Reaching out for some positive comments. (Knowing I can almost always come here to get some good insight.) I received some news yesterday and just can’t seem to shake it. Without getting into too much detail, it’s a family court matter that has been dragging on for a year and a half. All because of a relationship I WAS in and because of the drinking I WAS doing. The stuff still bites you in the rear! Seems that I can’t move forward because this is holding me in my past. That has always been my number one thing too, if it’s in the past leave it in the past! We are not who we USE to be. Any who! Thanks for listening. (Or reading rather.) I know “it’ll all come together” one day, but right now, other words of encouragement (or a person who studies legal matters) would be great! 
Yes our past may haunt us for a very long time like a ghost or an evil step mother.. I have found if you don't have a past in this life you're lying or you haven't really lived by golly. Just keep cleaning up your side of the street and doing the next right thing and adjust as needed and you may get to the point of happily ever after.... Or a place that doesn't bite you in the rear so much.
It will all work out. You have over 13 months sober. As long as you're doing the right thing, and taking the next indicated step, that's all you can do. My past bites me everyday. I try to just live by the serenity prayer, despite how corny that sounds...
I love that I’m hearing some positivity from this post (even if it’s not front and center). You know that things will work out, and that’s great. Just please hold onto that and keep making the next right move. Trust that because you are doing your best and staying sober, that things will work out. Much love
My last drunk put me in the court system too. Probation officer, whiz quizzes, fines, shame/embarrassment/difficulty understanding my part/where I am right/where I am wrong etc etc. THAT is my experience over the last 11 months. It's gotten so much better. And now I feel free in pretty much every way. .
“It seems as if I can’t move forward because this is holding me in my past”. That’s the line you have to work on Katie. You have come so far, and you are doing so well. That one negative thought your mind is telling you is bs! There’s nothing holding you back. Keep doing what you’re doing! When that negative 
pops up, be aware of it…and do whatever works for you to shut it up. Your world WAS falling apart. Now it’s all coming together
Thank you! And I do highly agree with you. Unfortunately there are people in my life (who I cannot rid of) that don’t want to see the new me. They are the ones stuck in my past. And though I work daily and keep moving forward, their outlook is still stuck. And no, there’s no changing their views. Trust me! People who live in a lie will never be able to change their opinions when they are stuck on it. It’s just dumb!
Sometimes our past is our best asset. It's a reminder of where we were in life but doesn't define who we are today. You will get through this and it will make you a stronger person. Remember WE got this 
Our past can haunt us for sometime, this is true, but with out that we would not be able to truly change. Our past experiences we can learn from and use to shape our future. I struggle with this but in one of the books I read it finally hit me that if we embrace the errors of our past and learn from them we can change our future. Remember God knows you and has a plan for you. Everything will work. You are headed down the right path and it will work out. You have accomplished a lot in 13 months, just think what you can accomplish in 13 years.
Thank you. I think some people took my post the wrong way. I have moved forward and have come to terms with my past. I’ve learned a lot and know I won’t ever be that person again. BUT there are people out there who think otherwise and treat me as I’m still that person. Heck, treat me as I’m still the person I was 6 months ago. They are the ones with the problem of living in the past, they are truly stuck in it. Which, one would thing that wouldn’t be the case as said person is an addict as well. They just haven’t worked any programs, as you and many would be able to tell.
I still have people doing that.
I’m not a family law guy, but I am an attorney. Feel free to reach out if I can help you understand what’s going on or what your options might be.
Thank you
It’s really hard to feel judged based on a past (non-existent) version of you. It’s not fair. It’s not helpful. And it can be SO frustrating. Definitely been there. But building trust and repairing relationships takes time. Everyone is different. Everyone’s timing is different. Since it sounds like a situation you’re legally bound to for the time being, try to meet these people with compassion. Knowing what it’s like to be in their mindset. As the saying goes, kill ‘em with kindness. If not for them, then for your own sake and peace of mind. Love and more love is always the answer.
When the Government is involved they want us to eat our own sh!t so keep working your recovery program and try to bracket that court stuff off the best you can. It’s not ever uplifting.