Paulokes - The point that you made about no longer needing to hide or repress your vulnerabilities struck a chord with me. That's the way I lived in active addiction too.
BrendaC - It sounds like you are getting to the heart of the mistakes you've made. Something I've found helpful after seeing the error of my ways is allowing the right things to happen. By doing the right things I have come to find my self surrounded with the right people. My tribe is terrific!