Originally Posted by
Anna 
I'm sorry for what you went through as a child. It's horrible to have to live in a situation like you did. I, too, was abused, physically and emotionally, as a child and it's difficult when you grow up with low self-esteem. Try to remember that you are not what your family thought of you.
I think you are doing the right thing by staying away from your family at this time. It sounds like a toxic situation. Many of us here have stepped away from our Families of Origin and tried to form new families with friends in our lives. In fact, many of us feel like SR is a family, too. I'm sorry you are so alone at this time. Do you have friends who you could spend some time with over Christmas?
Thanks for your kind words; I think a lot folks who battle addiction tend to have similar stories in the childhood abuse department. I've heard some horror stories over the years that help me put my own issues into a better perspective.
Just need to let go of the need to understand why my family has decided to marginalize me. Besides, how would having a reason fix/change anything?