Introduction .
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Introduction .
Hi guys , My name is Robbie and I am an alcoholic . I am 25 and also suffer from severe social anxiety disorder . I am really glad to have found this site and am determined to use it everyday to help me stay sober . I have been stuck in active addiction for nearly a decade now and I am truly sick and tired of being sick and tired and I really want to stop drinking and using drugs for good . I have been in denial for a long time so that really kept me stuck for years but can now see how messed up my life has become through alcohol and drugs . I have put off the AA route for a long time because of my deep shame that my social anxiety disorder brings me but worked up the nerve to go recently and it was extremely stressful to be in a room with over 20 people but what choice did I have ??? This combination of social anxiety disorder and alcoholism is a nightmare because it has stopped me getting the help I need for so long now . Anyway , that is just a bit about me and the situation I am in now and I look forward to getting to know some of you better , thanks , Robbie86 
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,514
Hi and Welcome!
I'm glad you have decided to live a sober life.
AA works for many, but there are other recovery methods that work well too. Take a look around and I hope you continue to read and post.
I'm glad you have decided to live a sober life.
AA works for many, but there are other recovery methods that work well too. Take a look around and I hope you continue to read and post.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Ft. Myers Florida
Posts: 5
Robbie, I know how you feel.
I myself don't have social anxiety, but I cannot fathom the thought of going to any sort of treatment or meetings, or even talking to a doctor one on one. What I need is a friend, just one friend I can turn to and ask for help when I need. Someone who won't judge me, someone who understands what the depths of addiction feel like. I myself have chosen to do try to get clean without going the route of meetings or clinics or doctors. Hopefully you can get past your demons in the same way. I know it can be done. I'm a strong believer of you can ultimatly do anything you set your mind to.
very best of luck
I myself don't have social anxiety, but I cannot fathom the thought of going to any sort of treatment or meetings, or even talking to a doctor one on one. What I need is a friend, just one friend I can turn to and ask for help when I need. Someone who won't judge me, someone who understands what the depths of addiction feel like. I myself have chosen to do try to get clean without going the route of meetings or clinics or doctors. Hopefully you can get past your demons in the same way. I know it can be done. I'm a strong believer of you can ultimatly do anything you set your mind to.
very best of luck
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by Anna 
Hi and Welcome!
I'm glad you have decided to live a sober life.
AA works for many, but there are other recovery methods that work well too. Take a look around and I hope you continue to read and post.
I'm glad you have decided to live a sober life.
AA works for many, but there are other recovery methods that work well too. Take a look around and I hope you continue to read and post.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by cafenervosa
Robbie, I know how you feel.
I myself don't have social anxiety, but I cannot fathom the thought of going to any sort of treatment or meetings, or even talking to a doctor one on one. What I need is a friend, just one friend I can turn to and ask for help when I need. Someone who won't judge me, someone who understands what the depths of addiction feel like. I myself have chosen to do try to get clean without going the route of meetings or clinics or doctors. Hopefully you can get past your demons in the same way. I know it can be done. I'm a strong believer of you can ultimatly do anything you set your mind to.
very best of luck
I myself don't have social anxiety, but I cannot fathom the thought of going to any sort of treatment or meetings, or even talking to a doctor one on one. What I need is a friend, just one friend I can turn to and ask for help when I need. Someone who won't judge me, someone who understands what the depths of addiction feel like. I myself have chosen to do try to get clean without going the route of meetings or clinics or doctors. Hopefully you can get past your demons in the same way. I know it can be done. I'm a strong believer of you can ultimatly do anything you set your mind to.
very best of luck
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,445
Hi Robbie
Welcome
I believe there are online meetings available for AA (and for other recovery groups like SMART too)
I don't have any links but I'm sure someone will or you could Google it
That may be a way around this for you?
D
Welcome
I believe there are online meetings available for AA (and for other recovery groups like SMART too)
I don't have any links but I'm sure someone will or you could Google it
That may be a way around this for you?
D
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Randolph NJ
Posts: 70
Robbie-
Welcome to the website. I quit drinking over a year ago and did not go to AA. Like you I did not feel comfortable in group settings. I decided to go to a therapist instead and I found the one on one aspect along with this website very, very helpful.
Now after quitting almost all of my social anxiety has gone away. You'll be surprised that when you quit the drinking and drugs that what you thought you were doing to self medicate was actually making your anxiety problems worse.
Welcome to the website. I quit drinking over a year ago and did not go to AA. Like you I did not feel comfortable in group settings. I decided to go to a therapist instead and I found the one on one aspect along with this website very, very helpful.
Now after quitting almost all of my social anxiety has gone away. You'll be surprised that when you quit the drinking and drugs that what you thought you were doing to self medicate was actually making your anxiety problems worse.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 42
Hi Robbie and welcome!
We're both in the same boat I guess. My social anxiety was/is so bad it's debilitating. I simply could NOT function socially in any way without self medicating. I've been like that all my life and have been drinking for over 40 of my 56 years. Mostly, lonely, wasted years. You're still young yet. You don't have to live that kind of life and I'm SOOOO happy you've decided to do something about it now!
My situation spiraled out of control when I got a GREAT job a few months ago but demands my being very, VERY socially active. I started to "self medicate" more and more not realizing the tolerance I was building up to alcohol. My boss asked me the other day if I was okay to drive. How humiliating but life saving. I fessed up to him, my brother and sister and made an appointment to see the doc tomorrow. I couldn't have made that decision though without the help of all the wonderful people on here supporting me as well. I'm scared as $hit but I'm just completely exhausted trying to live this way.
Hang in there Robbie! If I can do this you can too.
We're both in the same boat I guess. My social anxiety was/is so bad it's debilitating. I simply could NOT function socially in any way without self medicating. I've been like that all my life and have been drinking for over 40 of my 56 years. Mostly, lonely, wasted years. You're still young yet. You don't have to live that kind of life and I'm SOOOO happy you've decided to do something about it now!
My situation spiraled out of control when I got a GREAT job a few months ago but demands my being very, VERY socially active. I started to "self medicate" more and more not realizing the tolerance I was building up to alcohol. My boss asked me the other day if I was okay to drive. How humiliating but life saving. I fessed up to him, my brother and sister and made an appointment to see the doc tomorrow. I couldn't have made that decision though without the help of all the wonderful people on here supporting me as well. I'm scared as $hit but I'm just completely exhausted trying to live this way.
Hang in there Robbie! If I can do this you can too.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by Dee74
Hi Robbie
Welcome
I believe there are online meetings available for AA (and for other recovery groups like SMART too)
I don't have any links but I'm sure someone will or you could Google it
That may be a way around this for you?
D
Welcome
I believe there are online meetings available for AA (and for other recovery groups like SMART too)
I don't have any links but I'm sure someone will or you could Google it
That may be a way around this for you?
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by yo466
Robbie-
Welcome to the website. I quit drinking over a year ago and did not go to AA. Like you I did not feel comfortable in group settings. I decided to go to a therapist instead and I found the one on one aspect along with this website very, very helpful.
Now after quitting almost all of my social anxiety has gone away. You'll be surprised that when you quit the drinking and drugs that what you thought you were doing to self medicate was actually making your anxiety problems worse.
Welcome to the website. I quit drinking over a year ago and did not go to AA. Like you I did not feel comfortable in group settings. I decided to go to a therapist instead and I found the one on one aspect along with this website very, very helpful.
Now after quitting almost all of my social anxiety has gone away. You'll be surprised that when you quit the drinking and drugs that what you thought you were doing to self medicate was actually making your anxiety problems worse.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by Nikoneer
Hi Robbie and welcome!
We're both in the same boat I guess. My social anxiety was/is so bad it's debilitating. I simply could NOT function socially in any way without self medicating. I've been like that all my life and have been drinking for over 40 of my 56 years. Mostly, lonely, wasted years. You're still young yet. You don't have to live that kind of life and I'm SOOOO happy you've decided to do something about it now!
My situation spiraled out of control when I got a GREAT job a few months ago but demands my being very, VERY socially active. I started to "self medicate" more and more not realizing the tolerance I was building up to alcohol. My boss asked me the other day if I was okay to drive. How humiliating but life saving. I fessed up to him, my brother and sister and made an appointment to see the doc tomorrow. I couldn't have made that decision though without the help of all the wonderful people on here supporting me as well. I'm scared as $hit but I'm just completely exhausted trying to live this way.
Hang in there Robbie! If I can do this you can too.
We're both in the same boat I guess. My social anxiety was/is so bad it's debilitating. I simply could NOT function socially in any way without self medicating. I've been like that all my life and have been drinking for over 40 of my 56 years. Mostly, lonely, wasted years. You're still young yet. You don't have to live that kind of life and I'm SOOOO happy you've decided to do something about it now!
My situation spiraled out of control when I got a GREAT job a few months ago but demands my being very, VERY socially active. I started to "self medicate" more and more not realizing the tolerance I was building up to alcohol. My boss asked me the other day if I was okay to drive. How humiliating but life saving. I fessed up to him, my brother and sister and made an appointment to see the doc tomorrow. I couldn't have made that decision though without the help of all the wonderful people on here supporting me as well. I'm scared as $hit but I'm just completely exhausted trying to live this way.
Hang in there Robbie! If I can do this you can too.
I'm sorry to hear of all the trouble this awful anxiety has given you , I myself have wasted so much of my life and spent so much of it alone , the best years of my life . I am so glad to hear that you are too are getting the help you deserve . This site is a really good place and I am really glad to be here . Godspeed friend 
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,967
You made it to one meeting, awesome! Did you know you were in a room FULL of people who also have extreme social anxiety?
We go to save our own lives. When there consistently, we learn to relax in a group. We learn how to speak in small and large groups. We learn to live comfortably in our own skin. We learn to carry these new skills wherever we go!
There is so much more to tell you about what we learn. You made it through a meeting, why not challenge yourself and go again. You aren't different than anyone else there.
Best wishes on staying stopped!
We go to save our own lives. When there consistently, we learn to relax in a group. We learn how to speak in small and large groups. We learn to live comfortably in our own skin. We learn to carry these new skills wherever we go!
There is so much more to tell you about what we learn. You made it through a meeting, why not challenge yourself and go again. You aren't different than anyone else there.
Best wishes on staying stopped!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by sugarbear1
You made it to one meeting, awesome! Did you know you were in a room FULL of people who also have extreme social anxiety?
We go to save our own lives. When there consistently, we learn to relax in a group. We learn how to speak in small and large groups. We learn to live comfortably in our own skin. We learn to carry these new skills wherever we go!
There is so much more to tell you about what we learn. You made it through a meeting, why not challenge yourself and go again. You aren't different than anyone else there.
Best wishes on staying stopped!
We go to save our own lives. When there consistently, we learn to relax in a group. We learn how to speak in small and large groups. We learn to live comfortably in our own skin. We learn to carry these new skills wherever we go!
There is so much more to tell you about what we learn. You made it through a meeting, why not challenge yourself and go again. You aren't different than anyone else there.
Best wishes on staying stopped!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Macomb, Michigan
Posts: 65
Welcome Robbie. Thats great that you made it to a few meetings. While I do not have a social anxiety disorder (at least I don't think so), I know for me those first couple of meetings were rough. Try to keep going, it does get easier.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Originally Posted by Ksquared87
Welcome Robbie. Thats great that you made it to a few meetings. While I do not have a social anxiety disorder (at least I don't think so), I know for me those first couple of meetings were rough. Try to keep going, it does get easier.
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