I used to feel this way. But it was my own defenses and disease at work. I was so scared of being hurt or rejected that I let very few people get close to me.

I self medicated for years with alcohol, and became more and more ashamed and isolated, I basically pushed my friends away, and did very much feel like I was on my own.

But when I had my crisis in 06 and sought my first help for my addiction and subsequent treatment for depression and PTSD, I slowly started letting people into my life. I reached out to old friends, and I opened up to them, and told them I was struggling. The response was overwhelmingly positive. I also started going to AA, and met people there, who seemed happy to see me. Eventually the evidence was so overwhelming I had to accept that people liked me, warts and all, and so maybe therefore I'm likeable. That was a huge leap.

Today I have a large and healthy support system, both on-line and IRL. I have friends that I just hang out with and have fun, and friends I can call on when I'm struggling. I have an incredible treatment team - both for addictions and mental health, and I know they genuinely care about how I'm doing.

Maybe I was just lucky, but I found by opening up and letting people in, I got great support.

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