Making new friends
I am having a huge problem with feeling constantly alone. In the past 10 years I've made all my friends through bars and through drinking. I go to AA meetings a few times a week and the people are great. But there's a huge age gap I'm in my late 20's and they're all in their 40's or older. I've tried different meetings but the demographic is the same. It's just hard to relate when I'm still in school and still in the mindset of someone who is 19-20. So there is really nothing that we have in common. They are there for support and I love that, but that's not the friendship I need right now. Seriously in the past few weeks I've only spoken to my ex-boyfriend and my dad.
I have no idea how to make friends outside of a bar and right now I just feel lonely. That's all I know for social interaction. My dad and step mom have recommended finding groups with similar interests as me. I love running but I'm so self conscious that I won't be able to keep up with other people so I'm scared to find a group and then the other thing I'm really into is my dog. We go to the dog park every day but I have no idea how to approach anyone. It's like I need alcohol to feel like I'm worth interacting with other people. So I'm just completely lost.
Then there's school, I'm in the education program and honestly I'm keeping distant from everyone in that program. Who would hire a teacher whose had substance problems? So it's best to keep this entire side of me private for the sake of employment. So the people in my program can't know and for us to hang out mean bars and admitting that I have a problem.
I'm lost and how lonely I feel is my major trigger. I can't relate to anyone and I just want someone more than my dad and my dog in my life without feeling like I have to drink with them or have sex with them (in the case of my ex). So please help how do you find people to connect with?
ETA: I feel like I'm bashing anyone whose older. That's not the case at all I love all the support I get no matter what age. There's just a lack of common ground.