From: carolann

To: benzo@egroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2000 6:35 PM

Subject: Anxiety/Fight and Flight in Withdrawal

Hi Everyone,

A lot of our withdrawals are caused by the effects the drugs have directly on our brain and nervous system. Most of you have heard of the 'Fight or Flight' response, which is the bodies reaction to any threat real or imaginary. This response can be turned on by too much stress, fear and of course drugs. A large part of withdrawal feelings are anxiety and panic sometimes to unbearable degrees. Always remember this is not you but the way our body and brain reacts to these chemicals and withdrawal from them. It has been scientifically proven that Anxiety and therefore Adrenalin levels in withdrawal can be up to 6 times higher than normal so its no surprise we feel terrified. These levels of adrenalin will return to normal but it takes time. The drugs knock out our own stress coping chemicals in the brain and so in withdrawal we have to wait not only for the drugs to leave our system but for our own chemicals to begin working properly once again and of course this is different for everyone.

As soon as extra adrenalin and Cortisol are released into the bloodstream several changes take place. Our breathing rate increases to give the brain and muscles more oxygen, the heart beats faster so you get palpitations, blood pressure rises, you sweat more, sugars and fats are released into the bloodstream to give extra energy, our muscles go tight and tense and our mouth goes dry. Originally this system was to keep us safe and we either fight the danger or run from it and therefore the excess adrenalin was soon used up and we returned to the normal relaxed state. This is more difficult in withdrawal due to the higher levels of chemicals and we often feel too tired or anxious to do anything. I know it's sooooo difficult but we must try to get rid of some of this adrenalin, I don't mean running aound the block but gentle exercise, even walking up and down the stairs a few times or gentle aerobics(if you can) anything sensible to use up adrenalin, yes even sex, apparently thats one of the best ways!!

Of course when we feel this way any extra stress even minor will cause our nervous system to react, this is normal in withdrawal, eventually you will be able to cope again. It is easy at this time to try to ease the dreadful feelings with excessive smoking or drinking or even the odd tranquilliser again , but PLEASE RESIST this as it will slow down your recovery and prolong withdrawal.

Other feelings you may feel when you have excess adrenalin are anger(this can be frightening if you are normally a placid person) also you can become very irritable and agitated, tearful and have obsessive thoughts and irrational fears and phobias.

Overbreathing can cause many symptoms also so if you can find a good book or teacher so that you can learn to correct the breathing as this will enable your body to relax and regain its equillibrium whilst calming your mind so that your anxiety and its related symptoms will disappear.

I know first hand how frustrating it is to be told to learn breathing and relaxation but please try even if it's only 5 or 10 minutes a day to start with, it does work but not overnight, visualisation helps too if you can do it. Remember all this is caused by withdrawal and will leave but time is the main healer although you can help it along by learning as many self-help techniques as possible. I wish I could tell you a certain date that you will recover but we are all different, our body chemistry is individual to us and our circumstances are different but what I can tell you is that provided you stay away from any mood-altering substance, YOU WILL RECOVER.

Love and best wishes, Carol.