Has anyone ever experienced this issue. Things have been going well. However, my brain seems to have gone into overdrive. Even though I don't intend to drink much I keep on going to try and obtain the old high I use to get from drinking. I know my numbers are going to be higher than usual this week because of this. I hope I am not moving backwards. This has to work. It is my last hope. It almost scares me. What is going on?
Thanks!

Hang in there Georgiamom!

For me, anxiety leads to drinking which leads to more anxiety. Which part of this vicious cycle can you control?

Wishing you the best this week,

Eric

Hi Georgiamom,

What you are experiencing is very normal. It is not uncommon at all for levels to spike. Like Eric said, hang in there. It will get easier and your levels will come down on their own.

Q

" ... anxiety leads to drinking which leads to more anxiety. Which part of this vicious cycle can you control?"

A wise observation, to which I would say, "Both!" Clearly you can cut back on the drinking, with TSM to make it easier. Lots here are doing so with some degree of success. But the Ellpee theory of recovery is to also work on the anxiety. What's it about? Am I angry, or fearful, or upset with myself, or what? And once I figure out that part, it's time for why, and is it as awful as I think, and is there anything I can do about it, and am I SUPPOSED to fix it or just telling myself that because of course I'm supposed to be perfect, in absolute control of everything in my life? Not to say I can always come up with an answer and poof! no more anxiety. But sometimes I can, and other times at least the process gives me time for some of the pressure to vent away. Anxiety's not something I was born with, like color-blindness or blond hair -- it grew later for a lot of reasons, and can be reduced or eliminated if I just do the head work.

A big thanks to all who replied to my post. You all really gave me something to think about this week. Stress and anxiety! Big triggers. I took time this week to take an inventory of just what all is going on in my life and it blew my mind. No wonder my numbers have been up. My stress levels are off the chart. So.....now it is time to get to work and get some things under control. My first plan of action was to call my therapist and go get what I call a tune up. She can see me next week. Until then pray, pray, pray!

Again, thanks. Hope you all are well.

Good for you!!! Figuring out what's going on and then taking action to address it. That's wonderful you have a therapist you can call on. Yeah, sometimes I think they make us wait a week, sos we have to try to sort stuff out on our own...which is helpful in itself. Is she on board w/ TSM?

Thanks for asking about me - I promise I will update my thread soon. In the meantime, I've been keeping an eye on you, and I'm glad you are posting regularly and staying the course! I'm starting to think TSM may be a pretty long haul, but maybe that is okay; what makes me think I'm entitled to it working the WAY I want it to, in the TIME I've "allotted" to it???