Oh I so know that feeling of, "oh my God, I'll never have a beer again...." I struggle with that daily. But the memory of the "last drunk" comes back and haunts me and that helps a lot. I felt a lot like an outsider too. I left my friends a long time ago, even before my drinking got really bad. But since being sober, the friends I thought were real aren't anymore, and that was killing me. Tried going to karaoke and stayed for a whopping 10 minutes and that killed me! But last night, I went for coffee with 3 girls from AA, and we had SO MUCH FUN! We understand each other! I'm haning out with one of them tomorrow night. I feel like these girls are my good friends now, and I've only known them a few weeks! Start reaching out to girls in the program. These girls and I are of varying ages, of which I'm the youngest! (just realized that), but we're really close to our lengths of sobriety. I think I'm the newest, with 40 days, and then it goes up to 90 days. I know I can count on them for anything and call them any time, and that realization has been a huge help. I love my sponser too, she's awesome! Anyway...I could ramble on and on and on about the great things that have happened to me in sobriety. I would like to thank you also, because it was good for me to be reminded of 'what's out there' as the oldtimers say. It took awhile for me to see why they kept saying the newcomers are important, but now I see it. Just keep in mind that by you sharing your story, you have helped us as well, and that's what this fellowship is all about!!!

Glad to know you bama. And that's awesome you have been given this gift so early. I'm thankful I hit bottom at 26. So I'm sorta close in age, hehe. Feel free to PM anytime!!!

Truly greatful for another day in paradise,
Rayna