So today is 17 days clean from alcohol and pills. I feel ashamed. Ashamed with myself for being an addict, ashamed when telling friends and family. Embarrassed that I’m an addict. Confused as i dont know what or how im supposed to be feeling. I havent been to a meeting yet because (yep, you guessed it, I’m embarrassed).
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Congrats on 17 days. I was embarassed early on. Now i sport sober warrior tshirts and am proud to be fighting for my recovery. Sobriety isnt easy but boy is it worth it. Try a few different aa meetings. Every one has a different feel.
Wish you well
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Oh I know the feeling! But please stick around here. You’ll find a lot of compassion, and you’ll probably feel it towards others, and then… give yourself some self-compassion too, ok? And be proud! You have 17 days! You’re worth a sober life. It’s never too late. 
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Your feelings are natural and common. Remember that at any meeting you will meet has been in the samw place as you. What is most important is the great decision you have made going forward for yourself!
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It can be hard to take on that label. (Some prefer not to). A meeting will help because you will see other people who are also addicts, but are also just people. Hopefully there will be some people further along in their journey so you can see you can be an addict, but also an employee, a parent, a contributing member of society. An addict is just a part, and a part that can be controlled.
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The first couple days after I got way too drunk were really tough. I was so mad at myself, and embarrassed. This wasn’t the first time in the last few months. You feel like a liability when people get together, you know people think you could take a turn at any point. I am a week sober, and I’m excited (and also nervous) about the road ahead. I know I can do it, and I have a good support system.
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Congrats… embarrassment is a normal thing… I go through the same emotions… I binge drink from time to time… what finally got me to stop is when my kiddo asked what an addict means and I explained it to her… and she compared me to it… that’s embarrassing to me and it hit me like a rock… which I finally stopped… the cravings stopped finally bc I finally changed my mindset… continue with the road of recovery
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Very understandable. I initially was embarrassed because I’m an alcoholic. Now when I think about drinking again and all the potentially embarrassing things I could do while drunk? Keeps me from picking up!
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Telling you right now man that you gotta be thankful for that time you have accumulated, the shame and everything is also a good reminder of where you don’t want to return. Speaking from experience, at least, that’s my take on the guilt and embarrassment of our conditions. However, I prefer it compared to living in lala land with pie-in-the-sky, bubble headed delusions about how everything is okay when it seriously isn’t. Keep it up soldier, shame is a reminder to love yourself.
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I think, Shame is part of withdrawal
Go thru it
Tell your story
It works