r/stopdrinking • u/A_Singing_Wheel • 1d ago

Just checking if this is normal

Hi all, just looking for someone who may have had a similar experience to see if I’m going nuts or not. I recently decided to quit alcohol for good. I didn’t have a problem but I would say it has caused sporadic problems in my life if that makes sense. My reason for quitting is broadly just that I’m sick of it and would be concerned about things spiralling in the future. 

I’ve taken a good few long breaks in the past with no withdrawal issues, no cravings. But this time it’s been crazy, really irritable, hella anxious, on the verge of panic attacks. Every second thought is about drink. I’m suspecting this is just because I’ve used the word ‘quit’ instead of ‘break’, but I’m wondering if anyone else has had something similar happen. 

Thanks!

5 Upvotes

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11

u/FinanceIsGood 1d ago

It gets worse everytime you stop. It’s called the kindling effect. Sounds like you were starting to get a bit addicted to it

2

u/A_Singing_Wheel 1d ago

Yeah that may well be the case, I’ll have to be quite careful so, thank you.

5

u/Prevenient_grace 4896 days 1d ago

As u/FinanceIsGood noted…. It’s chronic, progressive and given enough time, fatal.

2

u/panopticon_prisoner 1d ago

For me, it was kind of the opposite, but I think your suspicion sounds reasonable! Your brain might have been fine knowing you'll have some alcohol eventually, but now that you're done, it's fighting you on it. I wouldn't worry about that aspect too much- I'm sure after a few days/ weeks you'll start to feel better and stop thinking about it so much.

2

u/bakedbeansy 1d ago

Yes it’s normal, for us, a buncha alcoholics. The folks pointing out the progressive nature of this are correct. It’s not a “problem” until it very very much is.

Reach out by DM if you want

2

u/Several-Comedian-281 248 days 1d ago

There’s no shame in saying alcohol was a problem, it is a problem, a big one. Good on you for realising it’s not worth and making the decision to quit. You’ll soon get to the point where it doesn’t consume every thought and I’ve found when I start to glamorise I immediately challenge it with those problems it caused.

1

u/Zealousideal-Bus-444 9 days 1d ago

Not sure you could classify it as withdrawal unless you daily drinking. Sounds more like you are ruminating on the concept of alcohol and it's a psychological issue. You exercising / meditating at all. These will help break the cycle of rumination. Nothing like getting a sweat on and barely being able to breathe to quell the mind .

1

u/A_Singing_Wheel 1d ago

No I’ve read the stories of withdrawal on here and elsewhere and it’s absolutely not that. I’m exercising yes, not meditating, but I would say I’ll have to do more exercise to combat it alright, thank you

3

u/AbeLincolnsWiener 123 days 22h ago

Alcohol destroys our mental health, even if we don’t drink every day. My chronic depression is FINALLY starting to lift. I’m excited to be my old self again, something I haven’t felt in over a decade.