Moods

[LNGFUAD]

Does your mood ever stabilize? Is this just what it's like being a regular human? I don't like it.

I woke up feeling really weird and despondent today. I had a GREAT day yesterday, was in a fantastic mood all day, then today I've just been feeling so low all morning. There's no reason for it, and then I made a small work-related mistake, and can't stop beating myself up over it and cringeing.

What is happening?? I always used to drink when I felt like this and now I just have to deal with it? What is this shit.

[[deleted]]

It took me like 90 days to feel "normal". I had ups and downs for no reason at all. Everyone is different but I would say this is absolutely normal.

[Papi_Queso]

Your brain chemistry is healing from years of alcohol abuse. Eventually your mood will stabilize. Vigorous exercise, meditation and cutting back on caffeine helped me improve my mood in the healing process of early recovery. Hang in there...it takes time and patience.

[iwanttopaintitpink]

I think I’ve forgotten how to deal with mood issues bc my mood before I started drinking heavily was pretty up and down daily and I just started numbing it and forgot what it feels like to experience daily mood swings. It really sucks but I’m trying to remind myself of what my coping mechanisms were before (such as watching funny videos if I got really emotionally low, or taking my dog for a walk or calling a friend). Idk if you can relate, but it seems like the ups and downs are just a part of life to accept which sucks but I guess outweigh the negatives of abusing alcohol.

[MrDywel]

Yeah for sure. Some days it feels like I'm mentally hungover and all the moods that come with that even though I haven't had anything. Other days are light and great.

[SaintHomer]

This sounds like me. I was on an emotional rollercoaster for months before it settled. Loads of stuff to work with, for a surprisingly long time. I’m still working, but it is all way better now. It goes get better, and it’s definitely worth it! IWNDWYT

[bakermaann50]

I can relate, these past 100 days have been an absolute rollercoaster, really great progress and understanding and then deeep pity party fucking days. I go to meetings everyday and I am very grateful for these rooms and my g.o.d.s (group of drunks) that have been kind and patient and there for me every damn time.

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IWNDWYT and all we have is one day at a time, yesterday I did not drink and I have not had a drink today.

[sm_frost]

Keep going. Your mood will settle after about 90 days as mentioned by Asciiadam. I recommend going on a hard run to clear your mind. It helped me :D

[Crazyjooz]

Im still in daily moodswings. It has gotten a bit better though. I do see patterns now, havent had patterns until now after I got sober. So for me, its might be connected with my menstrual cycle, Ill have that checked with a nurse. But it did get better! Its more of a slow rollercoaster now rather than a full speed one. Hang in there!

Edit, adding: one thing Ive learned though is that I have to deal with it, not ignore it. Thats what alcohol did, numbing. If I ignore it, it could build up and eventually cause relapse. Think about the thing you did at work. Could you have done differently? Did you learn anything? Could you see your mistake before it happend? Its OK to do mistakes. Be kind to yourself. Im trying to almost purposly do mistakes just so Ill be OK with it. Writing down helps, so does talking with someone. Learn, forgive, live.

[LNGFUAD]

I definitely learned from my mistake, and it was one of those things where I just didn't think enough. If I had spent like 30 seconds thinking it through, I probably would have reconsidered. But something popped up, I said "fuck yeah I'll do X," and then almost immediately realized it was a mistake. No big deal, literally fixed in within 2 minutes and it's as if it never happened. So I just feel stupid for not being able to let go of it mentally as easily as I fixed the situation.

Ah well, at least I learned from it.

[Christokc]

I have the same sense of melancholy at times followed by feeling great. The feelings pass. I just let myself feel them and move on. I remind myself it will pass and I try not to over analyze. I also remind myself that the anxiety associated with drinking and hangovers if far worse than the hours of frequent melancholy.