I’m nearly 3 months sober & I’m really struggling today. I wasn’t aware of the severity of already present mental health issues once you stop drinking. I’ve been isolating the entire time, mostly due to the fact all of my connections were made because of drinking. I’m afraid to socialize at all now for fear of relapsing or coming across as boring to my old friends. Any suggestions on how to navigate this area of life right now?
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Well, for starts, you’re doing the right thing coming here. Zoom meetings are a good start. Getting plugged into something that helps you keep talking about your issues helps the most. Just don’t pick up and eventually things will get better. Good luck
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Hi, I went through the exact same thing. What helped for me was to force my way out of my comfort zone which was my house and I started to attend a local support group for depression and anxiety. It was free and I found myself looking forward to going to them regularly. I’m sure it’s common practice at all of them that they make it clear that you can talk as little or as much as you want. I don’t think I said a word until my third meeting. I hope this helps.
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Hi Raven! I had no idea how much anxiety I had until I stopped drinking. AA meetings were a blessing for me. It took a few kind souls to help me when I wasn’t capable of helping myself. I suggest you commit to going for a week. What have you got to lose? 
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Please know that you are not alone. I used to drink in order to cover up all of the horrible thoughts running through my mind. Take away the alcohol and it is like someone shined a massive spotlight on every last one of them all at once. It can seem unbearable until you realize that your drug of choice was not covering up those feelings and issues, it was making them worse. I can't fix what tears me apart when I am actively drinking, but I have a fighting chance to live a happy life if I try to tackle my issues sober.
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I have been there it’s feel awful but just gotta take a deep breath and believe in your self
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I found something that I love to keep me busy. I chose to dive into yoga and I focused hard at hard putting in long hours. It kept me busy, active, productive, and I made new friends at yoga.
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Thank you for the encouragement and suggestion! I like the idea of zoom meetings and will look into that.
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I appreciate you sharing what’s worked for you. That’s a big one for me, getting out of my comfort zone. Finding a local support group would definitely be a challenge and push me out of the safety net of my house.
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I’ve always convinced myself that I was never “bad off” enough to attend an AA meeting. I’m still not very open to the idea BUT you’re right, I have nothing to lose by going.
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It’s good to know I’m not alone in this. That’s the scariest thing, not being numb anymore and having to sit with that spotlight shining in your face, so to speak. I love your attitude and want to continue to address my issues sober. Thanks for the reminder 
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That seems to be the key; finding things you enjoy to fill the free time, which there seems to be so much more of.
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Just remember AA works for millions of people, but if you don’t think it’s for you there are other options and other paths to recovery. It’s definitely hard to do it on your own, I’m sure, if not AA you’ll find something that you’ll be comfortable with. Let me know if you’re not aware of the different options out there…I wasn’t.
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When I start out in my recovery my panic attacks were bad. You don’t realize you are struggling with mental health issues when you are high all the time. I had to force myself to get to meetings. Find a support system of women. Get phone numbers. Listen at the meetings find a woman you relate to. Ask if she can sponsor you. I also started counseling and see a Psychiatrist things got much better. I am on meds. But my anxiety is better. The fears I have I work everyday to change into faith. Weather it be in meetings or your high power. I hope this has helped you. It gets better. Just hold on. Don’t pick up. Take it one minute at a time if need be. Good luck
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I really do need a support system that consists of women, so thank you for that suggestion as well as the others. I appreciate it!
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It took me to throw my shelf in to meetings for a year.it all got better.fear would of held me back.
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I know how you feel girl! I felt like a better more interesting person to be around when I was intoxicated. Being social was just second nature (or so I thought). But I was truthfully wild, out of control and unpredictable. The real us is way more worthwhile to be around. It may take awhile to acclimate to life as sober you, but that’s who we’re meant to be.
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