I am certainly struggling right now. I have been sober for one week. I am incredibly anxious feeling and I just can’t seem to shake it! Any “tenured” sober people have advice for me? Or even newly sober people? What can I do?
Reach out if you need to chat. I’ve been there. Sober for 2 years now and a former licensed addictions therapist.
Hello Daniel, you are the very first person I am talking to directly on here. Thank you for responding to my post- it means so much. I am new to this app, I am new to an actual recovery program, and I honestly don’t know what to do with myself.
Hey Jess, not a problem. I sent you a friend request if you want and we can chat through the messenger.
Yes please! Thank you!
I am newly sober, but exercise, this app and a meditation app called Headspace is helping a lot. I am keeping busy and I’m telling myself “ let’s just not drink today” Rinse and repeat,
Hi Jess! I can relate. Take it ONE minute at a time. In treatment, we were told to tell ourselves, "I just have to stay sober today. I can drink tomorrow, if I still feel the 'need'." The same way 1 is too much & 1000 is never enough.. tomorrow never comes. Anxiety is the worst. The only thing that worked for me was exercise. Meditating works but u gotta let go of ideals... Meditating IS paying attention to thoughts, but weeding out those that r unimportant. It's never as bad as we fear, & feelings aren't real, so have NO FEAR! Oh & 3 steps: Ask, Believe, Receive. Keep asking for help:+1:
Definitely go for a walk or stretch if you are able. Take an Epsom salt bath..the magnesium works wonders. Find sober people to chat with.
First thing is , you can do this, next is know that you aren’t alone, third is you can do this
Hi, I struggle with anxiety too. Many of us do. I’m almost 3 weeks into this. It is hard. Especially when you feel alone. But we are not alone. As hard as it is to remember that, we gotta remind ourselves that there are thousands like us who understand what we are going through. I actually need meds to help manage my anxiety, I have several mental illnesses that involve anxiety. That’s why I used, to escape the insanity of my illnesses, knowing little that I was giving in to another type of insanity. We are here for you, and you’re welcome to friend anyone here and we will help however we can. You can do this, you e already taken a step in the right direction by asking for help and that takes courage. Welcome to sobriety, may you find strength in friendships.
Cold showers to kill the urge. Anxious mean you have energy to burn so do something physical
Get your body moving. Whenever I feel overwhelmed running it out helps me (I hate running) but it seems to shake my body out of it. Or sometimes I sit with it. Lay on my bed and really dig into the feeling. Continue telling yourself you are safe while you dig into what’s making you feel so uncomfortable. Once you sit with it you can move through it
Hi Jess! Congrats on one week, that's huge! An important tool I use for battling anxiety is staying in the present, and catching myself when I am tripping about the past or the future. Staying in the present often means focusing on what is right in front of me, washing that dish, folding that laundry, etc. Remember that you don't have control over the people, places, and things in the world around you, so try to clear any expectations you may have about how these external forces should act or play out. Finally, it helps me to remember that I don't have to worry about whether or not I'll ever drink again. If I can not drink for this day, I have succeeded.