How can an alcoholic overcome anxiety and panic disorder?

Question

Hello doctor,

I struggle with anxiety and panic disorder every day. I am also a recovering alcoholic. I am going to outpatient rehabilitation to date. My first instinct to drink begins when I get anxious. I feel like taking a tablet Librium to assist me with this issue. I struggle sometimes with mental agony. I find it unfair in the sense that it keeps me away from having those triggers or possible relapse, as I feel it benefits my mental health. I am taking a tablet Lyrica for polyneuropathy. Can you please help me?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I am here to provide you with the best medical advice.

You may have an anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder. It can be managed through non-pharmacological management. You should try to follow the below-mentioned lifestyle changes to help you deal with it:

You should exercise daily for 30 to 45 minutes or at least go for a walk. It will uplift your mood.
You should meditate for 20 minutes daily. Just sit in one place in a comfortable position and try to concentrate on your normal breathing. Do not stop or force yourself to stop your thoughts. Just let it come and go. It will help you to relax and deal with suffocation.
You should eat healthy home-cooked foods, and avoid junk food.
You must drink enough water. Keep yourself hydrated.
You should spend quality time with friends and family daily.
You can spend time doing creative hobbies like reading good books, writing journals, painting, drawing, and learning new skills or language or musical instruments.
You should sleep for at least seven to eight hours daily.
You must avoid taking tobacco, and alcohol, and refrain from any other type of substance abuse.
Live your life, instead of just spending it.
Be bold and confident.

If you still have persistent symptoms even after following the above for four to six weeks, then you need to start taking medications. You can take tablet Escitalopram 10 mg daily in the morning and tablet Clonazepam 0.5 mg at night after consulting with your physician.

I hope you got satisfactory answers to your queries.

Please let me know if you want further help.

Thank you.