Hi, my name is Bri. I’m 32. Recovering alcoholic and addict. I thought I’d start a thread for those of us who have been struggling with finding a community.
I personally have tried AA meetings, zoom meetings.. I don’t know if I’m just doing everything wrong, but I feel out of place like I don’t fit anywhere. Like I can’t connect with anyone.
Maybe we can get a great support group going here and work our way up to having our own meetings! Genuinely interested.
Hey Bri! I know folks used to have Zoom meetings here a few years ago. Even without meetings, this can be a very healing and supportive community. Lots of members find support on the daily check in thread, maybe check it out if you’re interested.
Hope to see you around. 
I check in on that thread almost daily!
Hello Bri,
I have managed to stay sober for 5 years (and counting) with the help of this forum, reading lots of quit lit and listening to lots of podcasts. Despite never actually attending a meeting, I felt that I would not get along with AA. Maybe I just didn’t have the courage to try. Whatever the reason, I didn’t use AA.
I just wanted to let you know that it is possible to stop drinking without it.
People on here will be sick of hearing me recommending This Naked Mind, by Annie Grace - but it worked well for me.
Good luck.
5 years is amazing! I see that maybe it isn’t for everyone.
I have 3 months and counting. I hear about it working for others, but it just hasn’t for me. thanks for the recommendation!
I second the recommendation. A great start. I also really liked Quit Like A Woman by Holly Whitaker.
I understand the feeling wanting to find a community you feel comfortable participating in and of the feeling like you don’t fit, especially in AA/NA meetings.
Gratefully I am still in contact with a couple people I met in AA meetings around 12 years ago when I was going through my second inpatient rehabilitation program. But like you, I struggle to feel like I can authentically connect with most people in the rooms nowadays. Honestly I may just need to try some new or different meetings!
TS is actually the first community where I’ve been comfortable to share my struggles and accomplishments with in quite some time! I’d love to participate in this thread, I’m always open to finding new avenues of support and opportunities for community.
Great work getting 3 months under your belt, I’m looking forward to hearing more about your sober journey as well as sharing more about mine! 
I actually hadn’t heard of this book, I will definitely give it a listen! I need a break from my usual stream of science fiction books!
Thanks for the recommendation
Yeah I feel it may be due to inconsistency. I can’t always get to in-person and the Zoom doesn’t feel right. I’m not giving up on ‘em though!
I truly want to find my people. I’m happy to hear you’ve still got some contacts. Makes me feel better to know im not alone in this although I do want more for the both of us!
I’ll share a little of my story tonight as a real intro to the thread 
Have you maybe tried an alternative program. I didn’t do well with AA but I love recovery dharma. Some prefer SMART and others. Just a little thought. I’m always around if you ever want to chat.
I’ve never even heard of those so I’ll definitely be checking them out! Thank you so much.
Just wanted to do an intro, tell a little about myself. My name is Abrianna. I’m 32 years old. Recovering alcoholic and addict. Drug of choice was cocaine but also whatever was put in my hands at any given moment. I started drinking and smoking when I was 17, right after my Grandmother passed away. It’s when my mental health started to decline as well. I hardly remember huge chunks of my life unless someone reminds me of things. And even then it’s a toss up of if I’ll recall it. I spent the past 3 years inebriated and high just about everyday. Even going to work in that condition so you could guess I struggled to hold down jobs. Waking up needing drugs and alcohol. Not sleeping. Doing everything I can to not be sober. Not caring how it was physically affecting me. I didn’t care because I didn’t want to live anymore. I had given up on life.
This last year I became the most angry version of myself and I hated her. Then I met someone that softened me. That made me see myself in a better light. It wasn’t until I risked losing them that I decided to make my changes. I can say it started out being for her, but it ended with all of it being for me. I did it almost entirely alone.
As of now, I have 3 months free of alcohol. 6 months free of cocaine and more.. it was also day1 of me quitting vaping. I made it.
I’ve struggled recently with fitting into support groups or AA. Since I can’t really attend many in-person meetings, I’ve jumped onto Zoom. Something about it keeps me disconnected. I just want to find a great support group that checks in and holds our own meetings. Something.
Thank you for sharing your story, Abrianna. What you’ve been through, and the honesty and strength it took to walk away from it, really matters!
Three months sober from alcohol, six months sober from cocaine, and quitting vaping on top of that is huge, especially after carrying so much for so long.
You’re not alone in struggling to feel connected in traditional spaces, and it makes sense to want something more personal and supportive.
I’m really glad you’re here, and I hope you find a community that reflects the resilience and self-worth you’re clearly building!
Thank you so much! Means more than you know.
Halfway through my journey when I first started, I relapsed on alcohol and took pills to end my life. Was hospitalized, did IOP for months, and I can say it honestly changed my life. It SAVED my life.
I appreciate you a lot Alex, for reading my story and engaging. I pray you’re well and I look forward to hearing more about you! 
I’m sorry you felt like ending your life was your best option after your relapse. I’ve struggled with suicidal ideation for years so understand how powerful those thoughts can be, especially when intoxicated. That must have been incredibly difficult, I’m really glad you recovered and got professional help!
I’m very grateful you were willing to share, reading and responding is what I would hope someone would do for me. Gotta abide by the golden rule whenever I can!
My first attempt to share my story here was incredibly long and a little hard to follow at times, so I’m going to try to condense it and make it a little easier to follow! I’ll work on that tomorrow!
I have over 6 years with a very similar toolkit. Also can’t recommend This Naked Mind enough.
Yes I would love to hear your story. I had a little bit of a hard time writing it because there’s so much more to tell. I don’t know how to tell it.
I’m glad I’m in a better spot now.
For me when i got sober no internet or social media or mobiles as such but AA was there for me and saved my life i know times have changed but AA has been going since 1935 and is still here for me what ever keeps you sober thats great wish you well
I want it to work for me, but I am still doing good so I hold onto that. congrats on all your success and wishing you well
I find that with my busy lifestyle a mix of in person meetings, zoom meetings, and this place works good.
Its almost impossible for me to make in person meetings. I do enjoy visiting meetings if im traveling. I like conventions too.
I like listening to zoom meetings. There’s always a new one starting. I can work an listen. I hear a lot of good things listening.
This place has been my main 24/7
Its easy to access. Many awesome people. Its always in my pocket.