[Starchild3]

Can anyone please explain why I feel completely normal when drinking alcohol? I am not an alcoholic but I honestly feel my best when drinking. I don't mean while I'm drunk but even after 1 or 2 drinks my anxiety is gone, I actually laugh and enjoy myself. I take Lexapro and Klonopin PRN for my anxiety and they don't work as well. When I take the Klonopin I feel relaxed but super tired and no energy. When I have a glass or 2 of wine I clean my house, have great conversation, and enjoy life. I don't want to become an alcoholic but is there any medication that does the same thing? I want alcohol in a pill form. Anyone else feel the same way or have any input? Thanks

[maggyjo]

Strange. alcohol make my anxiety worse.

Maggy Jo

[advena]

I think you should talk to your doctor about this. On the one hand, research has shown that a glass or two of wine a day isn't harmful and can even be beneficial. However, you are using the alcohol to feel normal, which can be a sign of a problem. Also, are you drinking while you are taking your Klonopin? See what your doctor says about this and also whether you could have an anxiety medication that isn't so sedating.

[Shadow-world]

Hi Starchild3,
I agree with Advena.
Alcohol and anxiety don't go very well together and I say this from personal experience. Initially, when I got very used to drinking alcohol on a regular basis it had this calming, relaxing, anxiety-dampening effect on me as well, but I gradually became aware of how dependent I had become on alcohol when I had a huge problem to be without alcohol for a single night. I would sneak out to the corner shop to get a bottle of wine.
I'm not saying that you're going down that road, I just know that it can be a slippery slope, especially when alcohol becomes a means to an end.
I would definitely talk to your doctor / therapist about it and try together to find other, more constructive means of dealing with anxiety.

Originally Posted by maggyjo

Strange. alcohol make my anxiety worse.

Me too. I can only drink a limited amount before I get so anxious I feel sick - then I get vertigo, the works. I once got SO sick my friends wanted to call an ambulance - it was a panic attack, but to the untrained eye it's just someone who's got totally wasted

I've just started taking Propranolol, a beta blocker, for anxiety, and it hasn't made me drowsy. This is actually something many performers take before going onstage, so maybe it will have a similar inhibition-lowering effect as you downing a couple glasses!

I used to be on a med called Flupentixol, which also worked great for my anxiety without any drowsiness (but I can't take it with my current antidepressant.)

There are lots of different meds out there, it's kind of trial and error to get one that suits you well - so I would recommend going back to your doctor and discussing it with him.

And while I don't suppose a glass of wine or two will do you any harm, you should also discuss this with your doctor if you're taking medication, as most anxiety and depression meds don't mix well with alcohol and you're advised against drinking when on them - this may add to the sedating effect.

Good luck

[Starchild3]

Thanks! I never drink when taking my Klonopin. I only use my Klonopin for my extremely anxious and stressed days. I will mention all this to my therapist. I don't feel dependent on alcohol but I like the lowered inhibition I feel with alcohol. My anxiety is caused by fear and my fear keeps me in control of all situations at all times. I want to be able to relax and let my guard down.

[ALissa3]

Hi Starchild3- I have extreme anxiety and it controls my life as well. When I was 19 I had my first drink and thought "magical elixir where have you been all my life." I had finally found a coping mechanism. One that turned on me eventually and at 35 I entered detox and have been clean since 06/28/2011.

Before I had no control over it I felt the same way- it gave me energy to do things. And I have been on Ativan for 12 years and it had helped but not like my alcohol. Well, I can only speak for myself but my alcohol coping mechanism spiraled out of control and I now realize I can't drink ever again. I didn't mean for this to turn into my life story, sorry- just felt like I can so relate to where you are.

And damn- no pill for it. I wish you the best of luck and remember you're not alone.

Alissa

[popeye]

I always thought Klonopin was alcohol in a pill. At least thats how it makes me feel. I abused it alot. It is very dangerous to take Klonopin while drinking. Yes I self medicate with alcohol most of my life. It made me feel good and I thought it made me feel normal till I got sober. I am much happier sobe than I was when I was drinking. Mixing alcohol with my meds did unreversable damage to my heart. I now have a pacemaker to keep me alive.

[volatile]

klonopins work on the same receptors in your brain as alcohol, which is why they intensify their effects. I will admit that I abuse alcohol and klonopins on a daily basis. it's very very dangerous and very very addictive. you will depend on the alcohol to feel normal, but once it's gone your anxiety spikes and you also have cognitive issues and paranoia. It's hard for me to drink only a little. I have been hospitalized for detox and psych numerous times. It's the only thing I can do to feel ok.
don't start drinking on your meds.

[Starchild3]

Volatile- you are exactly right, when I drink too much and get a hangover the next day I'm severly depressed, anxious and paranoid.

Thanks for all the responses. Since posting this I have decided to decrease my alcohol intake and focus on my current medications. When I see my pdoc in 3 weeks I plan on mentioning it, I know it won't help but it will give him more insight into me

[lost in]

something to keep in mind: klonopin is a long acting benzdiazipene (sp?). ativan and xanax are shorter acting. if you are using klonopin on an as needed basis, you may want to ask your doc about these other meds. alcohol was my medication for years. i never had a drinking problem, i had a dosage problem i never knew when to stop. my drinking got way out of hand and i got some help.

[knphelan]

I am the same. I drink 2 glasses of vodka and diet orange (weird I know) every night while watching tv. It is the only thing that helps me. I haven't seen anyone since I was prescribed alprazolam and fluoxitine. Fluoxitine made me miserable. I don't have depression. It actually made me depressed and suicidal. Alprazolam was amazing and It took me 6 months to finish one bottle so I was not abusing it. When I went to see them they told me no more alprazalam as it's addictive. Why in the world prescribe it then? Anyways sorry I went on a rant. I recently realized I'm going down a bad path. My mom is an extreme alcoholic and I had a lot of trauma growing up because of it. I now can't go to bed without a drink and I barely sleep. I go to work for 8 hours, put my daughter to bed, do homework from 10-12 and drink from 12- until 2 or 3. then do it again. It is a bad path and as the earlier poster said a slippery slope. I am very close to getting help for it.

[scooterb]

Originally Posted by Starchild3

Can anyone please explain why I feel completely normal when drinking alcohol? I am not an alcoholic but I honestly feel my best when drinking. I don't mean while I'm drunk but even after 1 or 2 drinks my anxiety is gone, I actually laugh and enjoy myself. I take Lexapro and Klonopin PRN for my anxiety and they don't work as well. When I take the Klonopin I feel relaxed but super tired and no energy. When I have a glass or 2 of wine I clean my house, have great conversation, and enjoy life. I don't want to become an alcoholic but is there any medication that does the same thing? I want alcohol in a pill form. Anyone else feel the same way or have any input? Thanks

Alcohol is a depressant and works on the part of the brain that manufactures anxiety. Alcohol is also know as a Social Lubricant, it can put you at ease in social situations. Mixing alcohol with your tranquilizers is not a good idea, it intensifies the relaxation effects when used together. Perhaps this is why the Klonopin and Lexapro don't seem to work as well, anymore. Your used to getting that extra kick.
I am in AA and there is a saying that Valium is a drink in a pill. Please be careful. You are on a slippery slope.