Embarrassed to open up

I want to be more active in some of the posting that goes on here, but all I can think of is if someone I know sees? That’s probably just paranoia but I work in a very sensitive field. I don’t think people would approve of me if they knew I struggle with addiction. Anyone else feel this way?

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You go under a different name so I don’t think it will affect you. I understand where you’re coming from, though. Just share as much as you can because it helps us and yourself.

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I get it. I had some reservations like that in the beginning, and honestly it’s understandable. I’m completely open now, but don’t let that hinder you from posting. You don’t have a pic and you don’t use your name. You can share in ways that no one would know, but it’s still helpful for you (change the place or names in your shares).

Get creative! Either way, no judgement here!

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I guess there is a part of me that doesn’t want to be completely anonymous. I like the idea of posting pictures to certain threads

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I do love me some pictures!

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@Elisabeth me too!

I feel like fully participating will help me heal as well because I could really become a member of the community and not some mystery chick lol

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My loved ones say I shouldn’t care, at least I am actively seeking help

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What @Oliverjava said. I will just be denying everything, lol. I’m uh, writing a paper, and I needed to emerge myself fully in the AA culture :wink:

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The odds of you being recognized by someone here are pretty slim. There are people from all over the world, thousands of posts and replies, many of us sharing very similar experiences and realizing that we are far from alone in all of this. The more I think about it the more I feel like someone would almost have to be actively stocking you to figure it out lol.

It was already recommended that you start by sharing only what you are comfortable with, and take it from there. We don’t need to know you inside and out in order for you to be accepted and welcomed as one of the community. I don’t think anyone cares what your real name is or what you look like. I don’t see what details would be so unique as to define you, would be needed to share your experiences etc.

I can’t speak for everyone but…if your here asking for help and support with something your struggling with, then your automatically part of the club :blush: welcome!

As for sharing pics and stuff, sometimes I think about wanting to do that, maybe one day I will, but in the mean time there’s plenty of opportunity for me to fully participate here.

And don’t forget: it’s not all about you. Most people are too caught up in their own problems to judge you as harshly as you judge yourself…those who do take the time to judge you are most likely just working reallllly hard at not looking themselves in the mirror, so don’t pay hem too much attention. :blush:

So yah…welcome to the club! Glad to have you around :upside_down_face:

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You can post often and remain anonymous. As others have said - you can choose what aspects of your life to share. I’ve been posting/commenting nearly every day since the beginning of the year and no one knows what I look like in real life, what state I live in, or my real name. I’ve posted pictures of my cat though! :blush:

I like the idea of sharing pictures too but some of the subjects I talk about are so personal (trauma, self-harm, etc) that I’d rather not have an actual picture of myself for the general public to connect with my words. Maybe one day I will change my mind. But please don’t be embarrassed. We love new people. Join in! :slight_smile:

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I feel this way.I am a business owner and I worry that people might recognize me from on here if come into my business. Also I dont want a good amount of people seeing me on here and gossiping.Its permanent. Its not like when you go to a meeting, what is said on here is written down. You do take that risk.

I still post openly on here but make sure not to post my face.

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I feel the same but hope with time I can change it but for now it’s helping me day to day so anonymous it is for now. :wink:

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@Steen same.Its not worth giving this up, this app has helped me through so much and I dont want to risk it.

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Thank you to everyone for your feedback :blush: I just want to get the most out of this experience, as well as help others at some point, as I gain more knowledge and experience

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@Needhelp1128 you are helping others (including me). You don’t have to state wisdom to be helpful. The fact that you’re sharing the experience of what you’re going through helps more than you realize. You are an asset to this group…don’t forget that :slight_smile:

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Hi @Needhelp1128. I am concerned about anonymity and haven’t posted any pictures of myself, especially because I am actively job searching, but I also have shared some specifics. At times I may switch a “fact” that doesn’t matter, such as industry I worked in, just to be sure. Some people post partial pictures of their face, or photos from the back. Whatever you’re comfortable with. One concern about a full face pic, even thought this forum is pretty obscure, is possible use of google image search / facial recognition.

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