Depression in sobriety - how long does it last?

[Want2bfree]

I get very depressed when not drinking. I have about two hours of energy per day and only after waking up. I had plans to go to the gym today and weight watchers, but now am thinking I only have energy to go to my treatment group tonight.

Have never been on a pink cloud. My mood just gets worse with each day off the drink which often leads me to picking up a drink if only for a few hours relief.

Anyone else experience this and how long does it take to go away? Thanks in advance.

[Chewi]

My experience is I usually don't get just depressed. Depression is just one of the emotions I have to watch out for. I get irritable, stressed, tired, angry. All of those I have to watch out for, because they become EXCUSES for me to go back out and drink. The great thing about AA and the experience of the rooms is that you learn tools to help beat these feelings. First, recognize that feelings are not fact. You can use tools and exercise control over these emotions. What are some of these tools?:
-You have done one, reach out in this forum.
-Call someone
-Go to a meeting
-Read the literature -- Big Book, 12 and 12, Staying Sober, etc.
-Pray, meditate
-Get up, move, walk, get out of the house
-Treat yourself to something relaxing: tea, coffee, soft drink, fruit, warm bath, good book, good movie

I am certainly no doctor, but I know there are changes that take place in the brain when you drink and when you withdraw, so be assured that these feelings WILL leave you. If you get to a point where you just can't get out of it, if you think you may be clinically depressed, then you should get to your doctor for a full medical workup.

These things are from my experience, and I'm sure you'll get some other good input today. Hang in there, because things will get better and you will be feeling better! Thinking of you and pulling for you! :D

[Want2bfree]

Thanks, Chewi :). I did quit smoking so maybe I am feeling this way, in part, due to withdrawal. I am wearing the patch, but I discovered it only reduces symptoms, does not eliminate them. I am already breathing better. I've had maybe eight cups of coffee this a.m. and am tired with no energy.

At any rate, thanks for your support! I have my group tonight and will discuss.

[gettinfree]

Hi Want2befree,

What your feeling is very normal. What your doing about it by expressing it here is very healthy.

Recovery, starting with detoxing, is a slow, but progressive journey.

My early recovery included many meetings. sometimes two or more a day.

It was during this period where I learned how to express my need for help, and discover who would become my continued support system in my program.

Remember...Easy Does It...One Day at a Time...Keep Coming Back...I know these slogans can sound trite at times...but they are words of experience...

Your Friend in Recovery...Mike

[Want2bfree]

Hi Want2befree,

What your feeling is very normal. What your doing about it by expressing it here is very healthy.

Recovery, starting with detoxing, is a slow, but progressive journey.

My early recovery included many meetings. sometimes two or more a day.

It was during this period where I learned how to express my need for help, and discover who would become my continued support system in my program.

Remember...Easy Does It...One Day at a Time...Keep Coming Back...I know these slogans can sound trite at times...but they are words of experience...

Your Friend in Recovery...Mike

Thanks, Mike. I do believe it's nicotine withdrawal combined with alcohol withdrawal. No wonder I am depressed and in a bad mood. From a previous smoking quit, symptoms peak for me at around 48 hours and I am at 36. I must get through all this to be healthy.

I will take it easy and a day at a time. As to meetings, I only want to do women's meetings at this point, which are more limited in number. Thanks for your support!

[Starlight]

Thanks, Chewi :). I've had maybe eight cups of coffee this a.m. and am tired with no energy.

Your body is going through a lot right now... it's withdrawing from nicotine & alcohol...it's very normal to feel sluggish, irritable & generally 'out of sorts.'
However,
there are things you can do to make this less severe & actually give you more energy & less mood fluctuations. ... And it's as simple as changing your diet.

8 cups of coffee in the morning?? That's setting yourself up for a real crash later. So will eating foods high in refined sugar.

This past year I have changed my eating habits dramatically (eating small meals of about 400 calories at 4 hour intervals to keep my blood sugar levels stable, no white bread or refined sugar, choosing good sources of protein, etc). All these changes have made a world of difference in how I feel & my energy levels. It does take awhile, but a person's palette will change to where you no longer crave sweets & junk food.

Occasionally I don't stick with this program (like the past 5 days because I've been on my own and have been too lazy to make good meals for myself...but hey, this was a holiday for me, so it's allowed now & then) :)
...but let me tell you, I can feel the difference.. I don't feel 100% like I usually do...so this just tells me how important it is to keep to my regular routine all the time. Lesson learned.
I think as we get older, we start to see the great importance of being good to our bodies...healthy diet, exercise & rest. We can't get away with living like we used to, we should consider it a miracle that our bodies lived through all that (lol)...now it's time to make amends & start treating it with respect & love it deserves :)

:42:

[zoomie]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. Too, that I had a break down of sorts when I was 6 months sober. I found out that i needed medication for my depression and mania. You should at one point if your still feeling bad, talk to your doctor or if you have a shrink talk to them about your mood swings and tiredness. I take non addictive medication that does not make me tired. I no longer have mood swings and have not had them in 4 years. I agree with a healthy diet too and naps. You should be proud of yourself giving up everything (except for coffee). I have yet to quit smoking ,but I will by end of the summer...

[Joplinfrk]

You know, at the end of June, I will have a year and five months of sobriety. That said, I still get the blues and miss my drugs of choice. Ah, the sound of a pill bottle opening still makes my knees weak. I say that in jest, but the truth is that it's a process and please don't be so hard on yourself. Allow yourself to feel what you need to feel. This too shall pass.

[ODAT~Dave]

I get very depressed when not drinking. I have about two hours of energy per day and only after waking up. I had plans to go to the gym today and weight watchers, but now am thinking I only have energy to go to my treatment group tonight.

Have never been on a pink cloud. My mood just gets worse with each day off the drink which often leads me to picking up a drink if only for a few hours relief.

Anyone else experience this and how long does it take to go away? Thanks in advance.

For me, thats a definite warning sign that its time to get to a meeting. I was a dry drunk for over 14 years, and finally quit fighting. ALL of that 14 years was frought with depression. If yours lingers even after going to a meeting and sharing it, seek professional help. There could be something wrong.

[Doraine]

You have gotten some very good advice. When I was 2 years sober I found out I had bipolar disorder. I see a psychiatrist and take medication. At first I resisted going to see a psychiatrist. I wanted to believe my symptoms would go away when I was sober longer.

[dwats]

Want 2b I am an acoa so I cannot fully relate but realize my problems go back to how I process things and my bouts of anxiety and depression were cured when I participated in a cognitive behavioral therapy group in college. We were assigned to read the cbt book by Sam Obitz which focussed on a simple exercise for anxiety problems called a TEA form. It teaches you how to identify and eliminate the thinking errors you make that make you feel crappy. I'd give it a try or get professional help with cbt if I were you.

[recoverycoach]

I have to agree with starlight on this one, 8 cups of coffee will zap your energy!
The mind races while the body collapses:-) quick burnout!
What are you eating?
Sugar, caffeine, and processed foods are all ingredients for causing alarming emotional states! Types of foods certainly will throw you into a state of chemical imbalance in your body, thus in your emotional well being. Mood swings, depression, anxiety, etc... are all things that can be altered with change of diet.
Much love and light!~Cheryl

[calvin]

want2bfree;
When I first stopped using I was on a emotional roller coaster.But I kept talking about it,I always have to keep in mind that ,I just lost my best friend.Drinking was a big part of my life,and now I do'nt have that to rely on to make me feel better.But I do have a God who loves me and will see me past anything!
I am praying for you
Calvin H.:195:

[skyhook]

For me, real traction or progress in recovery began when I quit...keyword quit. Its painful and messy, and for a season there is a price I must pay. Some call it the "dumb tax". A penalty that was needless, other than the fact I brought it on by virtue of my own poor decisions.

When I quit, all of my mind, body, soul and emotions (mbse) were co-mingled at that point and not readily discernable or seperate...so all these systems were suspect and basically misfiring; entwined and snared by my previous self medication.

Once the self medication is halted, the mbse team is totally unprepared to cope or deal with the situation and the immediate result resembles a carload of tired, hungry screaming kids (most of which pee'd themselves miles ago) in the car that I am now driving. I may not be able to stop the car and beat them (lol)...but I do need to get off the road for a while and deal with them.

As we get further away from the physical withdrawals (paying our dumb tax with time and resolve), we are better equipped to deal with mbse, isolating each one individually to examine, come up with a strategy of improvement and nurture that process.

Whether developing and re-training a reasoning mind, or better diet/sleep/exercise, acknowledging and releasing to our spirit man, or checking our emotions and keeping them in perspective...these individual assessments and appropriate follow through will lead to a collective collaboration for a greater good.

It takes time and commitment, but sorting my socks makes it easier to get dressed.

[dwats]

Whether developing and re-training a reasoning mind, or better diet/sleep/exercise, acknowledging and releasing to our spirit man, or checking our emotions and keeping them in perspective...these individual assessments and appropriate follow through will lead to a collective collaboration for a greater good.

It takes time and commitment, but sorting my socks makes it easier to get dressed.

Very well said:29:

[dwats]

Just wanted to say what's up Skyhook. I hope life is going good for you.

[EvilBunny]

I had a doctor once who told me to expect to be depressed for a few months. She said my brain could fully recover from the damage I have done, but that it would probably take about 18 months.

If you were drinking to treat an existing problem with depression then you probably need to get medical treatment for it.

[dwats]

I think the length of your depression depends a lot on what kind of help you get and what skills you learn to combat it. I am thankful I was able to learn the cbt exercises that help turn your anxiety and depression around.

[Stagger Lee]

Mood swings, depression, anxiety, etc... are all things that can be altered with change of diet.
Much love and light!~Cheryl
A good diet at this place I stayed when I was first getting sober helped a lot along with lots of walking and meetings.
I really relate to the OP. For me, a year later and 6 months clean time its depression hell. I feel good for a hour or two after meetings. Have many problems and troubles, financial.family,..

[dwats]

Stagger, I'd give you the same advice I already gave above to want2b. You got to fight the depression where it lives in your head and learn new coping skills. Give cbt a try it really helped me turn my anxiety and depression around.

[Stagger Lee]

You got to fight the depression where it lives in your head and learn new coping skills.
Thanks dwats, I am fighting depression with morning meditation and my mantra 'Living life on life's terms'. I think I've surrendered and given my HP my will and life. I've just worked the 3rd step.

[dwats]

Thanks dwats, I am fighting depression with morning meditation and my mantra 'Living life on life's terms'. I think I've surrendered and given my HP my will and life. I've just worked the 3rd step.

Good job Stagger Lee. I think you are on the right track but you may want to get some help on daily coping skills like I did when you are up to it:smile: