity Prayer. You already know you need to quit..LET GOD help you do it.

 

[tommyt]

Hey!

I'm in the same situation. I have no drive to do anything and I have been sober for around 10 months now. I have been this way the entire time but it is gradually getting better. I am assuming that you have been drinking for a long time....
Your brain and lifestyle has adapted to alcohol and your life was revolving around it. Now, that you are trying to change, it is going to be difficult for the simple fact that you are in essence changing not only your drinking habits but yourself as a whole. It takes alot of time. Cutting back on the drinking is an improvement but as long as you keep drinking, you are going to have this feeling when you are sober and it is only going to get worse.

At least that is what from my understanding through what I have gone through.

 

[spdnet75]

Dyanm is right. What you think of as feeling like yourself, is nothing but an illusion.

It often takes between 6 weeks and six months of being dry for your mind to heal up and start working normally again.

It can be unnerving as well. For a few weeks I would see things out of the corner of my eye and hear things that weren't happening. You should also prepare to have some of the most bizarre and disturbing dreams you've ever experienced.

It's hard stuff. I recommend AA and one on one counseling. Admitting that I was powerless to alcohol was difficult until my doctor told me that I would be dead in 5 - 10 years if I didn't stop.

Good luck and take care.

 

[Shannonkish]

Searching,

I think the "not feeling like yourself" is part of the withdrawl. It sounds like you have a psychological and chemical addiction to alcohol. I would seek support from your local AA chapter or a Celebrate Recovery chapter at your local church.

The feeling will go away with time, however, due to the fact that you have an addiction, your body is not used to being without alcohol in its system.

 

[domino35]

Im new to CF, so I couldnt have seen your post much earlier. Your answer is in your very own message. You suffer from depression. Alcohol has been your self-prescribed means of medicating yourself so that you can avoid the pangs of depression which stiffle yourself when not imbibiing. Suggest you see a doctor about the depression. Address the depression with other medications so that you avoid the additional problems of alcoholism. You are a prosperous individual who needs help with depression; but dont attempt solving it on your own by using alcohol. Am praying for you brother.

 

[EbonNelumbo]

I can completely relate to that. I tried to stop drinking and I was drinking hard too, not beer, only Crystal Springs everclear, which is 190 proof and illegal in several states and countries because of it's magnitude.

I would convince myself I wouldn't drink, id get DT's, drink a little, then not, then stay sober, then only say I'd drink one shot, and end up downing 7 and so on and so forth.

It was literally only the grace of God, a few friends of mine and a wakeup call of coming to in a hospital after having gone unconscious from alcohol poisoning on April 26th and nearly, literally, dying, that I am here now without alcohol. I wish you the best.

 

[IronWarrior]

I felt what you are feeling! about 5 years ago.. it takes a while for your body/mind to adjust to living without alcohol on a regular basis! It took me a good 6 months without alcohol to become 'normal'..lol but it does get alot better! and you only become stronger as time passes! trust me! best advice is to get involved with your work or a hobby and have faith in god and live a 'clean' life! god bless!

 

[Mskedi]

It sounds like withdrawal to me... Have you thought about getting help quitting?

 

[Ruth~]

Searching for answers: I can totally relate to you. I was drinking and also trying to control it most of the time. I thought I liked myself better when I drank. But I did some of the stupidest things that got me in trouble. I also shouldn't have been drinking with medication. Don't know if you are on medication but if so we are not supposed to drink with it. It can really be lethal. A change in medicine made me feel better. I felt like a zombie on Prozac. Lexapro makes me feel more alive. I hope this helps some. Good luck to you.

 

[dallasapple]

Hey,

I hope you are doing o.K. I was just gonna tell ya Im a beer drinker. And I too can relate to feeling "normal" after 2 or 3.I have more energy and am more creative.The problem is you dont stop. For me anyway.3 turns to 5 and to 7 and to 9.And I definietely do NOT function better then.

One thing that gets overlooked INHO is becuase of the draining affects of alcohol basically we are nutrient deprived. I looked up info on the net and among other things like being dehydrated and and sleep deprived(we dont get deep sleep when alcohol is in our systmem) we are depleated in certain vitamins and minerals.

One of the most notable I believe is vitamin b-1(thiamine). Look it up. The symptoms of b-1 deficeincy are pretty noatable.Mental confusion,muscle weakness,difficulty conentrating,poor coordination,depression etc.

So when you stop drinking even for a few days you feel the effects of the deficiency.When you drink it brings on a feeling of well being and "percieved" energy when in fact its false.Your body is really weak but the alcohol covers that up and you are running on alchohol.

That is why you feel so bad as it leaves your system.Talk to your Dr. about taking supplements.But b-1 (thiamine) is found in plenty of food sources.Wheat,legumes,nuts,meat,and fish.,whole grain and so on.Even if we are eating O.K while drinking the alcohol drains the nutrients out of us.And typically drinkers do not eat right in the first place.Either they dont eat enough or they eat high fat high sugar becasue alcohol causes cravings for junky food.So its a double whammy. KWIM Jelly bean.

And b1 deficiency is just one of the factors in the condition of a heavy drinker.Its just one of the ones that is usually universal in all.

Blessings

Dallas