Hi, everyone!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 19
Hi, everyone!
I'm new to posting but have been a long-time reader. Your stories have been a source of inspiration and comfort to me as I've dealt with what, at times, has been a big problem with alcohol.
I'm not even sure where to begin...there's a really long history of broken family relationships and emotional wreckage resulting in layer after layer of depression, anxiety, social phobia, etc. etc., the list goes on. All of which started long before I had my first drink at age 17. Binge drinking was fun in college but the 'phase' never really ended.
Now I find myself in my early 30s with a much different set of circumstances - raising a family, maintaining a career, trying to have semblance of a social life. Lots of stress along with it. So the drinking helps with the stress, but eventually becomes self-medicating...you pretty much know the story here.
A few weeks ago, I finally got sick of feeling like crap all the time. I became disappointed in myself for not having enough energy to do the things I really want. Nobody else did that to me - it was my fault.
I attended my first AA meeting recently. It took a great deal of courage. Once I went, I found a little piece of freedom that helped me begin to heal.
I've also been going to church a lot, on Sundays and other days. It's helped a great deal. I've been through counseling three times since age 16 for all the emotional baggage, but I am considering it again.
When I'm not drinking, I feel fantastic. I feel like I have the potential to change so many lives for the better. But then there's always the temptation to fall back into the darkness; a path that brings me nothing but frustration, heartache, and sadness. The struggle is avoiding that route.
So...that's about it for the first post...I'm sure more will be shared along the way as I get to know all the fine folks here. You motivate me and keep me going when the road gets rocky, so thank you!
I'm not even sure where to begin...there's a really long history of broken family relationships and emotional wreckage resulting in layer after layer of depression, anxiety, social phobia, etc. etc., the list goes on. All of which started long before I had my first drink at age 17. Binge drinking was fun in college but the 'phase' never really ended.
Now I find myself in my early 30s with a much different set of circumstances - raising a family, maintaining a career, trying to have semblance of a social life. Lots of stress along with it. So the drinking helps with the stress, but eventually becomes self-medicating...you pretty much know the story here.
A few weeks ago, I finally got sick of feeling like crap all the time. I became disappointed in myself for not having enough energy to do the things I really want. Nobody else did that to me - it was my fault.
I attended my first AA meeting recently. It took a great deal of courage. Once I went, I found a little piece of freedom that helped me begin to heal.
I've also been going to church a lot, on Sundays and other days. It's helped a great deal. I've been through counseling three times since age 16 for all the emotional baggage, but I am considering it again.
When I'm not drinking, I feel fantastic. I feel like I have the potential to change so many lives for the better. But then there's always the temptation to fall back into the darkness; a path that brings me nothing but frustration, heartache, and sadness. The struggle is avoiding that route.
So...that's about it for the first post...I'm sure more will be shared along the way as I get to know all the fine folks here. You motivate me and keep me going when the road gets rocky, so thank you!
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,576
Welcome AM! It's wonderful to have you join the family.
I wish I'd faced my drinking problem in my 30's. I went on for another 20 years and put myself & others through hell. This won't happen to you. We look forward to hearing more from you.
I wish I'd faced my drinking problem in my 30's. I went on for another 20 years and put myself & others through hell. This won't happen to you. We look forward to hearing more from you.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,067
Thanks for joining, AM.
Please post here often and offer your support to those who need it! Lately, a lot of people have joined SR and said they were quitting drinking but we never hear from them again. And there are those in a chronic state of relapse...
If you could do just a couple posts a day, that would be really cool.
Thanks!
"Coldy"
Please post here often and offer your support to those who need it! Lately, a lot of people have joined SR and said they were quitting drinking but we never hear from them again. And there are those in a chronic state of relapse...
If you could do just a couple posts a day, that would be really cool.
Thanks!
"Coldy"
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