it can be complicated. Sometimes it takes longer than we think it might to change your life. You may want to consider making new friends. Maybe start hanging out with people who don't drink.

You may still be a little unsure of yourself. As time goes on, you will regain your self esteem.

I'm no expert. I'm just trying to give you some things to think about.

Hope it helps.

Hi time2, Yeah i hope my confidence does grow so i can venture out into the world and find friends who don't drink. Iv'e always used either drink or drugs for confidence but then comes the consequences. Thanks for the advice :) Jay

When I quit drinking I had to make new friends and go places where drinking wasn't the order of the day. Took a few months, But it began to happened. It's well worth working at.

Hugs,
Dennis

I wish I could help, but I was the complete opposite. Alcohol was the reason for my isolation!

Crazy how it can affect us in different ways, but still manages to destroy us all the same.

My advice to you is do whatever you can and whatever works for you to get sober for awhile! Then reassess your social situation. Severe anxiety is a very common problem when you first quit drinking.

Best of luck my friend!

Hi thanks people for the advice, i have a massive cross addiction to prescription pain killers and benzos so that coupled with alcohol withdrawal is like a double hit. i know i can beat this though it's just a really slow process getting off these meds. I think if it was just alcohol my recovery would be much more smooth because all the times iv stopped drinking, alot of the time iv turned to meds for comfort, it's a vicious cycle and i really want to beat it :)

Just keep coming back.

Hi and welcome.
I can relate. Its hard to learn to do stuff sober but it gets easier, until it gets really fun. At least that's been my experience. I got sober with a bunch of friends in my social circle who didnt. They were fine with me not drinking, it was me who had to learn to socialize without being drunk.
AA and the fellowship has helped in that regard. I've brought along sober friends as sober wing women when I've needed it and I needed it alott in early sobriety. Now I can go anywhere, and do anything I want socially. I have spent time at music events in bars and listened happily to music. A drink didnt seem like an alternative and does not today either.
Living sober is a simple AA book. i've found it SUPER helpful. You can find it online.

Give yourself some time.
I found going to meetings helped me.
All the best
Hugs

Meetings do help. Nice to talk to people that can relate to your problems.

Yeah i'm going to try an AA/NA meeting soon there's alot in my area to go to, i'm just working up the courage to go to one to be honest :)

Don't be afraid Jay! You need do nothing but sit in the back and listen, thats all. Just listen.

God Bless!

My suggestion is to face your fears. "going out" one step at a time and one day at a time.

I suffered from anxity big time when I quit drinking because I had isolated myself for years. I just gradually faced my fears and over come them.

Isolation is never good and from my exp. I needed to get uncomfortable and get out in social settings etc.. before I could get comfortable in the world of recovery.

Jay,
The outer shakes take about 3-4 days to stop. The inner shakes depend entirely on you my friend. What interests do you have that do not have booze in them. This may take some hard thinking to figure out cuz we are used to including booze in everything we do. You might investigate taking a course on anything that interests you at a local college or you might try joining a church for a more social settings. Only you can decide this. Remember, when you feel like isolating it the disease talking not you. Eric

I have been there and I know how difficult it is when you are dealing with multiple issues. I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD. I had times when I felt so anxious that I couldn't drive or go out. The food program that I followed really helped. I no longer have depression, anxiety and my PTSD symptoms are under control.

You cannot heal from this in isolation. How is your diet? Are you eating? Just eating breakfast in the morning with some protein and a complex carb will make a huge difference. It is one step in the right direction. You have a lot on your plate my friend and white knuckling this isn't necessary anymore. Once you get some healing under your belt you will feel more like getting out. Until you do come here and feel free to personal message me if you wish to get some free online help with this.

Laura