I knew I was in trouble. My drinking was starting to get out of control. I got to the point that I was drinking every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. I was doing this to relieve the anxiety of caused by my job and to “make the most” out of my weekends.
Here is what I did not realize. Alcohol is a depressant so while it would make me feel better in the short-term, when my buzz wore off I was tired, lethargic, and more depressed than ever. It also was causing me to put on some extra pounds. Not only was I drinking extra calories, I had a really bad habit of binge eating while I was drunk. I was caught in a vicious cycle:
- Feel anxiety
- Drink
- Feel more anxiety
- Drink
- Rinse, Wash, Repeat
I did this for years and found that I was getting less and less enjoyment out of life and the things that used to bring me joy, like going to the movies or playing video games.
So I decided to stop drinking mostly to lose some weight and a surprising thing happened. While my job still sucks beyond comprehension and I still have all the pressures of daily life that comes with providing for my family, I didn’t feel quite as much stress/anxiety. After just 2 weeks of not drinking I feel so much better and am spending much more quality time with my family. Based on my own experience I can say there is definitely a scary and destructive link between alcohol, anxiety, and depression. Over time my brain chemicals seem like they are coming back in to balance and I am enjoying the activities that had lost most of their luster. The other day I took my son to the arcade and we had an absolute blast! Also it may be in my head but desserts taste so much better!
If you are fighting depression and drink alcohol regularly try quitting or cutting back and see how you feel. There are studies that show that alcohol makes it harder for you to deal with stress and anxiety.
In addition to not feeling as stressed I feel healthier and happier. There is a feeling of satisfaction I get from knowing that I can deal with my problems without the need for alcohol.
Update
After almost 30 days of not drinking my mood and outlook are so much better it’s almost hard to believe. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel anxiety but it’s not nearly as severe. I also have much more energy and my overall outlook on life has greatly improved. It’s amazing how much putting poisonous alcohol in your body can effect your brain chemistry.
Second Update
I have now been alcohol free for over 2 months and I continue to feel better everyday. Alcohol must have really been working a number on my brain and overall sense of well-being. I have so much more energy now and don’t experience the low valleys in my mood that I was feeling before. I am also much more productive. In the last 60 days I have gotten a Digital Marketing Certificate, Google Analytics Certification, purchased another rental property, and blogging much more. I’ve also completed some projects around the house that I had put on the back burner for months.
