Hi all!
I don't post too often (or ever), but I do read through the forums and posts every night and have for the last couple years.
In short, I spent about 5 years secretly binge drinking myself to sleep, using alcohol to cope with whatever problems and stressors I was experiencing and feeling alone and hopeless. I self medicated my depressive symptoms and many times felt like that was going to be the rest of my life and that there was no way out. No one ever knew that I had alcohol issues, and I was very good at hiding it and not letting it affect the rest of my life.
Through a combination of using this website, getting counselling, setting some goals properly and personal strength I am confident in saying I am in better control of my drinking. My goal is too be able to drink socially without needing to binge, and to not drink by myself. I do slip up here and there, but compared to my 'old self' I feel much less hopeless about it and am better able to get myself back on track.
One of the reasons I am posting is because my counsellor wants me to tell someone about my previous drinking habits to be able to share with others what I have accomplished. I'm still hesitant to share this with others because I'm afraid of judgement from others or losing friends that don't understand addiction.
I'm really thankful for all the posts that everyone has put up and for being able to notch more 0s than I ever have in my diary.
Continuing to stay strong, I am in such a happier place than I have been the last 5-6 years and wanted to post to share, and let others know that it can be done
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Thanks for reading !
KJ
