Anxiety/Paranoia brought on by alcohol

[Flapjack]

I used to be able to drink with no problem but the past couple of years i suffer with extreme and very scary anxiety and paranoia after drinking alcohol. Im fine while drinking and do all the things recommended to avoid hangovers (eat beforhand, drink plenty of water afterwards etc). It generally follows the same pattern, got to bed, wake 2-3 hours later (sometimes vomit), and suddenly get attacks of paranoia mainly centering around my behaviour whilst drunk even though i no longer drink to the point of not being in control of myself, but i imagine that i have behaved like a complete fool. What is worse is that i am overcome by an almost crippling anxiety about anything and everything, the feeling of doom and dread is absolutely terrifying. In general i am quite a happy go lucky, light hearted person but i would imagine this is what a manic depressive feels like and i can even understand why some people who suffer like this on an ongoing basis take extreme measures. These feelings are at their worst during the night and the following day, and often dont go completely for 3 days. I cant face seeing or speaking to anyone but become extremely clingy towards my boyfriend, not me at all(!). I realise i am in a very lucky position as this is not a permanant state of mind for me but has a specific cause, which i can, and now do, avoid (even a very small amount of alcohol can cause this, interestingly there have been times ive got very drunk with no adverse affect at all ?!). What i really want to know is...am i really the only person to suffer in this way, ive asked and researched and drawn a blank everytime, does anyone have a theory on this or know of anyone else with the same problem?

[Clanad]

Although never having had a "problem" with alcohol, I made the decision years ago to not drink.  I simply asked myself if even one drink really benefited me in any way.  I couldn't  give an honest "yes" answer.  You might want to consider this action, especially in light of your dilemma... Best of luck though!

[Flapjack]

Thanks Clanad. I have already taken the decision not to drink, i have never been a huge drinker anyway so its certainly no hardship but would still like to find out more about this reaction...its a puzzle!!

[Laura1973]

I would be inclined to visit your GP and ask to be referred to the surgery's Primary CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse). This may sound drastic but there may be some underlying reasons why you have started to feel this way. It sounds scary mentioning the word 'psychiatric' but it isn't, it'll do more good than harm xx

[spammylou]

No I have not had this but it has caused a panic attack, and bizarrely every time I have a drink which isn't often anymore I always wake up at 4 am - WITHOUT FAIL!!!!! I must post this cos I would also like to know why this happens.

[brawburd]

the day after drinking my friend always has the sense of paranoia, doom and gloom you mention.  Just a few drinks does it.  I would say in general she is a strong, good natured and easy going person.  While drinking she is the same, good fun.  And doesn't drink to silly excesses.  As to why it happens, not a clue.  Other than that alcohol is of course a depressant.  Perhaps you (and she) are just especially intolerant.

[veritysims]

sounds to me like panic attacks. prolonged panic (days) may be sympotomatic of a panic disorder. the situation is made worse by stress and alcohol. could be triggered by underlying stress or using drugs. see your gp and remember that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. but i suggest you stay off the booze for the time being. i had a similar experience about 10 years ago and nothing since.

[bexbex78]

I've started getting this...it's usually brought on with wine, and like you said I am happy and sociable then go to bed and wake up with my heart pounding and feeling sick (sometimes being sick aswell) I can't get back to sleep because I start to panic about what is happening to me...it's awful and I worry that my boyfriend will think that I am crazy. I have to concentrate on deep breathing and have cut out alcohol...although I am going on holiday next week and I am pretty worried that I'll get it there...I think the thing is to try to relax. Good luck

[Bob A Job]

Try changing the drinks you drink.

I found a similar feeling of despair and self loathing that came with hangovers. But i used to drink Gin & Tonics after a few pints. I cut out the 'mothers ruin' Gin, and havent had a problem since.

[Paranoid]

Over the past year I suppose I've felt the same, only it's ten times worse when HAVE said or done something embarrasing when I've had a drink. I have now avoided going out to work dos as the fear becomes unbearable when i have to go to work on a Monday.

I now normally only drink with my close friends at each others homes but still even if I know I have been perfectly behaved my mind goes crazy. I wake up early then off my mind goes, I try to reason with myself and get back to sleep, I even try putting the tv on to distract my mind and I think I do go back to sleep as time passes but I don't feel like I have.

It also lasts for a few days with me and I have missed work becasue of it. I have tried calling or texting my friends who do reassure me I did nothing wrong but that doesn't really help.

I have recently come to the conclusion I am suffering from depression and the doctors have referred me to a counsellor as I have unresolved childhood issues, whether this paranoia is connected I don't know. I think stopping having a drink at the weekend is the short term solution, but if you're anything like me you get to the weekend and you think it's all ok.

I feel for you but I'm really glad I'm not the only person

[thedon6996]

This is a little different to your example, but i had a paranoid episode for the first time last week.

I had my office christmas party last week. After a really good night I suddenly found myself in a taxi with a couple of colleagues who I suddenly thought were trying to kill me. I was irrationally fearful of them (they are both good friends). I was screaming at them "why do you want to kill me", "who are you" and lots of other things which I am trying my very best to remember and forget. The Police turned up and thought I was just an average drunk, but I was anything but, I was fired up and ready to go (as though my body had dumped all the adrenaline available straight into my brain). Following more screaming I ran off into the night. I paused at one point to take my shoes off so that I could run more quietly (I seriously strained by calf muscles as a result). I then found a place to hide and passed out. I woke up some time later freezing to death and walked home.

This is completely out of the norm for me, and terrifying. As best I can work out it was alcohol induced (but I 'hope' that someone drugged me). Has anyone else had anything like this? It was particularly severe and has left me in a pretty poor state of mind. Any feedback gratefully received.

[Eleana]

I also get this sometimes when hungover, also if i try to go back to sleep during the day i start dozing off and start having weird dreams but im not fully asleep which then makes me panic that im going mad!!

[liam_01]

hi i do have the very same problem and thats how i got here, there is a way to get around these feelings and wake up with a big smile on your face (imagine that!!). whilst your out drinking just keep in the back of your mind that sense of paranoia you feel, as you go through the night keeping checking in on this though then remind your self your going to wake up happy because at this point i have not upset anyone or made a fool of myself. i do this every 20-30mins or what ever suites you. sometimes i start drinking and completely forget then when i wake up with my hearts pounding outta my chest, i cant relax im up and then back to bed, anything to stop my mind working. i had a dabble with cocaine aswell as smoking cannabis and i believe it all stems from that.