Alcohol and Agoraphobia

shipo · 04-08-2009, 03:35 PM

Hi I'm new to this forum but not new to panic disorder/agoraphobia. I was wondering if anyone relies on alcohol to assist in either the boredom or socializing? I have a catch 22 situation as in needing to drink before I can go to any function or drinking alone at home to give some interest to living.
Agoraphobia has cost my job,my marriage,a lot of friends and ruined my life completely. I'm basically house bound at this time and have given up trying to return to the real me that died many years ago.
Anyone feel like they are in a similar situation?

SilentType · 04-08-2009, 07:05 PM

Hey. It sounds like I'm a lot younger than you, but I've been through the problems that arise from panic disorder/agoraphobia. The panic attacks have made the last 5 years of my life a living hell, screwing up everything I had worked so hard for up until it started. I dropped out of school, lost all my friends, you know how it is... I've spent long periods of time home bound too.

I can't say I've ever been stuck relying on alcohol, but I went through a few years of pretty heavy opiate abuse so I know what addiction is like. I take doctor prescribed Xanax to get through it these days. No other medication has been useful at all in helping my panic disorder.

Doctors have pretty much told me that I'm just gonna have to deal with the panic attacks, so that's what I plan on doing. The only way I can think to look at it is that the panic attacks are as much a part of me as the color of my eyes. I'm trying to get back into school after the upcoming summer break, and I'm not going to let panic attacks stop me from living my life. If someone doesn't like the fact that I'm a bit quiet, then that's too bad. I am who I am and I've got to accept that. I can't choose whether anybody else accepts it, and to be honest, I don't really give a damn anymore whether they do or not.

My advice for you is to sober up and accept yourself for who you are. Do what you love, and don't give a rat's ass about what anybody else thinks. I know it's easier said than done, but it's the only way you're going to be happy.

Peace

shipo · 04-10-2009, 06:08 PM

Appreciate the advice..And yep easier said then done. I've suffered from agoraphobia/panic disorder since 1983 and have tried a myriad of prescription drugs. I now take 1.5mg of Xanax a day and also 150mg Effexor XR daily. The good effect from these drugs has over the years deteriorated but to try a change is a nightmare.
You have been prescribed Xanax ..Take my advice if you continue taking them you will only become addicted ..The withdrawals are dramatic including seizures and it takes years of slowly lowering the dose to kick them.
Accepting what I have become is bloody difficult but life goes on and as we all do we must take it one day at a time..No choice
Cheers Paul

SilentType · 04-11-2009, 01:52 AM

I'm actually taking 4.5mg of Xanax daily. I know all about the benzos man, withdrawals and all...

Peace

shipo · 04-18-2009, 04:12 AM

4.5 mg is quite a dose..But what the hell if it's working for you enjoy the freedom.
Cheers Paul