im a 25 year old alcoholic. it has recently come to my attention. i am trying to get sober, and i have never been more depressed in my life. im extremely lonely and sad all the time. all my friends drink and smoke. i want to stop so i can be healthy again.

i recently told my family, and they are very supportive, but i still cant help but feel as if i am alone in the world. every moment of the day i think about this. i want to cry all the time. i want to get better. i want a successful relationship. i want to regain confidence and control over my life before it is too late.

for everyone else on the road, or those that have recovered: have you felt this way? does it get better? can you recommend through past experiences ways to aliviate the mental/physical anguish?

i know that i am very hard on myself, but i am feeling very lonely, had a bad break up awhile ago, too.

any advice helps.

thanks

CJ

Hi cj.. i'm also a alcoholic. i'm 23. i'm struggling with it everyday. it recently came to my attention ./ i also have become depressed and lonely. I really want to stop but . i've only cut back.. i hope soon it gets better. What hapened in your life that u came to te realization that alcohol has taken over? i always like to hear about other expierences. thanks:)

My best advice is to get to know people who have successfully stopped. I am a big advocate of 12 step programs like AA. I realize there are other things out there and some people do get sober without AA. But when you're lonely and depressed, it helps to be around people who have been through what you're going through. It helps to talk to them, it helps to listen to them because I can guarantee that you can relate to at least a little bit of their story. And some of the things they did to get sober and stay there happily just might help you too. I've made some great friends in those 12 step programs and they have helped me through so much stuff you wouldn't believe. Those people were there when my own family wasn't.

When I first walked through those doors, I didn't think I belonged there. And I sure as heck didn't want to be there. But I'm glad I stayed.

Barb

Noaone, your feelings are very common! When you first get clean all your old wounds come to the surface because they are no longer being numbed. You have to feel them for them to heal. Don't think that they will last forever, you can now work on coping with these feelings and dealing with them in a healthier way.

Like bosmom said, 12-step programs are great. I've been in AA for almost a year now, and it is very helpful. You will be surrounded by people going through the same things as you, and they can all share their experiences. Being surrounded by people who are just as nuts as you is a great way to feel better :)

I think the most important part of staying sober is to develop a spiritual way of life. You cay try praying, meditating, reading some spiritual books, helping others, etc. Don't feel that I'm trying to force God down your throat, this is just what worked for me. A few books that I like are:

The Sermon on the Mount - Emmet Fox
A Course In Miracles
A Return To Love - Marianne Williamson
Coversations With God - Neale Donald Walsch

Quitting alcohol without changing your way of living and thinking will make you miserable and most likely go back to drinking. Getting sober is a beautiful journey, you are not missing out on anything by not drinking, really! Good luck :)