Alcohol and anhedonia

[Pippa246]

Hi all. I’ve been doing a lot of journaling and reflecting on my drinking and I’ve been reading a bit about anhedonia - the inability to experience pleasure or joy - and am thinking I may have this to a degree.

There is a link with alcohol use disorder and I’m wondering if anyone else feels this way. Also - did the anhedonia lead to alcohol abuse (chasing a feel good factor) or did the AUD lead to the anhedonia?

Examples are that I just cannot find anything to do that really excites me! I’m travelling a lot, engaging in hobbies, seeing friends, taking exercise etc - but nothing really gives me the pleasure of drinking. I have an amazing trip booked next year that most people would love to do and outwardly I’m talking about my excitement but deep down inside I’m really just a bit meh.

I’m coming down on the side that alcohol has wrecked aspects of my brain chemistry and has probably caused the anhedonia but would be interested in what others think.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3089992/

More readable link here!
treehouserecoverypdx.com/emotional-flatlining-how-to-deal-with-anhedonia-3/

I haven't read this yet op but I will in the morning. Hope you're doing ok - I know you've had a tough time 🌷

That's so interesting! Can you explain a bit more - so you can enjoy drinking but can't enjoy other things? Will have a proper read of the articles later!

Thanks @FuckThePoPo - I’m doing ok.

@Katielovesteatime - I definitely enjoy the buzz from drinking and I look forward to drinking - well I did as I’m currently AF.

I’m just finding it difficult to get excited about anything really. Everything just seems bland and uninspiring - even things that sound great on paper.

But I’m really trying to engage with things/people and make an effort to try and get interested - so asking questions about what people are doing, reading about places we are going to visit, going back to the gym (supposed to help with dopamine production I think).

It’s hard to explain but it’s helping me in a way to think that maybe it is my brain chemistry being knocked off but staying off the booze and letting it correct itself should hopefully see it improve in the future.

I’ve had dry spells and experienced the “no joy” feeling. Is there tips to overcome this? I’ve tried alternative rewards, didn’t cut it.

Have you read This Naked Mind by Annie Grace?

@Greentreesandbushes it takes quite a while for your brain chemistry to heal and be able to experience the normal sense of reward from normal activities.

Worth listening to this episode of Sober Powered.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LWHEU7OnuSOYfbNy9HZS3?si=N52Cb8hbTp6useNITiS91Q

I think this is what my partner experiences. So he binges every few weeks. However, he is more miserable and bitter when he's drunk. But he thinks he feels better when he's drinking, in reality he's a nasty and unpleasant drunk.

Because he doesn't go long enough for his brain chemistry to recover, it's an ongoing cycle.

I hope you start to feel some joy in life - have you tried journaling so that you can see an improvement. And using prompts to focus on the positives and joy?