The panic attacks I’ve experienced very infrequently over the last several years have suddenly become horrifying and almost constant since I quit drinking.
I am twenty-seven, uninsured, and have very little money. My options seem to be: 1. Keep drinking (and even this is becoming less effective); or 2. Buy some kind of benzodiazapines off the street.
Any suggestions? Is there some kind of free detox program?
#1 by bbbumpy on July 23rd, 2009
Funny you should ask; that sounds very similar to my situation for the past few years. I also used to self-medicate with alcohol…caused me a lot of court-mandated stuff and general misery. I’ve since quit drinking, but I remember the initial period was rough with the anxiety.
If you’re in the U.S., I think most average-sized towns have a health facility for flu shots and counseling for lower income folks. It is possible to go in and see a counselor about the anxiety, and possibly a psychiatrist will prescribe small-dose Xanax tablets (Alprazolam). I take 1-2 .5 milligram pills when needed. I must stress however, that these are considered addictive and classed as such. A lot depends on a person’s individual body chemistry. Alprazolam is the most widely-used and also the most effective short-term treatment of anxiety, if my memory serves me well.
The most important part is that I finally learned that when I drank, I actually had MORE anxiety. Because the morning after, you’re coming up from extreme relaxation into what seems like an agitated state, in comparison.
I tend to be long-winded, but mostly try to get in and see one of those counselors. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, by the way. Everyone and their dog needs to see a counselor every so often.
Also, please note that I am just an average Joe- A Professional will have the real answers.