HI ALL!
I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH ANXIETY OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. SOMETIMES IT IS UNBEARABLE. SCARED OF MEDS BECAUSE I EVENTULALLY WOULD LIKE CHILDREN. I TEND TO DRINK A GLASS OF WINE A NIGHT OR EVERY OTHER NIGHT TO CALM MYSELF. IM SCARED OF DEVELOPING A PROBLEM. DOES ANYONE GO THROUGH THIS AS WELL.

THANKS

A glass of wine in of itself is not a big deal here and there. However, if the reason you are having the wine is to subdue your anxiety than yes, could lead to a problem because it is only masking the anxiety and not doing anything about it. Dont' know much about you so obviously could be many reasons for anxiety. Some is normal , some is not. Have you gotten the program?

Best to you

Ggirl,

Alcohol ISN'T the way to go for calming down your anxiety. In fact, the effects of alcohol don't last very long and when the effects wear off, they leave the person with MORE anxiety than BEFORE the drink !

The tape in this program is very good and factual! If you have it, I would suggest you listen to it. If you don't, then I highly recommend getting the MWC program so that you can learn skills that are effective in helping you manage your anxiety.

Since you are afraid of medication, you may consider natural supplements like Calcium/Magnesium at night or an amino acid like L-Theanine/Suntheanine which is derived from green tea. There is hope!

I definately know that I have a drinking problem, but I know that the anxiety came first. I am curious to know if anyone is going through something similar, or if anyone has worked thier way out of alcoholism and has any suggestions. I feel that I could be progressing a lot more with my anxiety if I could just stop this ridiculous drinking habbit. Help.

redpassion,
There are many supplements that can help aid you in your recovery from alcoholism.

Beneficial Dietary Supplements
Free-form Amino Acid Complex helps with withdrawal and is necessary for liver function.

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) calms the body and prevents anxiety.

Glutathione and L-methionine protect the liver and reduces alcohol cravings.

Pantothenic Acid helps with alcohol detoxification.

Alpha-lipoic Acid helps protect the liver and pancreas from alcohol damage.

Calcium and Magnesium have a calming effect.

Multienzyme Complex aids digestion.

Primrose Oil may help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids is a powerful antioxidant.

Acidophilus helps repair damaged liver tissue.

Kudzu suppresses alcohol cravings.

Flaxseed Oil delivers essential fatty acids for proper brain function.

REFERENCES: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D.

As well as natural supplements...there is this MWC program which teaches you the skills to handle life stressors in a different and more productive way. If you don't have this program, I highly recommend it. There are other programs that are open to the public and free of charge that teaches cognitive-behavioral therapy to people in meetings. I have heard that many use these meetings in conjunction to their AA meetings. http://www.recovery-inc.org

Many times it's the underlying problems of anxiety and depression that lead to alcoholism in the first place and if you treat those underlying problems, you can also treat the alcoholism.

I have not gone through this no but I suggest since you need the help, that you go to AA or a doctor to get your started on the road to recovery. It can be tough so dont' be ashamed to ask for help as you're doing here but this is something that you should seek counseling for , that I do know. We are not professionals here but think we'd all agree pro-help is needed here.

best to you.

PS Although the above lists consists of natural substances, they can still be a bad mix with alcohol so please be cautious.

Hello to all!

As you know from the tapes, I too medicated with alcohol. It seems a bit funny to me now that I was afraid to take an anti-depressant but I could down 6 straight shots and not bat an eye. At the end of my 30 years fo panic attacks I was secretly drinking almost every day.

To prove the point that one of you brought up-I did NOT care what alcohol it was. I held my nose, fought back the gag and drank whatever was on hand.

On the old free information tape I told the story of one of my worst days. At that time I was cleaning houses-it fit my need to "hide." That day I was so terribly sad and I cried most of the day as I scrubbed floors and toilets...I knew what would soften the day...I knew where the homeowner kept the alcohol... I fought it for a time, "That's stealing. You've never stolen in your life. I don't care. It hurts too much. I can't stand it anymore..." On and on I fought with myself.

In the end I opted for relief, to later battle with guilt, embarassment, loss of esteem, knowing for sure that I was an evil weakling.

I was on my hands and knees cleaning the kitchen floor and I could see snow falling as I looked out the patio sliding doors. I cried and asked my mom and dad to come and get me, I gues they were too busy in heaven to do that-thank you God.

I know we could make this into a B movie...but it was my life for a short time. Soon after that I saw Lucinda on television-perhaps my mom and dad's response? From the time I found this program my life has taken a different path.

Do you understand why I do what I do? I NEVER want anyone to go through that living hell if they choose to climb out. Alcohol helped me "make it through the night" but then there was the morning.

Get the help you need. Chose to change your life. Go to AA, or a related support group (not everyone can 'get into' AA), TELL on yourself-your doctor as a starter, RUN/WALK-anything to resist the first drink for the wrong reason.

There is help, seek it. I know what empty words these can be when I think back on my own experience...I can only hope whomever is reading this is a stronger, braver person than I was.

I'll never forget the week of the 6th lesson. During that week I kind of looked over my shoulder and thought, "Gosh, I haven't had a drink this week. Hmmmmm. I wonder what this is all about."

I don't live in what could have been, I try to stay as much in the precious, present moment as I can, but when I wander over to "could have been" I shudder.

We, at Midwest Center, are trying to think how we could get support groups to get involved with the program...any ideas?

Any former drinkers out there who are willing to write to me and share your personal experience with the Attacking Anxiety program as it relates to self medication?

Carolyn Dickman, c/o Midwest Center, P.O. Box 205, Oak Harbor, OH 43449

Blessings to all, Carolyn

quote:

Originally posted by redpassion:
[qb]I definately know that I have a drinking problem, but I know that the anxiety came first. I am curious to know if anyone is going through something similar, or if anyone has worked thier way out of alcoholism and has any suggestions. I feel that I could be progressing a lot more with my anxiety if I could just stop this ridiculous drinking habbit. Help.[/qb]

I'm a recovering alcohic of eight years and I can honestly tell you that people who are alcoholics also suffer from depression and anxiety. I thought for years that I was ok becuase I quit drinking, life got better for awhile but the depression is taking over my life, I'm sure you know that alcohol is a depressant, it's poison to people with Depression I just do this One Day At A Time and I now know that I need to treat my Depression the same way I did with alcohol and it's not easy at all!!! But I can tell you that I know from experience that the alcohol intensifies the depression. I know it's not easy, but I can tell you the rewards are Great.

You are absolutely correct Peneolope- Carolyn

Reply to Carolyn -

Thank you for giving me hope. I have gone through the first four tapes - and you have stood out as the the person I wanted to be(as in - I WISH I could be obssessive about house-cleaning; I used to be before my handicapped child was born - you made me feel okay about NOT wanting to be). I never drank to "numb" myself until I lost a number of things that I relied on. The embarrassment factor is HUGE. thank you for helping me see that I'm neither a freak or beyond hope. I have expressed my concerns to everyone; they all assure me that I don't have a problem. After reading your entry I see that if I recognize it, and if it is contributing to my anxiety (which it is, BIG TIME), then it IS a problem. You have given me the motivation to stick with this. I'm telling you, this program is the most rewarding - and most DEMANDING- exercise of my life.

A friend sent me to this site, so I am very new here. Just took the assessment test...wow. I have had anxiety and panic attacks all my life (I am now 34). My sister has as well. I used to make myself physically ill as a child before tests or on Sunday evenings before the start of the week. Now it has been magnified by other worries -- work, children, everything. I also grew up around drinkers and have married into a family of drinkers (and some recovering alcoholics). I have had a drinking problem for a few years now (my family doesn't know) and I know it is a direct result of my anxiety and fears. But I want to change. I've been evaluated by a local outpatient program which recommended meetings, etc. Of course my anxiety won't let me attend those meetings -- people will know me and even worse, that I have a problem. I've tried finding counselors but can't make it to the appts. So here I am. I have not purchased this product -- why does everything have to cost money (another fuel for my anxiety). But I'm ready to get better...to finally enjoy life. I know I have a good one but can't seem to enjoy it. And I feel guilty for that.

I'm having trouble realizing that I just joined this group. Today I received the whole package from The Midwest Center plus an email and a card in the post. I feel discouraged that it seems to be more focused on anxiety than depression at first glance. I confess I just took the book to the park to get an overview. I know I need help and I've prayed for an answer.

Hi Russ. My main problem was and is depression. The truth is the Midwest Center program is largely based on cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT. It works for both depression and anxiety. You'd be surprised how similar the contents of the MWC program and Dr. David Burns' books are. His books relate more to depression than anxiety. The program has worked great for me. I don't think you have anything to be concerned about. That's my opinion. If you don't believe me, buy one of his books and compare it to what you hear on the tapes and the workbook. They are very similar.

I didn't work for 7 years due to sleeping problems related to depression. Was bed ridden part of this time. The program got me back on my feet and back to full time work. It and exercise helped me get completely off of anti-anxiety meds after 27 years and my anti-depressant meds have been reduced by 70%. Works for me!

well I sure am glad that I came on tonight to just read, I couldnt sleep and thought I will come here and just read the forums.
I have never really been a drinker, but since about 6 months after my divorce (3 years ago) I began drinking, (I did somethings that went against my moral beliefs and I just hated myself for them) I know the drinking was to forget what I had done.
Well the Lord in all his wonder put my husband and myself back together, yet... it seems that even though I have gone through this program more then 3 times and my husband and I are back married; I seem to fall back into drinking to bring myself down, like after work or if we have a problem that I feel out of control with, or even when Iam lonely, I really started drinking after my youngest son moved to Utah and got married, I felt so alone and useless, I spent alot of time drinking then,
Usually I drink 3 hard lemon aids and thats it.
But after Iam done and the alcohol is wore off I have such Guilt about it. I'm a Christian and I love Jesus with all my heart. I know that this is not a action that He would want me to have, yet i find it hard to keep the alcohol off my mind, its so easy to justify Y i can and should drink. This behavior I desire to stop. So the guilt about drinking is intence not just because its alcohol but the thought that " if I loved the Lord like I say I do, I would just stop drinking, period" so then I think then that must mean that I dont love the Lord.

Please if anyone has any advise they can give to me, I'm open to listen.
Thank you

God Bless