[Eleny]

Does anyone else here drink to self medicate?

I used to have a glass of wine on my own, soon it turned in to two, and eventually a full bottle. I've been very feeling low and struggling to sleep recently so I've found myself drinking more. Tonight I had a bottle of wine on my own to help me feel better and realised this isn't ok. I drink it fast and don't feel I can stop. I feel good now, relaxed and hoping to god I'll sleep, but tomorrow I'll be anxious, groggy and low.

It's so hard but its all I have to help me cope right now. Just hoping someone can relate because it's a lonely and sad feeling.

[b1ghr0ll3r]

Hi Eleny ! You're definitely not alone... I did this for a long time & even though my mental health issues are "diagnosed and treated" I still indulge & still binge. Alcohol definitely does make you feel good if you're not feeling good. At one stage in my life I did not know how I'd sleep on the odd night I didn't drink & guess what ? Didn't sleep.
You've come to the right place, you're definitely on your own, take care & don't be afraid to talk

[Misssy2]

I have self medicated with alcohol but for me it turned on me many years ago.

Then in 2005 I quit...for 8 years.
Then in 2014 I drank again to get those feelings....relaxation...escape.

I can't drink thou because it lands me in the hospital all the time now.

My Dr. did say that for years I have self medicated with alcohol and we are trying to find a balance with psyche meds but like B1 said...even when I have had stable periods over the last 3 years on medication...I still want to drink for the drinking feeling.

Nope your not alone.

[MenA]

You are not alone @Eleny!

In the past I would drink to self medicate and more recently I was taking someone else's medication for my undiagnosed ADHD. After that blew up in my face, I was formally diagnosed and am now on correct perscribed medications for it.

Have you talked with a therapist or considered seeing someone for possible medications? I also have depression and anxiety (plus PPD) and find the medications work really well.

Hope you find some relief soon. Big hugs.

[emgreen]

I guess I self-medicated to attempt to take care of depression & mania, but I've since realized the reason I medicated was that I am an alcoholic. Co-morbidity (MI & alcoholism) among us folks with is extremely high. I hope you start feeling better.

[handheart]

Try to avoid alcohol as remedy because it can make you feel alittle better but then it will destroy your life .As its hard you must fight hard with life and never give up not matter how hard it is

[Baker#88]

I don`t self medicate with alcohol but with opiates and muscle relaxers. I know in a days time, I probably take enough that would really mess someone else up. Being on opiates since 2011 for my foot surgery that the doctor screwed up, they are like pez to me. If I drink a few Jack Coolers, that will help me sleep.

[Trail821]

Hey Eleny, I feel like you do. Some nights one glass of wine will do and other nights....

[Unrigged64072835]

I used to self-medicate with alcohol. I went to AA and sorted that out. Still sober.

[bizi]

I am on line..checking forums, web sites, face book, e mail yahoo. all of the time keep going back from one site to the other time and time again. for hours! every night!
I call it mental masturbation.
I am a 2 year old needing constant attention.
the internet fulfills this void of attention or rather seeking this.
I am seeking help for this. I need to get a life.
I have an addictive personality.
food, alcohol and internet.
my new therapist says that will not go away.
I am now thinking I have a borderline/ codependancy issues at play.
seeking DBT therapy
bizi

[Introvrtd1]

Originally Posted by Eleny

Does anyone else here drink to self medicate?

I used to have a glass of wine on my own, soon it turned in to two, and eventually a full bottle. I've been very feeling low and struggling to sleep recently so I've found myself drinking more. Tonight I had a bottle of wine on my own to help me feel better and realised this isn't ok. I drink it fast and don't feel I can stop. I feel good now, relaxed and hoping to god I'll sleep, but tomorrow I'll be anxious, groggy and low.

It's so hard but its all I have to help me cope right now. Just hoping someone can relate because it's a lonely and sad feeling.

You are not alone Eleny....I too self medicated in the form of binge drinking on weekends. I didn't enjoy weekends the way most people do. I just stayed home and drank! By monday morning I was either too sick or too anxious to go to work. But i would go. Miserable all day. By friday after a week of abstinence I felt like my old self again! I got my mojo back! Only to do it all over again. sigh.

I just got sick n tired of being sick n tired! I quit completely for 7 months...lost 65lbs and drink hot lemon water every morning.

I still drink on weekends but only lite beer and not nearly as much as i used to. My anxiety has all but disappeared. Nothing like it used to be.

I hope you find your way thru this.

Intro

[bipolar angel]

I dont drink to self medicate..more shop/spend..compulsive like drink/drugs/gambling...joined DA to try to get it under control...but just like alxohol...do it to feel better-sometimrs not rven realizing how much im doing..yhen later,have same remotse,why did i buy all 5hat/no purpose,more debt,feel worse..just makes your anxiety/depression worse. I cannot comment on AA except to say that DA is founded on AA principkes and i find it/people helpful. But yrs,ours is more complicated because of MI and the reasons we drink/dtug/spend#gamblw#internet,etc

[crimsoncat]

I self medicated with alcohol and became dependant was dry for a year but back on now though I have control atm at least