I feel like my depression has gotten worse since I

I feel like my depression has gotten worse since I stopped drinking (32 days ago)

8 Likes

Alcohol stops the production of dopamine, the body's natural feel good hormone. Once you stop drinking it takes a minute for the body to start producing it again. Hang in there. It gets better

9 Likes

What are you doing to stay busy? I feel myself getting depressed when I’m not being productive. Check out Udemy.com and start taking an online class.

5 Likes

It comes and goes in waves for me there are either really high highs or super lows not much in between nowadays so I feel ya but it is getting better then it was

1 Like

I just went back to work today. For break I read a lot. I’m trying to start working out more. I really enjoy it!

1 Like

Thank you for the insight! I look forward to the better days :slight_smile:

1 Like

It is normal unfortunately. Working out and other positive activities may help increase positive thoughts.

1 Like

It takes time for your brain to function without alcohol correctly, plus when we quit the substance that we used to numb life, life becomes real again. That is where a program of recovery comes in, to help us learn to deal with life on life’s terms. Alcohol worked great to numb my problems until it didn’t anymore, I realized fast that I didn’t have the life skills to navigate life in a healthy way. My program is AA and working the steps gave me a healthy way to deal with life without it bringing me down. I have way less depression and anxiety now and live a reasonably happy life. Good going and a month!!’

1 Like

I take antidepressants for OCD. As a depressant, alcohol interfered with their effectiveness. Takes a while for the body to get acclimated but that peace eventually becomes easier to find within.

I would suggest going to see a psychiatrist. Your depression could be more than just stopping the drinking. Come 1/9/2023. I will not have had a drop of alcohol for a year. It took 5 years to get one year as I kept relapsing every 3-6 months. I’m very involved in AA the depression kept getting the best of me

I was put on mood stabilizer and antidepressants on 1/9/2002. This has been a game changer for my sobriety mental health and quality of life. There was a time I couldn’t get off the couch for almost 2 months. Good luck to you and feel free to message me.

1 Like

Your body is still recalibrating itself which takes time. Some things that help the process along are daily exercise, sleep, sunshine, and healthy eating. Are you getting enough healthy fats? I found I needed to up my protein and fat intake (the good stuff—avocados and nuts etc) which helped my hormones even out.

Being busy helps me with that. Busy with work

I also needed counseling and medication. Antidepressants are not habit forming.

You might want to talk to your doctor.

Month 4 was rough for me. Depression sense of doom you name it.

Pretty much par for the course. Start doing cleanup on your wreckage and do the step work. Step 4 and 5 bring a lot of sanity.

1 Like

Stay strong!:heart::100::hibiscus::1st_place_medal:

1 Like