Hello, I'm new!
 

I'm a 29 year old female from the sunny Caribbean. I'm two weeks sober as of today.

I have a lot of trouble fitting in, as I'm naturally introverted. For years I used alcohol to overcome shyness and anxiety. It was fine at first. I enjoyed the popularity of being an "it" girl, but eventually the facade started crumbling and I had to drink more and more to keep up outward appearances. Things got worse when I was diagnosed with ADHD and depression. After a string of alcohol-related failures in my career, friendships and love, I've decided to quit drinking entirely.

I don't have any friends to confide in at the moment (my ex got them all after our recent breakup), so I joined SR to find a support system for myself. It hasn't been easy at all but I keep telling myself, "one day at a time." Hopefully one day I'll be one who can offer advice and inspiration to others on this forum!

Welcome to SR!

You will have good support here, the folks are very nice.

Welcome, SunshinePepper :wave: It's great to have you on board :hug:

Welcome and continue your progress. One of the best pieces of advise I got was "keep coming." That turned out to be invaluable.

BE WELL

Welcome sunshinepepper, you will get plenty of support here.
Congrats on your decision and 2 weeks.
Is it possible to find an aa meeting where you live?

AA Caribbean

Welcome to SR, sunshinepepper. And congrats on 2 sober weeks. Glad you found us. I have only been here for 2 months but it feels like home.

Welcome, congrats on 2 weeks. You'll find lots of support and understanding here. :)

I didn't know about this! Thanks so much for the link.

Welcome Sunshinepepper xxx

Greetings sunshinepepper. You're among friends who care and understand.

I drank to calm my nerves and anxiety. In the end it only made things worse. I didn't mature the way I should have. Staying numb I avoided having the necessary feelings & emotions to grow. I wish I'd realized what I was doing to myself at 29 - it took me much longer. I'm glad you're here. :)

Welcome sunshinepepper :)

I'm not as outgoing as I was when drinking - but this is the real me. It's no mistake that the friends I have now, who know the real me, are worth their weight in gold.

There's lots of support here - I'm glad you've found us :)

D

I started drinking because I thought it helped me relax and made me more interesting. At the end of my run, I was an unreliable nervous wreck. Congratulations on a firm two weeks. Best of luck, as well.

Welcome SunshinePepper - you'll find lots of love and support here from all different types of people that will teach you lots - have open ears, an open mind, and an open heart.

Welcome sunshinepepper and congratulations on your decision to put down the drink.

I can relate as I too used booze to 'aid' my anxiety and shyness in social situations. A few years down the line both were way worse than before.

You will find lots of support here :)

Hi and Welcome Sunshinepepper.
Well done on two weeks sober.
Lots of info and help here at SR xx

Congrats on two weeks sober and welcome to the SR family. :hug:

Welcome SunshinePepper, hope you hang on for the ride on the sober train! Congrats! Stay Strong and Well ! Bobby

Wow, thanks for the support everyone! I'm finding it a bit difficult at the moment so it was really helpful to read these kind words.

Keep reading and posting, sunshinepepper. You don't need to fight this alone :grouphug:

Welcome Sunshine! I'm exactly the same. I started drinking as a way to overcome my shyness and social anxiety until it all went too far. I've decided to tackle my anxieties without alcohol. I hope you find lots of support here. :)