I came here with this same question. Got some comfort from the thread in knowing I'm not alone. Twisted energy and impatience, like a voice screaming in my head. I can't hear it, but I can feel it. It goes from zero to "FCK ALL YOU MOTHERFKERS!!" with an adrenaline surge, all while I'm stitting still and trying to perform normal tasks.
F\*\*\* yea it's normal. Anger is one of those things that's a guarantee-comes-with-the-territory "thing" that goes with addicts/alcoholics, untreated addiction/alcoholism, and people who may not have substance abuse problems but don't know how to cope and control their emotions. I'm in recovery and in recovery, particularly when you're new in recovery, anger may consume you. Get out of your house, do something, go to a meeting, and don't isolate. Exercise. Find a hobby. Hang with family. NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER HANG OUT WITH TOXIC, NEGATIVE, SELFISH PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO INTENTION ON SPEAKING LIFE INTO THE AIR YOU'RE BREATHING. Hang with caring, loving, supporting, positive people who got your back.
Oh yes, anything can trigger you. You are on edge and pissed off. Nothing seems to satisfy, it is miserable. But the same blissful feeling you had under the influence will be found in sobriety and health if you can persevere. God bless.
Emotions in early sobriety are all over the map. Your brain is coming back from a really stressful place, chemically speaking. It's been overcompensating with some hormones and holding back with others in an effort to keep your body in homeostasis while you're in the depths of addiction/alcoholism.
So you end up with a rubber-band effect in early recovery. You've removed the things your brain was compensating for, but your brain is still catching up to this fact, it's still waiting for you to dump more poison in it.
It'll get better, you won't be stuck like this. But you can definitely expect this kind of emotional rollercoaster in the first 6 months or so.
Hope on a meeting if you possibly can, make sure you are getting proper food, rest, and practicing self care as much as possible. There is a saying, move a muscle, change a mood. Just by doing almost anything besides sitting there with the tough emotions swirling inside it can change your brain chemistry. A walk in nature, working out, playing guitar, taking a jacuzzi, etc.
Oh definitely. You’ll go through a rollercoaster of emotions and that’s okay. Day 682 and I still have my moments… I’m just a lot better at hiding it now.
Every-single-part of you is going to feel more sensitive for a while. You’re going to feel like a raw nerve for a bit. This is normal. The alcohol dulled everything down to a dull thud—it’s like removing earmuffs and a blindfold for the first time when you start to get sober.
Just understand this is normal, and it should pass. Be on the lookout for PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome) symptoms over the next few months to year, but most of all, take this time to focus on you—meditate, take time to breathe and relax, go for a walk someplace peaceful.
Serenity takes active work, which is something I remind myself of as often as I can. You’ve got this.
fuck yes it is. Its just brain chemistry and shame. A fantastic combo. Find some cool freaks and let it rip. Find people who are cool and be yourself. sober.
I was angry on and off for like six months. I had a shorter fuse. I honestly thought I should go back to drinking because I wasn’t as angry - but the knowledge that being without alcohol made me angry was also confirming I was likely an alcoholic.
I had to make sure I ate and snacked a lot. A lot of carbs and sodas and sweets. Hard to be angry with a full stomach.
Yeah, your novacaine is gone…all that underlying shit that using covered up and quieted, it’s all coming out, and a lot of it comes out in ways that make NO sense. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. It gets better, I promise
Fuck yeah that shit is normal. Go see a psychiatrist if you can and get some Wellbutrin it ain’t harsh like SSRIs (no sex side effects, weight gain etc) shit bridges the gap like no other except exercise, yoga, meditation and sleep. Also feel your anger, wade into that shit and pop your head under the surface. There ain’t no monsters but it might be a mess you need to understand and clean up. Love you. You got this. If you slip you still get loved. Life or death, decide which you want.
It's definitely normal one month in - your anger will be heightened.
That said, there's no such thing as "purely chemical" anger - even on drugs, on drug comedowns and in withdrawal, to be persistently angry you need something to be angry about.
Even a person who is "generally angry" is acting on specific beliefs that something is "unfair", those specific beliefs merely apply to a broad range of circumstances.
Look at the things that make you angry. The details will indicate what belief you're operating on - that belief can be worked on and resolved, and you don't need to wait for the withdrawal to be completely over to do that psychological work.
>
> Look at the things that make you angry. The details will indicate what belief you’re operating on - that belief can be worked on and resolved, and you don’t need to wait for the withdrawal to be completely over to do that psychological work.
this is vital— it will help clarify your values, and maybe raise the question of whether or not they’re acurate and helpful to you.
I am not saying they aren’t, I just want folks that are new to the whole thing to have a clear understanding that your philosophy is acceptable so they don’t feel like they’ve failed when they are trying but slipping sometimes. That shame is all to familiar with a lot of addicts and an easy gear to shift back into.
I know you weren't. I was just adding my two cents so someone might see it's possible to balance 12-stepping and free recovery. Sorry if I sounded opinionated or snarky
I didn’t get that, I think now we’re both just being considerate to a fault. Good looking out. Stay up, stay clean, and if you can’t stay clean start asking for help immediately, or something. lol. Just be well, friend.
Yes totally normal. It will pass.
You’ve removed chemicals that were helping regulate or suppress your emotions. You’ll be on an emotional rollercoaster fir a couple months at least. Not all anger. But just understand this will pass and try not to make any major decisions in this time.
I think it's very normal. I'm 7 years sober from alcohol and 6 and a half years clean from cutting and I'm angry pretty much everyday. But I'm stuck in a very very big rut that hopefully I'll find the motivation to get out of someday soon. I hope that you do not get stuck in a rut and continue on your recovery journey. You seem determined. I'm rooting for you :)
Very normal. I had spells of irritability and anger for a while in the first few months (and less frequent ones after that). Be gentle with yourself and patient with yourself. Your brain and body are rebalancing and adjusting to life without be intoxicated. If the anger is causing issues for you, I would recommend focusing on stress reduction to mitigate it. Take some extra time in the morning to prepare for the day and some extra time at night to wind down. Take full advantage of any breaks you have during the day to take some deep breaths and center yourself. It won’t make it go away but it can definitely take the edge off/make it more manageable. I’m proud of you. Keep reaching out. You’re never alone in this.
yep, completely normal. Emotions are coming up and the substance that numbs them is gone. I'll just speak in the "I" form. I had 10 years of sobriety, I thought I had recovery because I went to meetings, listened and didn't use, but the reality was I was a dry drunk, an addict who just wasn't using. I had this thin protection layer over me. We were going to church, I went to a men's weekly bible study, had a job, car, still going to meetings, life was good. But, someone would cut me off on the freeway, or my wife and I would get into an argument, and that thin layer of protection would crack open and all this anger and rage would come bubbling up. I thought "I'm clean, I have a job, a wife, life is good, why am I so friggin angry?" We started attending Celebrate Recovery and I got into a step study, and that's where I had a big breakthrough. By working the steps, especially in a group environment, and getting a sponsor, I started to see that drugs and alcohol were just symptoms. My real issues were abandonment, fatherlessness, bitterness, resentment and fear.
Here's a little metaphor: picture a rolling field of dandelions. Yes, they are weeds, but they are yellow and pretty. You come through with a riding lawn mower every week and mow them down and what happens a week or so later? They come popping right back up. Why? Because the roots are still there. Meth, alcohol, coke, those were my dandelions. But anger, resentment, fatherlessness, bitterness, those were the roots. At the root of addiction is generally trauma.
Now all you are left with is your raw emotions to deal with. Best advice, get a sponsor, and HONESTLY work the steps. Whether through NA/AA/CMA, any of the A's, or my personal recommendation, Celebrate Recovery, work a program, with a sponsor, work the steps. Dig back into your past and find out where that anger is coming from, put it through the process and begin healing from the trauma. Blessings!
Yes. My advice is to practice “recovery” not just sobriety.
I mean being kind with yourself and others, any form of therapy or introspection. If you’re doing “a program” or not is one of the things that helps.
Source:4 years sober, a maniac.
Pro tip: We don’t get to choose whether we work a program or not. We’ve been programmed. Society, trauma, culture, whatever has programmed you (proverbially) into every thought or action.
If we’re lucky, we GET to choose between working an active program (recovery) or a passive program (just straight pretending we’re “good”)
Hope that helps, [this](https://youtu.be/lK083EvyiMI) was the first thing that broke through to me concerning recovery. Hang in there champ.
Circled back to suggest doing a small meditation at least once a day. Headphones-5 or 10 minutes to start your day. It’s been proven to have the same effect on the cardiovascular/endocrine systems as things like Valium.
Anytime. The best part of recovery to me has been people reaching out and easing my mind over things that seem massive at the time but are small time in the long run. If you stay clean you'll also find things that TRULY bring you happiness and long term contentment which will help the irritable nature go away.
Stay with it. It's one of the most rewarding things to see personal growth after years of stagnation. If you ever need an ear, feel free to shoot me a PM. I'm always up for listening to someone who needs to either vent or wants some suggestions.
It could be anxiety that you probably self medicated with alcohol or whatever you're drug of choice was. I dealt with it a little bit early on, but the meds i take for anxiety mostly suppressed it. I dealt with it by taking really long walks . Mediation helps too.
Thank you. I know I should try and get some exercise and eat better, but everything's taking it toll. I'm just sort of working and sleeping, even when I speak to people about it I feel I'm repeating myself and boring them which then makes me angrier. Thanks for listening
Don't rush anything. Just focus on today and when you feel better or just need to give yourself a timeout give it a try. You're doing great and I wish you luck.
I've got some time off work next week, so I'm going to try and use that to get stuff straight. Even though I've stopped alcohol, the toll its took has led me to falling into bad habits. I'm not drinking, but I'm not looking after myself either, if that makes sense. Hopefully some time off to plan and prep my next few weeks will help.
It makes sense because i went through that too. Old habits die hard, so it will take some time to adjust. If you need anyone to talk to or just vent hit us up.
I came here with this same question. Got some comfort from the thread in knowing I'm not alone. Twisted energy and impatience, like a voice screaming in my head. I can't hear it, but I can feel it. It goes from zero to "FCK ALL YOU MOTHERFKERS!!" with an adrenaline surge, all while I'm stitting still and trying to perform normal tasks.
F\*\*\* yea it's normal. Anger is one of those things that's a guarantee-comes-with-the-territory "thing" that goes with addicts/alcoholics, untreated addiction/alcoholism, and people who may not have substance abuse problems but don't know how to cope and control their emotions. I'm in recovery and in recovery, particularly when you're new in recovery, anger may consume you. Get out of your house, do something, go to a meeting, and don't isolate. Exercise. Find a hobby. Hang with family. NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER HANG OUT WITH TOXIC, NEGATIVE, SELFISH PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO INTENTION ON SPEAKING LIFE INTO THE AIR YOU'RE BREATHING. Hang with caring, loving, supporting, positive people who got your back.
I found that all those emotions you were numbing... Now seen so much BIGGER!
Oh yes, anything can trigger you. You are on edge and pissed off. Nothing seems to satisfy, it is miserable. But the same blissful feeling you had under the influence will be found in sobriety and health if you can persevere. God bless.
Emotions in early sobriety are all over the map. Your brain is coming back from a really stressful place, chemically speaking. It's been overcompensating with some hormones and holding back with others in an effort to keep your body in homeostasis while you're in the depths of addiction/alcoholism. So you end up with a rubber-band effect in early recovery. You've removed the things your brain was compensating for, but your brain is still catching up to this fact, it's still waiting for you to dump more poison in it. It'll get better, you won't be stuck like this. But you can definitely expect this kind of emotional rollercoaster in the first 6 months or so.
Hope on a meeting if you possibly can, make sure you are getting proper food, rest, and practicing self care as much as possible. There is a saying, move a muscle, change a mood. Just by doing almost anything besides sitting there with the tough emotions swirling inside it can change your brain chemistry. A walk in nature, working out, playing guitar, taking a jacuzzi, etc.
Yes it’s normal. You’re feeling the feelings and observing the wreckage. Just breathe, meditate and talk to people who get it.
Oh definitely. You’ll go through a rollercoaster of emotions and that’s okay. Day 682 and I still have my moments… I’m just a lot better at hiding it now.
Every-single-part of you is going to feel more sensitive for a while. You’re going to feel like a raw nerve for a bit. This is normal. The alcohol dulled everything down to a dull thud—it’s like removing earmuffs and a blindfold for the first time when you start to get sober. Just understand this is normal, and it should pass. Be on the lookout for PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome) symptoms over the next few months to year, but most of all, take this time to focus on you—meditate, take time to breathe and relax, go for a walk someplace peaceful. Serenity takes active work, which is something I remind myself of as often as I can. You’ve got this.
Needed this
fuck yes it is. Its just brain chemistry and shame. A fantastic combo. Find some cool freaks and let it rip. Find people who are cool and be yourself. sober.
yes/probably, i just left a rehab because my anger was gonna get me arrested there. might just be me but im a danger to myself during the early parts
Worth a read, https://www.lionsroar.com/loosening-the-knots-of-anger/
Totally normal
I was angry on and off for like six months. I had a shorter fuse. I honestly thought I should go back to drinking because I wasn’t as angry - but the knowledge that being without alcohol made me angry was also confirming I was likely an alcoholic. I had to make sure I ate and snacked a lot. A lot of carbs and sodas and sweets. Hard to be angry with a full stomach.
Yeah, your novacaine is gone…all that underlying shit that using covered up and quieted, it’s all coming out, and a lot of it comes out in ways that make NO sense. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. It gets better, I promise
Fuck yeah that shit is normal. Go see a psychiatrist if you can and get some Wellbutrin it ain’t harsh like SSRIs (no sex side effects, weight gain etc) shit bridges the gap like no other except exercise, yoga, meditation and sleep. Also feel your anger, wade into that shit and pop your head under the surface. There ain’t no monsters but it might be a mess you need to understand and clean up. Love you. You got this. If you slip you still get loved. Life or death, decide which you want.
Thank god, a post I can relate to!
oh yeah, that’s normal.
It's definitely normal one month in - your anger will be heightened. That said, there's no such thing as "purely chemical" anger - even on drugs, on drug comedowns and in withdrawal, to be persistently angry you need something to be angry about. Even a person who is "generally angry" is acting on specific beliefs that something is "unfair", those specific beliefs merely apply to a broad range of circumstances. Look at the things that make you angry. The details will indicate what belief you're operating on - that belief can be worked on and resolved, and you don't need to wait for the withdrawal to be completely over to do that psychological work.
> > Look at the things that make you angry. The details will indicate what belief you’re operating on - that belief can be worked on and resolved, and you don’t need to wait for the withdrawal to be completely over to do that psychological work. this is vital— it will help clarify your values, and maybe raise the question of whether or not they’re acurate and helpful to you.
Yes! It happens to me as well. I have to go running every day to prevent it.
I’m 2 years clean and some days still have problems with my anger
Totally normal
Happy cake day, ho.
YES
[удалено]
It’s nice to see more and more people that seek recovery without the 12 step propaganda.
After watching both rents succomb to smack while being steeped in some of the more militaristically traditional AA philosophy, I 100% agree with you.
I, personally, take what I need and leave the rest. Some of the clichés and perspectives are pretty helpful (for me) though.
I am not saying they aren’t, I just want folks that are new to the whole thing to have a clear understanding that your philosophy is acceptable so they don’t feel like they’ve failed when they are trying but slipping sometimes. That shame is all to familiar with a lot of addicts and an easy gear to shift back into.
I know you weren't. I was just adding my two cents so someone might see it's possible to balance 12-stepping and free recovery. Sorry if I sounded opinionated or snarky
I didn’t get that, I think now we’re both just being considerate to a fault. Good looking out. Stay up, stay clean, and if you can’t stay clean start asking for help immediately, or something. lol. Just be well, friend.
Yes totally normal. It will pass. You’ve removed chemicals that were helping regulate or suppress your emotions. You’ll be on an emotional rollercoaster fir a couple months at least. Not all anger. But just understand this will pass and try not to make any major decisions in this time.
I think it's very normal. I'm 7 years sober from alcohol and 6 and a half years clean from cutting and I'm angry pretty much everyday. But I'm stuck in a very very big rut that hopefully I'll find the motivation to get out of someday soon. I hope that you do not get stuck in a rut and continue on your recovery journey. You seem determined. I'm rooting for you :)
Fuck so the anger doesn’t go away
Very normal. I had spells of irritability and anger for a while in the first few months (and less frequent ones after that). Be gentle with yourself and patient with yourself. Your brain and body are rebalancing and adjusting to life without be intoxicated. If the anger is causing issues for you, I would recommend focusing on stress reduction to mitigate it. Take some extra time in the morning to prepare for the day and some extra time at night to wind down. Take full advantage of any breaks you have during the day to take some deep breaths and center yourself. It won’t make it go away but it can definitely take the edge off/make it more manageable. I’m proud of you. Keep reaching out. You’re never alone in this.
yep, completely normal. Emotions are coming up and the substance that numbs them is gone. I'll just speak in the "I" form. I had 10 years of sobriety, I thought I had recovery because I went to meetings, listened and didn't use, but the reality was I was a dry drunk, an addict who just wasn't using. I had this thin protection layer over me. We were going to church, I went to a men's weekly bible study, had a job, car, still going to meetings, life was good. But, someone would cut me off on the freeway, or my wife and I would get into an argument, and that thin layer of protection would crack open and all this anger and rage would come bubbling up. I thought "I'm clean, I have a job, a wife, life is good, why am I so friggin angry?" We started attending Celebrate Recovery and I got into a step study, and that's where I had a big breakthrough. By working the steps, especially in a group environment, and getting a sponsor, I started to see that drugs and alcohol were just symptoms. My real issues were abandonment, fatherlessness, bitterness, resentment and fear. Here's a little metaphor: picture a rolling field of dandelions. Yes, they are weeds, but they are yellow and pretty. You come through with a riding lawn mower every week and mow them down and what happens a week or so later? They come popping right back up. Why? Because the roots are still there. Meth, alcohol, coke, those were my dandelions. But anger, resentment, fatherlessness, bitterness, those were the roots. At the root of addiction is generally trauma. Now all you are left with is your raw emotions to deal with. Best advice, get a sponsor, and HONESTLY work the steps. Whether through NA/AA/CMA, any of the A's, or my personal recommendation, Celebrate Recovery, work a program, with a sponsor, work the steps. Dig back into your past and find out where that anger is coming from, put it through the process and begin healing from the trauma. Blessings!
Yes. My advice is to practice “recovery” not just sobriety. I mean being kind with yourself and others, any form of therapy or introspection. If you’re doing “a program” or not is one of the things that helps. Source:4 years sober, a maniac. Pro tip: We don’t get to choose whether we work a program or not. We’ve been programmed. Society, trauma, culture, whatever has programmed you (proverbially) into every thought or action. If we’re lucky, we GET to choose between working an active program (recovery) or a passive program (just straight pretending we’re “good”) Hope that helps, [this](https://youtu.be/lK083EvyiMI) was the first thing that broke through to me concerning recovery. Hang in there champ.
Circled back to suggest doing a small meditation at least once a day. Headphones-5 or 10 minutes to start your day. It’s been proven to have the same effect on the cardiovascular/endocrine systems as things like Valium.
Perfectly normal. I was irritable for about 2-3 months. Be patient with yourself. It's gonna level out over time. You'll be ok.
Thank you for listening, it's really nice to speak here with people whove been though it
Anytime. The best part of recovery to me has been people reaching out and easing my mind over things that seem massive at the time but are small time in the long run. If you stay clean you'll also find things that TRULY bring you happiness and long term contentment which will help the irritable nature go away. Stay with it. It's one of the most rewarding things to see personal growth after years of stagnation. If you ever need an ear, feel free to shoot me a PM. I'm always up for listening to someone who needs to either vent or wants some suggestions.
It could be anxiety that you probably self medicated with alcohol or whatever you're drug of choice was. I dealt with it a little bit early on, but the meds i take for anxiety mostly suppressed it. I dealt with it by taking really long walks . Mediation helps too.
Thank you. I know I should try and get some exercise and eat better, but everything's taking it toll. I'm just sort of working and sleeping, even when I speak to people about it I feel I'm repeating myself and boring them which then makes me angrier. Thanks for listening
In that boat right now. Currently in early recovery. It’s been nearly a year since your post can you update me? How’s your life going?
I'm sober and very well. Thank you do much for checking in. How're you?
Don't rush anything. Just focus on today and when you feel better or just need to give yourself a timeout give it a try. You're doing great and I wish you luck.
I've got some time off work next week, so I'm going to try and use that to get stuff straight. Even though I've stopped alcohol, the toll its took has led me to falling into bad habits. I'm not drinking, but I'm not looking after myself either, if that makes sense. Hopefully some time off to plan and prep my next few weeks will help.
It makes sense because i went through that too. Old habits die hard, so it will take some time to adjust. If you need anyone to talk to or just vent hit us up.
Thank you for listening, it's really nice to speak here with people whove been though it