I’ve noticed I drink to quiet my anxiety, then feel more anxious the next day and want another drink to take the edge off. It’s a pretty miserable loop.
I’m trying to interrupt it by keeping alcohol out of the house and doing something physical when the urge hits, even if it’s just walking around the block. The hardest part is the evening, when everything gets quiet and my thoughts get louder. I’m also looking into therapy and support groups because trying to manage this alone hasn’t worked very well.
For anyone who’s dealt with this cycle, what helped you get through the first few weeks?
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The evening was the roughest part for me too. Once the day slowed down, my brain seemed to turn the volume up. A walk helped some, but having a set plan after dinner worked better than trying to figure it out while anxious. Shower, food, a show, then bed at a reasonable time.
Keeping alcohol out of the house is a good move. I’d also tell someone what you’re doing so you’re not handling the urge in secret. Therapy or a support group can take some of the pressure off, especially if the anxiety gets intense. if you’ve been drinking heavily, stopping suddenly can be risky, so it’s worth talking with a doctor about doing it safely.
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The set plan after dinner makes a lot of sense. I’ve found that deciding what comes next before the anxiety starts leaves less room for bargaining with myself. A shower and a familiar show can make the evening feel more manageable.
The warning about stopping suddenly is helpful too. People can underestimate the risks, so checking with a doctor seems wise, especially if drinking has been heavy or daily. I’m going to think about who I can tell, since keeping it secret definitely makes the urges feel bigger.
@Marcus_Smith, the set plan after dinner is a good idea. I’ve noticed that unstructured evenings give my brain too much room to negotiate, so having the next few steps already decided can help.
I once texted a friend before the urge got strong and told him I was trying not to drink that night. Just knowing someone might check in made it harder to quietly talk myself into it.