Hey thenewguy ,
I'm severely depressed, anxious, and completely alone, but I'm determined to never drink.
I think you're great for coping with all that and doing 8 weeks *ring ring* @ you .
If the depression is hanging about then i urge you to go to a doctor . Stopping drinking can sometimes make life a bit intence .
I found a book by Dorothy Rowe called "Depression the way out of your prison" useful .
As for making friends , we're all here for you but for the real world have you thought about running clubs , we have them in the UK , or other night classes or activities where you might bump into like minded people ?
Sometimes to attract the new things and people into our lives we have to do new things .
, M