Published on 12, July, 2020
Strange one for a Wednesday afternoon. so, I find when I drink alcohol it numbs my brain to my usual thoughts, I know it makes me more out going and has made me do crazy things in my life, what I’m wondering is, is there any medication that quietens the brain like alcohol does? So just quiets the noise and helps to switch off a bit? I find when I drink even if a few it helps my brain to switch off, I only have 4 cans once maybe twice per week with a space in between as I know this could end up as a problem but if there is anything else I would stop drinking altogether
thanks people
I have one glass of wine most evenings to relax and ‘take the edge off’ - I try to be very disciplined about it because I enjoy alcohol (wine, beer, cocktails) and if I wasn’t disciplined I could easily end up drinking too much. I used to need alcohol in social situations, but now I drive and so if I’m out I can’t drink (which is a bit annoying to be honest!). But these days I don’t do much socialising anyway. I’ve tried cbd oil and it did nothing for me at all - but I did like the taste. It’s so expensive anyway so overall I decided to stop trying with it. l’ve struggled with anxiety for decades - but recently I’ve been studying Zen Buddhism (the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh) and over time I’ve felt my anxiety reducing a lot. I think it’s because it’s addressing what underpins my anxiety - the roots of it - even including things like my upbringing, societal issues etc etc, but also it’s giving me a sense of peace and a new perspective on virtually everything. Buddhism has a completely different approach to suffering - and it’s changing how I respond to anxious thoughts. It teaches you to not ‘run away’ from or push away anxious thoughts - which is what I was habitually doing. It doesn’t help long term if you try this approach. Zen Buddhism is the only thing that’s really worked for me to genuinely tackle my anxiety in a meaningful, lasting way - and I have tried SO many things over the years. It’s a slow process to change how you think (Buddhism has similarities to CBT in that it changes your perspective and changes your habits of thinking and action). It takes work and time to do this - but for me it’s been life changing. It’s not a ‘miracle cure’ - but in my experience it can greatly reduce that level of constant discomfort with life that long term severe anxiety creates. I still have my glass of wine in the evening - but I need it much much less! I still enjoy it though :)
Kate Kestrel said:over time I’ve felt my anxiety reducing a lot. I think it’s because it’s addressing what underpins my anxiety - the roots of it
In my opinion, this is exactly where most of us should be focussing rather than seeking something to numb ourselves.
Alcohol is a stimulant in low doses but a depressant after a unit or so, so it helps to think if you are just making yourself depressed after that first unit - is it really the effect you want to achieve?
It may dull the usual thoughts, but it dumbs you down and lowers your senses that look out for self preservation as well - kind of dangerous when you think about it.
Using another drug to do the same thing isn't really helping much.
Finding ways to unearth the inner issues and develop ways to make peace will bring so much more long term peace. You probably need a therapist to help guide you along this path but it is money well spent in my opinion.