I can relate.... I also suffered from ptsd which, I later learned, was triggering my drinking. It was discovered during my intake for the IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) I attended. While in the IOP, I was treated for ptsd, which made it alot easier to stay sober! After the IOP I was referred for more counseling which lasted for 3 months. Throughout all the treatment I had, regular attendance at AA meetings were a requirement. That was 9 years ago. Today, I have a great life and I have never been happier!

The best place to start would be with your family doctor who will evaluate you and discuss available treatment options. Good luck!

God Bless

no wonder I always like you Looney! LOL You were drinking and I am a drunk in recovery....so the fact you say you will be lonely is enough to tell you that you are never alone when in a 12 step program like AA.,,...so see who you like in the first meeting and ask them to be your temporary sponsor to give calls to them when you are thinking of drinking or daily as it might be that important to talk to someone daily....hugs and you can do it....then we can have recovery talks together here right? Hugs bill

Thanks for the good advice bob. Much appreciated. I don't have much trust or faith in people but I will give AA a go.

Hi Bill. Great to hear from you after all this time :)
I'm sure you will be a good support again as you were in the other groups.
The first day is usually the easiest for me then after a while I think I can handle drinking again. This is what made me face I need help.

you never need to pick up another drink friend....just one day at a time....never again....

Hi Looney, anxiety and ptsd fueled my drinking as well to squelch the surges of anxiety and adrenaline, but my MO has always been to shut people out before i get shut out and manufactured my own lonliness. The level of support here is inspiring, though. :) Happy New Life Day!!

Thanks so much. Day 2 now and so far so good. I'm still feeling drained but ok. I'm sure we can do this. I meditated this morning for the first time in ages. I've got to work on my belief that I deserve a decent life of not drinking and not giving up. I will try to come here every day to give and get support.

Hey, I wonder if now wouldn't be a good time to try and reconnect with your family members. I know that drinking a lot will slowly impact your relationships in a negative way and you said you've lost your family supports but it might be good to try.

My sister has a long term alcohol problem and I finally had to cut things off with her, because anything I did just got turned around to support the drinking. I would be so tickled if she ever decided to give up drinking. I'd want to talk to her every day and be a positive support. Maybe someone in your family feels the same way.

Thank you for the good advice Gutted. I know it's a logical assumption to think drinking affected my family relationships but this is far from the case. I have only been drinking regularly for about 10 years and then it's off and on. The toxic family situation started from birth unfortunately and is the major cause of my ptsd. There is no way in the world I would go back for more of the same. I'm stupid but not that stupid lol. Thanks for caring.