To take this as a sign to stop drinking

[Humdeehum]

I went out with work yesterday for our xmas night out.
I wasnt planning on staying late but ended up not leaving until 1am
I cant remember how I got home, remember most of the evening but some is a bit of a blur.
Was talking to a group of people including a man and his sister, who I went outside and had a cigarette with.
I've woken up today with the worst anxiety ever worried in case I've offended someone or snogged the bloke I was talking to (I'm married and this is definitely not normal behaviour)
I've rang three colleagues and have been told by all of them I was fine and nothing untoward has happened,but I just cant shake the anxiety.
It's awful I'm now paranoid they arent telling me the truth even though they have all said they would tell me .
Am I right to think maybe drinking isnt for me ?

The anxiety I'd done something awful (and the fact I couldn't remember) is why I rarely drink any more.

Either: your body tolerates alcohol poorly, so you shouldn't drink often. OR, you drink too much and are unable to moderate it, so you shouldn't drink often.

I'm the latter, and I'd say you were as you weren't planning to stay out and did anyway - do you do that often or is this a festive one-off?

You’ve got the beer fear. Very common, and very horrid! Probably best to take a bit of a break from drinking.

No it's very much a one off event. I rarely go out, think I was having a good time and just over did it.

I like a drink but never forget!

If this is very unusual for you and your colleagues thought you were ok most of the night rather than getting progressively shitfaced, do you think you could have been spiked?

@littlebabycheeses yeah I know. I know it sounds crazy when I've been told by more than one person I was fine but I cant shake the anxiety

No I was out for a long period so not spiked I wouldnt of said

Do you think anything else might have happened to you ?
Can you see on your phone where you’ve been ?

No I left the bar and went straight home

If you're stuggling to remember it sounds like you had too much on this particular occasion.

Is that an indicator to quit drinking? I think it depends on if you had to much because you struggle/are unable to keep within your own limits while drinking (in which case a stop might be the easiest way to manage it); or if just miscaluated this time because drinks that were stronger than expected/you'd only eaten a light meal before (in which case these things happen and I don't see any reason for a fuss, just something to keep in mind next time).

It probably is. Or to have a limit. I went out the other nigjt. Woke up feeling fine, checked my phone and had loads of Facebook announcements. Random shit I had posted and lots of are you drunk replies. I was mortified but on reflection at least the Facebook in shows me where I wax and what I was thinking!

Beer Fear. One of the big joys of living sober is NEVER having to feel like that.

You’ve got the beer fear , tomorrow you’ll be better

This extreme anxiety is a hangover symptom for me. It got so I would get like this after e.g. one bottle of beer and of course I had full memory of the evening but still would be paranoid I had said something inappropriate. I basically don't drink now except the odd glass at home with family and (most importantly I think) with a meal, which seems to make a big difference to the anxiety response.

I'm biased because I'm sober and feel great for it but honestly if you feel this shitty after a night out you probably need to rethink your drinking.

Yeah@usethedata I would rather never drink again than have this anxiety . I know in my head that 3 people aren't going to lie to me but I feel so paranoid its dreadful.

Don't give up on alcohol!

Although maybe next time get horribly drunk with friends / DH in a protected environment. Work do's are not a good time to throw caution to the winds.

Yea, you’ve just got the fear.

It’ll pass and you’ll be grand

If you cant remember stuff and you are anxious because of that, cut down or cut out altogether. No one needs booze to live.

I get exactly that, anxiety for 2 whole days post drinking. That is why I no longer drink, apart from a Christmas baileys.

@Beautiful3 yeah I am starting to think that's the way to go .

As others have said, 'beer fear' is normal. Alcohol subdues your anxiety while it's in your system, so when the effect wears off, your anxiety is heightened - plus you feel awful with the effects of a hangover.

Cutting out alcohol is usually beneficial to health - whether you should really depends on how you feel about your long term relationship with alcohol. If you normally just have the odd glass of wine, and last night was a one-off, you might not feel the need to cut it out completely. But if you struggle to stop once you've started, then cutting it out might be a good thing.

You could try doing 'Dry January' as many people do and see how you feel after that.

Thank you for all the advice . I literally never go out and drink this much so will probably take my car another time. I think I've managed to escape without incident this time but I may not be as lucky again
Lesson learnt as I would hate to feel this way again !

The anxiety is just a symptom of your body processing the alcohol. If this is a rare event and your friends weren’t concerned it probably one to chalk up to experience.

But it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of why getting shitfaced is best kept as a rare event.

This is why I don't drink anymore. I've gotten into states where I couldn't remember on too many occasions