[NothingNew88]

I don't know what I'm doing here. I just felt like I needed to talk with someone. When I realized I couldn't talk to my friends about anything serious, I realized they aren't real friends which is even more depressing. I pushed away the only person that I could tell everything. I struggle with Social anxiety and alcoholism. They go hand in hand for me. Sometimes, I feel like I'm going to lose my mind if I don't have a drink. Today was one of those days. Anyway, I don't want to really go into my story now. I was just feeling absolutely miserable and wanted to talk. I hope there aren't many of you who feel this badly.

[DayAtATime1]

Hi NothingNew - take comfort in knowing you are not alone. Though our stories are all unique, many of us struggle with depression or other forms of mental illness. I drank for decades to help my social anxiety. I guess I stopped drinking 3 yrs ago because I was taking psych meds (still am). I still have a long way to go, but I think quitting alcohol was an important step. Not to say that there aren't days where I'd like a drink or two!

Feel free to tell us as much, or little, of your story...

[JohnCrow]

Originally Posted by NothingNew88

I don't know what I'm doing here. I just felt like I needed to talk with someone. When I realized I couldn't talk to my friends about anything serious, I realized they aren't real friends which is even more depressing. I pushed away the only person that I could tell everything. I struggle with Social anxiety and alcoholism. They go hand in hand for me. Sometimes, I feel like I'm going to lose my mind if I don't have a drink. Today was one of those days. Anyway, I don't want to really go into my story now. I was just feeling absolutely miserable and wanted to talk. I hope there aren't many of you who feel this badly.

Sometimes even saying (writing, in this case) the issue can give you clarity. Moving the words outside your mind can make them solid and you can acknowledge the problem and begin to at least look for solutions (caveat: I suffer from dysthymia, am a complete loser, am socially inept and, until recently, more than a bit of a know-it-all. Despite a lifetime of being told I was smart, I have to come to realize I am only a good actor with a mind for trivia and am, in fact, a bit thick)

With drinking until you say "I have a problem with alcohol" you cannot work towards freeing yourself of the 'demon in a bottle'

Although I am not an alcoholic, many in my family have been. And are. And I feel its siren call. I am a teetotaller, not because I want to be but because I must be

And, because I am an **** retentive jerk, I wanted to thank you for saying badly, rather than bad as, I assume, you feel awful, not evil. Too often good grammar goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

[Fizzyo]

Originally Posted by NothingNew88

I don't know what I'm doing here. I just felt like I needed to talk with someone. When I realized I couldn't talk to my friends about anything serious, I realized they aren't real friends which is even more depressing. I pushed away the only person that I could tell everything. I struggle with Social anxiety and alcoholism. They go hand in hand for me. Sometimes, I feel like I'm going to lose my mind if I don't have a drink. Today was one of those days. Anyway, I don't want to really go into my story now. I was just feeling absolutely miserable and wanted to talk. I hope there aren't many of you who feel this badly.

Welcome to PC and thank you for having the courage to share with us. I hope you will find some of the support you need here. There are people here with similar experiences to yours who will understand and want to help in some way.

People here have helped me through some dark times and I hope you get as much encouragement from this community as I have.