I'm new here!

[onionshavelayers]

Hi everyone. I'm new here, but I've been reading posts over the last few days and I really appreciate this community and the way everyone props each other up (is it obvious I missed the horrible behavior a month or so ago?). I'm at a stressful time in my life and have several different fears and anxieties affecting me. I haven't seen a doctor about anything yet because I haven't really realized that I have problems until recently. In college and slightly after, when my anxiety really started due to a stressful class load and job, I spent every Friday night drinking heavily with friends because it seemed the thing to do. After graduation, an even worse job made me feel like drinking far more often than just the weekend. These days I try to drink much less and mostly succeed. I realize now that I was self-medicating, and think that a lot of my anxiety now comes with not coping correctly in the past...so my fears have ballooned because I can no longer get drunk and forget them or use the false confidence alcohol gave me to power through. For the last year my life has been in upheaval, so I thought I was just feeling normal stress...but my fears spiraled out of control just a few weeks ago, and now I'm realizing exactly how crippling my anxiety has become.

Anyway, I just want to end this post by saying that the people in this community have already helped me by being so open about their own fears, anxieties, etc., because you've made me realize that the way I'm feeling isn't really an acceptable way to live, and that I'm scared of things that others are scared of, and that I should be taking better care of myself. Thank you

[Sober2007]

Welcome to the group I did the same sort of self-medicating for years. I've been sober since 2007, but the challenges of depression and anxiety have remained. I do believe that there's nothing going on with me today that a drink will fix. At the same time, I am trying to learn new ways to recover from anxiety and depression by reaching out for help and getting involved with others who are facing similar challenges. It's encouraging to me that you are here and perhaps our paths will cross in this forum from time to time.

[onionshavelayers in reply to Sober2007]

Congratulations on your sobriety Sober2007! That's such a long time and truly a great achievement. I have struggled to give up drinking entirely because a lot of my friends, and even my partner, use it as a way to unwind, but now that I accept how damaging it is for me to use it to cope, it becomes a little easier each time to say "No thanks," no matter what everyone else is doing. It's certainly not the easiest path! But it's the healthiest one. Thank you for you kind words...I will be sure to look out for you on the forum!

[JAYnLA]

Welcome, onion! Glad to have you and your layers here.

[onionshavelayers in reply to JAYnLA]

Thank you JAYnLA!

[kittenkisses91]

Welcome! And I hope the group continues to help you like it has me!

[onionshavelayers in reply to kittenkisses91]

Thank you kittenkisses91! I have already found encouragement in the last few days just by reading others posts.

[tppppppp in reply to onionshavelayers]

I enjoy this group also. It's nice to know there are so many others battling the same stuff as I am.

[Agora1]

Onionshavelayers, Welcome to this amazing forum. You have just taken

a positive step forward. I'm glad you are here. xx