Welcome @cflbush, @Suez, @Sharon1988! Thank you for sharing guys, I know it can be difficult to open up like you have. 
We are all here to support and encourage you during your recovery.
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I took my little girl on a day trip to Chattanooga,Tennessee and didnāt take anything but 2 Aleve and 1 neurontin Dr prescribed btw definetly not a problem with those I only took it because I knew my back would be on fire and I didnāt want to relapse with an opiate.
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Neurontin isnāt addictive as far as i know. I really donāt see a problem with that.
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Iām Karen and I use to never drink! I couldnāt tolerate the smell and taste! About 5 years ago we moved to the boonies, I left the working world, fell into depression and found comfort in alcohol. About a two years ago I realized it was a problem for me but refused to confront it. I deal with shaking, irritation and anxiety if I donāt have a drink! Here I am laying on my couch, teary eyed, feeling like Iām a failure because Iāve let alcohol consume everyday of my life for the last few years. Iām afraid I canāt dig myself out but I do have the want to change. Iām hoping this app will help!!!
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@karbow11 Thank you for sharing your story! The good thing is that your willing to take action. Your definetly not a failure but a warrior fighting for your life! I believe this app can help you stay accountable! Thereās plenty of people here going through the same struggle & can relate. Your not alone and youāll find plently of encouragement! Stay strong, you can do it! Blessings to you & our journey together! Much love & hugs! 
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Thank you so much! Itās so nice to see others with the same struggles here being positive
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Hey brittany, I understand how you feel. One day is a great start witch most non addicts donāt understand. I have 7 days and that can seem like forever. Just know your not alone and never give up! Believe in yourself!
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Yeah neurontin isnāt addictive at all
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Hello, Elliot here. Iām from Minnesota, 25 years old. Iām here to address my alcoholism. I have been dry for a little over 4 months and it is my first go at sobriety. My alcoholism became really bad when I started law school two years ago for a number of reasons. I have been to one meeting, but Iām hoping that this app can be a support group because I donāt know any other students who are addressing their drinking or understand why I quit. Anyway, I am really glad this exists and look forward to getting to know this community.
Thanks!
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Welcome!
4 months is a great startā¦keep up the good work, itās not easy at times but it will get easier in time.
You found a great group of people here going through the struggle and always here to listen.!
Stay strongā¦Stay sober !
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Welcome and your not a failure!
The thing is not everyone can drink alchohol and do just thatā¦drink alcohol.
To some of us it has damaging affects and what was once controllable eventually becomes uncontrollable and takes over our lives in ways it doesnāt in others.
But that doesnāt mean we failed or are failures.
Stay strongā¦one day at a time! 
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Hi all!
I joined the forum some days ago and I feel it is time to introduce myself. My name is Franz, 43 years old, living in Vienna, Austria. I am addicted to alcohol - it might be about 10 years ago when I started drinking. At this time I had a really good job, I had a relationship (ok, this was not too easy)ā¦ obviously I had everything to live a good life. ā¦ And I started drinking. When people ask me today why it happened, I do not have a really satisfying answer. It might have been a method to slow down after a busy day. But I guess it was also my technique to kick me out, to āfeel freeā and to āfeel independentā. I have been educated to āmeet our social requirementsā and the fatal fact was that I was successful. Consequently I have learnt for myself strategies how to appeal to anyone in any situation. And I enjoyed job-related achievements as well as my sunnyboy-image. Sounds great - it was not. In fact I never did anything I really like to do. My whole life was determined to give a perfect appearance.
In the meantime I have passed several dehabituations but I relapsed again and again. Even if I knew it would be very important to keep the topic in my minds, I gave priority to any other stuff (finding a job, having relationshipā¦). I guess it is something like a human protective mechanism to forget negative things. In case of addiction I might be a disadvantage.
Actually I still have my flat, I get social support that covers my basic needs and I can do my sport. That makes me optimistic to have sober time as long as possible. Actually I have my 10th day in sobriety and I am really glad to read and share in this forum.
Have a great day and stay strong! 
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Hey welcome thanks for introducing yourself. One thing I really could relate to that you said is putting things like a job or relationship before your sobriety. Thatās a huge problem for me. I tend to forget what a problem alcoholism is and that it must be treated every day.
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Hello all, my name is Alice.
I started selfharming when I was around 12 - I pried sewing needles under my skin. Around the time I turned 13 I started cutting my wrists, but soon realized people could easily see that, so I went over on cutting my thighs. When my mother saw some of my cuts, she only said āWhy are you cutting yourself, silly. Youāre not a cake.ā Then never mentioned it again. I donāt think any comment about my cuts has hurt more. I finally quit cutting around Christmas 2014- about one and a half years ago now. My thighs are covered in scars, but lately Iāve found the confidence to wear shorts and bikinis again. My mother keeps telling me to cover them up, but my confidence isnāt destroyed as easily anymore now. I hope I can get my scars covered with tattoos- I just need to think of a design for on my thighs. I already have a design for on my wrist, I just have to save up for getting it. I rarely feel the urge to cut, and when I do I can easily distract myself. So Iām telling you: it Does. Get. Better.
This is just a part of my addiction story, but itās the biggest part to me. After 14 suicide attempts Iām proud to be here. I love myself and I appreciate the things in life. Progress has been made, with baby steps at first but leaps at the end.
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Hi Iām Marius, 31 yo and Iām an alcoholic. Dont exactly know when it happened but Iāve struggled with being clean for years. Im what you would call a highly functioning alcoholic I guess, not that it matters really. Im working on my masters degree, have had a full time job since graduating 8 years ago. Was in a loving relationship for 11 years that ended 2 years ago, but me and my ex get on fine and we have two beautiful boys. So in terms of life Iāve had it rather good, compared to a lot of people. No reason I started drinking heavily a few years ago, but I did. Mostly I think to overcome my personal demons. Then it just accelerated, Iām in a place now where I can drink a bottle of Vodka in one sitting without getting drunk even. So my tolerance for alcohol says it all about my abuse.
I do live a very secluded and lonely life, apart from every other weekend when I get to have my boys visit me and through work. I guess thatās the most difficult part about being sober, alcohol is kind of a partner. Itās been 10 days since I had a drink now, it gets easier when I isolate myself. Going out is such a trigger for me to buy alcohol. So that kinda sucks really, cause itās a vicious cycle. I wanna get out cause I need to socialise but I know that itās way too early cause I will be forced to drink by my demons. Hopefully I will be able to go out in time. First time writing in a forum, maybe itāll help me stay sober. First time Iāve written or said in public that Iām an alcoholic as well, so congratuwelcome world. This has been me rambling on without cohesion. Hope everyone has a good sunday, stay strong.
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Hello, my name is Paula and I have a drinking problem. I am 24 years old, and have been drinking heavily since I was about 16. I do not need a drink everyday, but when I do drink I cannot stop. I havenāt had anything too drastic happen to me, although I did total my car due to drunk driving. I want to put the bottle down completely, and return to the happy little girl that I use to be, before I picked up this nasty habbit.
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Hello Iām Vicky and I have had enough of drinking now. I am nearly 40 and my life has revolved around alcohol (and drugs although not at the same level as the alcohol).
I started drinking at 13 due to emotional problems. All I saw in my childhood was drinking from the older members of my family and I just followed what they did. Every relationship has ended due to alcohol because I kick off over tiny things and am ashamed to say it has ended up violent with the last outburst damaging my boyfriends house and car and now I have to pay for it and it has cost me the love of my life because he wonāt put up with it no longer. I am sick of the risky crazy things I do when Iām drunk and the hangovers I am having which seem to be getting worse and Iām getting panicky withdrawal symptoms really bad now.
I stopped drinking for 6 months last year and lost 4 stone in weight by walking and have strong motivation so I know I can do it again. I have done all the drink diaries and gone for counselling so have all the tools to do it and I found this app today so I would like to talk to like minded people for support. Every boyfriend I have had has been a heavy drinker and i know if and when I am to be with anyone in the future they have to be a non drinker too.
I have a 21 year old son who doesnāt drink and never has because of how heās seen me drunk alot its pathetic. Heās so fit and goes to the gym and is joining the British army I am so proud so I have done something right.
Time to stop this insanity now
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Hi Paula donāt get to 40 like I have and waste another 16 years of your life due to alcohol man get all the help you can to beat it
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Welcome @Bloodysickofdrinking, @Deniesha, @Fubar84, @C-sun, @Xylanthraxā¦ We all understand your struggle and how difficult it is to come forward. We are here to sorry and love you, and help you in any way we can!
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