I've stopped drinking alcohol. Anxiety and sleep problems, please help

[1GreenBottleSittingOnTheWall]

Ive frequently over the years drank more and more in the evening due to stress and othe problems, I've got to a point where I want to stop as I know it's not healthy and I'm worried I won't be able to stop if I don't do something about it now.

I came from a family history of alcoholics/heavy drinkers.

I'm not missing the wine, replaced with tea, some fizzy and lots of chocolate for now but I'm having horrible anxiety and haven't slept for 4 days straight now.

I've suffered anxiety during the day for nearly a year now and was using cbt skills to manage it but now I'm not having a drink to help me pass out sleep I just can't get to sleep and have really vivid thoughts and sweats that leave me awake all night on & off.

I'm hoping to see my GP today and tell him about the anxiety and sleep but I'm embarrassed to tell him I have being use drink to help me sleep and now I'm having this problem.

I could really do with a hand to hold, I'm so tired it's making me tearful, no one at work can know and I panic at the thought of telling anyone in RL.

I have tried all the normal things to try and drift off, warm drinks, music, warm bath, reding etc. will the doctor be able to help me start to get over these anxiety attacks or are they just a phase that will pass in a day or two

Sorry it's so long and for any typos, I'm so tired!

That's really good news. It makes such a tremendous difference when you can sleep. Keep up the good work!

Great news! Another whole day of no alcohol too, well done

Day at work over, very stressful as usual but I did feel stronger to deal with things that would normally have my heart pounding.

DD had another good day at school and went to bed with no fuss which is a bonus and I'm looking forward to hopefully getting some sleep again tonight.

I've not exercised in years,have to drive the school run to get to work and then after school is homework, dinner etc. I will try a long walk on Saturday, I could join the gym with the money I'm saving on not buying wine

Aw great news 1GreenBottle hope you get another good nights sleep tonight

Thanks oh how are things with you today?

Went back to work after being off sick on Monday! Felt quite guilty as place had been really short staffed & sure they must of known I was off due to hangover! My line manager was too busy to do my return to work interview but got that to look forward to tomorrow!

Sounds like you have got a lot of things to juggle at the same time, I know how you feel

Good luck with your back to work interview tomorrow.

Interview was fine, prob got myself a bit too stressed. Have completely decided to try & live without wine & dmil just brought round lovely sparkling rose as our anniversary!! Also got a night out on Saturday which feel I really really need to bail out of as got massive big meeting at work on Monday that I can not phone in sick to and I can't go out and have a couple!!
Hope all going well with you 1GreenBottle

Good day here,a week tomorrow without any alcohol.

I fella sleep to the sound of whales under the sea, anyone that knows mein RL would not believe I've swapped wine for relaxing music

Citrlpram (sp) isn't making any difference really, I still have massive knots in ,y stomach during the day + nervous sweats, I'll give it the 2 weeks before going back to see the doctor.

Good luck with stopping the wine oh the weekend is going to be a challenge for me!

Well done 1GreenBottle one week without alcohol, thats amazing! Hope you find ways to get thru the weekend. I decided to open the bottle of sparkling Rose as it was our anniversary and have one glass....husband went to bed and I drank the bottle, on my own Now feeling little worse for wear and really annoyed at myself.
Definitely need to cancel going out tomorrow night as I can't be in pubs and either not drink or just have a couple. I feel really bad as it's a friends Birthday but know I would end up wrecked and the meeting I've got on Monday will be stressful without feeling fragile. Wish I could be like normal people who can say no and still enjoy themselves.

Well done 1GreenBottle - keep it up! Hopefully your symptoms will ease as your body adjusts to not having any alcohol, but take it easy on yourself - I don't think I have an option for whale music so I will have to get myself back on iTunes later!

ohcluttergotme, I think you're doing the right thing. You could suggest meeting up with your friend to celebrate his/her birthday another way - cinema? Shopping? A walk? Something that doesn't involve booze, basically!

A wek of not drinking is normal for many as is drinking a bottle of wine every night the norm for many more, I know loads of people who drink every night.

The difference is recognising when it has started to creep into your day time and start effecting your daily routines, not wanting to do something because you feel rough from the night before, looking in the mirror and seeing you look as shit as you feel.

I'm glad I've made a start to change my behaviour, it really is just a habit.

Good luck oh

Well done!

Do you have a local alcohol drop in?

My local one has been a godsend for me, I was drinking a bottle a night. I now drink sporadically, but still go to my local drop in because they have become my 'family', because they've also been there and done that.

I am also due to start being a mentor, for those that need someone to walk beside them in the big scary world.

I have never suffered from a hang over, but because I was drinking my nights were very unsettled. Now the only time I can't sleep is if something in RL is worrying me, but I have sleeping tablets, just i case.