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Alcohol? What are your thoughts?

3K views 20 replies 11 participants last post by  Alex617 
#1 ·
I know alcohol can probably make DP/DR worse, and for some even be the trigger. However, what are your guys thoughts on having a few nights out every once and a while.

For me one or two drinks seems to make it a little worse, but by 3-4 drinks it's all but gone. I'll never drink just to solve any problem, including this, but what about the occasional night out every one or two weeks.

I think it's good to let loose every once and a while, especially because many of my friends go out 2-3 times a week. I feel like going out with them is better for recovery than making up some excuse on why I'm going to stay in again. Usually I was content not going out because up until 2 weeks ago I had a long time girlfriend and we would just chill instead. Now my options are go out or sit inside at home.

That's the only time I drink however, and avoid alcohol most of the time.

Weed is a different story though, never again haha.
 
#3 ·
I just asked a question about this so I dont know. Do you also notice that the effects of alcohol seem stronger then usual? I get a pressure in the front of my head when I drink and it seems to make it worse at first so I haven't drank that much...
Yes, the effects of alcohol seem much stronger to me. Whether that's because of reduced drinking and therefore a lower tolerance, just the DP/DR, or a concussion I had a year ago I have no idea. Before I could have 8 drinks in a night (college days haha) and feel fine. Now I won't exceed around 3-4 as that's more than enough for me.

I also get headaches/pressure when drinking. Alcohol is after all toxic so it can cause a whole range of uncomfortable physical sensations.

Also I read your post and both shrooms/DXM are more than enough to trigger DP/DR. Fortunately if you don't have underlying anxiety or some other problem than it seems that recovery is usually faster (although were all different).

While I don't think alcohol itself is nearly as much as a trigger as weed/hallucinogens or other harder drugs it seems to help some people (temporarily) and hurt others so it's pretty subjective.
 
G
#6 ·
Never been drunk in my life. There is an ocean of information describing in detail how your body metabolizes alchohol, and that alchohol is highly toxic by it self, but after it gets metabolized, it becomes liquid bleach that destroys every working system in your body.

Frankly, I think less of people that smoke or drink.
And I laugh when I hear someone say something like , "I only drink socialy."
I don't even know where to begin...not worth the effort...smile and look away.

There is a reason why doctors, or the intellectual elite do not touch a single drop of it.
 
G
#7 ·
Never been drunk in my life. There is an ocean of information describing in detail how your body metabolizes alchohol, and that alchohol is highly toxic by it self, but after it gets metabolized, it becomes liquid bleach that destroys every working system in your body.
Frankly, I think less of people that smoke or drink.
And I laugh when I hear someone say something like , "I only drink socialy."
I don't even know where to begin...not worth the effort...smile and look away.
There is a reason why doctors, or the intellectual elite do not touch a single drop of it.
Plenty of doctors or "intellectually elite" people drink..... Don't know where you're getting your stats but they are highly flawed.

That being said it is best in moderation.
 
#8 ·
Our society is toxic.

Drinking, smoking and all of that other bullshit is bad for you. I don't give a fuck what the cool kids do, stay away from that trash -- you're predisposed to mental disorders, evidently, last thing you to be doing is putting trash into your body that messes with your brain/perception.
 
#9 ·
Never been drunk in my life. There is an ocean of information describing in detail how your body metabolizes alchohol, and that alchohol is highly toxic by it self, but after it gets metabolized, it becomes liquid bleach that destroys every working system in your body.

Frankly, I think less of people that smoke or drink.
And I laugh when I hear someone say something like , "I only drink socialy."
I don't even know where to begin...not worth the effort...smile and look away.

There is a reason why doctors, or the intellectual elite do not touch a single drop of it.
Our society is toxic.

Drinking, smoking and all of that other bullshit is bad for you. I don't give a fuck what the cool kids do, stay away from that trash -- you're predisposed to mental disorders, evidently, last thing you to be doing is putting trash into your body that messes with your brain/perception.
It's fine if you don't drink but to have this almost hostile attitude towards it is a little weird. I wonder if it hits a nerve in you because it stirs up bitter feelings you maybe have towards your peers or family members etc etc?

Plenty of people drink and there is nothing wrong with just consuming alcohol in itself, it's more the way you go about it. If you're drinking to self medicate then that is a problem. But to go out with your friends and have a couple of drinks - I really don't see the issue there if that's what you enjoy doing.

I would say going out and socialising and trying to get some normality back into your life is a good thing OP, don't let dp/anxiety/depression hold you back from doing what you enjoy BUT know your limits.
 
#10 ·
It's fine if you don't drink but to have this almost hostile attitude towards it is a little weird. I wonder if it hits a nerve in you because it stirs up bitter feelings you maybe have towards your peers or family members etc etc?

Plenty of people drink and there is nothing wrong with just consuming alcohol in itself, it's more the way you go about it. If you're drinking to self medicate then that is a problem. But to go out with your friends and have a couple of drinks - I really don't see the issue there if that's what you enjoy doing.

I would say going out and socialising and trying to get some normality back into your life is a good thing OP, don't let dp/anxiety/depression hold you back from doing what you enjoy BUT know your limits.
That's what I was thinking. I've never had a drinking problem nor would I ever use it to self medicate. I've avoided alcohol like the plague since my DP/DR and have only drank on two occasions, both of which didn't seem to make it worse or better in the long run. It's just that I'm young and live in a very vibrant town, all of my friends and for that fact most of the city (small college town) have a blast on the weekends going out and socializing, dancing...etc. I work here now and JUST graduated but school just got back in session which makes the downtown area packed and a lot of fun. The last thing I need to do is make my depression worse while I post up alone at my house while my roommates experience and love life around me.

My plan isn't to black out or even come close, I'm just going to have 2-3 drinks with my friends which is enough for me. My LT girlfriend dumped me for no reason 3 weeks ago which brought back my almost recovered DP/DR. I'd love to talk to some girls again and I'm blessed enough to live in a town that is crawling with them :). I used to be so social before this started and I'm just trying to establish some normalcy again.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Personally think alcohol is fine in moderation and when you know when to stop. As long as you don't overdo it or drink on a very regular basis you'll be fine.

I would never recommend using alcohol as a means to temporary treat/impact DP symptoms though. But having DP doesn't mean that you need to be t-total (unless you're on medication, then obviously consult your doctor).
 
#12 ·
It's fine if you don't drink but to have this almost hostile attitude towards it is a little weird. I wonder if it hits a nerve in you because it stirs up bitter feelings you maybe have towards your peers or family members etc etc?

Plenty of people drink and there is nothing wrong with just consuming alcohol in itself, it's more the way you go about it. If you're drinking to self medicate then that is a problem. But to go out with your friends and have a couple of drinks - I really don't see the issue there if that's what you enjoy doing.

I would say going out and socialising and trying to get some normality back into your life is a good thing OP, don't let dp/anxiety/depression hold you back from doing what you enjoy BUT know your limits.
I was a nightclub bartender for 5 years and I've been around the block socially. Alcohol is stupid. A drink or two at dinner, sure but the rest, no. And frankly I think drinking while you have DP or high anxiety is not exactly the most intelligent decision to make.

And no, no family resentment or anything, I just think alcohol and drugs are stupid and cause far more damage than they bring good.
 
#13 ·
Apparently no drug causes depersonalization only they can trigger it. No drug can cure it but some may help more so probably supplements that reduce anxiety increase memory and focus are more likely to help, but the cure is still something I think we have to find for ourselves. I just bought a supplement from onnit.com called new mood and look forward to trying that when it arrives I can let you guys know how much it helps if your interested. It is designed to reduce stress which I believe is a big aspect of my dp and anxiety. On the subject of alcohol I have been drinking one to two beers a night for the past 3 nights and am stopping tonight I am having more moments of clarity during the day especially after 12:00. So i don't think the alcohol prolongs dp when used in moderation with that said though I also am not claiming that it is curing anything related to dp ether. I have also heard that cannibis may help if you approach it correctly I know that for some it triggered dp I personally have never gotten dp from cannibis and I enjoy heavy indica strains for sleep and mood. A lot of this condition is self caused somehow and we can I think retrain our minds to think differently towards anxiety and stress and how certain emotions make us feel so that we don't just cure dp but help ourselves to never have this in the future but to also handle our minds better if that makes sense? I don't think any drug is required to cure dp but I don't think they will always prolong it.
 
#15 ·
Alcohol used to make my DP way worse.

But like you I made sure to go past that point and have some fucking fun, yanno?

We deserve it!

The day after I REALLY pay for it though.

But honestly, as long as I've arranged it so no one can bother me when I'm hungover, I totally got wasted here and there.

LIVE IT UP!

:) <3
 
#18 ·
Alcohol was my go-to substance in terms of self-medication before I was diagnosed with a dissociative disorder and put on meds. It worked fairly well, and I would use it probably twice a week to kind of reset myself and get my agitation level back down to normal. But at this point, since I'm now on celexa and klonopin, it kind of feels like if I drink, they cancel each other out, and I don't receive much benefit from either the meds or the alcohol. I also notice that my anxiety is a little higher the next day. So nowadays I tend to skip the booze more often than not, but I do still love a beer or jack and coke from time to time.
 
#20 ·
Alcohol helps me live in the moment and relax my supercharged anxious mind for a night hence it helped me in recovery in terms of reseting my mood state. That being said it has the rebound effect of increasing anxiety and depleting you emotionally and physically so its not a long-term solution. I would say if you're not an alcoholic and don't get it severe dissasociation the morning after as I did at the beginning then no need to cut it out
 
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