Doctors really need to know these things Sleepie.
There's no punitive aspect to it - they need to know about my addictive past as much as they need to know I had my tonsils out at 3, I had chicken pox at 10, all the falls and fractures I've had, even the ones 45 years ago, I smoked like a chimney for 15 years, and the fact I once swallowed a guitar pick (ok maybe not that one...
)
I'm sorry if this makes you ashamed - but that's something you can work on.
I really believe shame is engendered within us - certainly other people can sometimes make us ashamed but it's up to us whether we own that shame or not.
I've lived a good life since getting sober, I've helped a lot of people and I've really made the most of every day.
I've made amends where I could for past behaviour.
I'm so much more than my addictions and I truly believe you are too sleepie.
I think shame about our pasts belongs in our past.
D