Now

[AbsentFriend]

Found this place a few days ago and just started posting. I am:

Sick and tired of family secrets, and being punished for being honest.

Setting boundaries with my family, finally.

Angry with my alcoholic/constantly fighting/unavailable parents, and am passive-aggressively using their credit card to pay my rent.

Amazed that my little brother decided on his own to stop drinking altogether, after his binges led frequently to blackouts, losing control of his car, and once, a suicide threat.

Hopeful that my other little brother will move out of our parents' house and recover from his anxiety.

Able to tell my story matter-of-factly to a friend of 2 years, while she is the one with tears in her eyes.

Grateful for a friend of 20 years that always responds when I reach out, no matter how long it's been.

A 10-month member of a therapy group, and relative newcomer to ACA groups.

A 4-month girlfriend of an NA member who has been clean for 1 year, 4 months. I never expected that MY recovery would be causing the most stress in our relationship.

Alternating between hope and exhaustion.