Hi... I'm new too. Just reading about everyone's difficulties, so many different things, yet causing the same discouragement everywhere.

When I was little, my dad never talked to me about anything and he kept everything inside. I still don't really know who he is or what it is in his childhood that caused him to be the way he is. I see how my brother has taken on some similar behaviors, because he didn't have the proper role model.

I learned to communicate (because i didn't have much of a clue either) through educating myself (ie. university, college, therapy: group & individual, anonymous groups: EA, SLAA, through church: prayer groups). I didn't know how to express my anger & frustrations properly, which tended to affect my relationships, so I have an idea of what you are going through.

Be patient. Inform yourself as much as possible through this site, because it has invaluable information. It takes time to learn all this, but there is definitely hope for a normal future, so take heart.