Good morning all.
@Orchid09 I still think it is a positive step that you've made in going to your GP - don't feel too worried about it, or about any repercussions. It's clearly what you've needed to do in order to get help and a better future. I'm sorry if anything I've said about my own situation has alarmed you. Every single person's situation is different. And - yes - my honesty with the DVLA in 2017 has caused issues, that was them and not the GP. I can say in all seriousness that, had I not sought and embraced the help offered by my GP and NHS (which was nothing to do with me contacting the DVLA initially), then I most likely would not be here today. Honestly. You've taken the first brave step on the path to a better future.
@Chance21 - I've felt the way you describe. Alcohol is actually a depressant drug, that's a proven fact. I also take anti-depressant medication and my support worker once questioned what was the point, if the alcohol I was drinking cancelled out all the effects of my prescription medication. And I can certainly associate with the irritability and frustration (and skin condition) that you and @HarperSabrina mention. I was exactly the same. It will get better.
I was also "entertainment" when drunk, not always in a good way. It is perhaps fortunate that I cannot remember full details of all of those times. The flashbacks of occasional moments are chilling enough. But the good news there is that you will actually be all that is engaging, likeable and fun WITHOUT the drink - even more so. Sober, you will be the best version of you that there is, and you will still be loved and valued. I thought that no-one would ever want my company when sober, I am happy that I seem to be wrong there. You will also have people's (though sadly often unspoken) respect for keeping it together and being fun sober, while others around you are being overly-loud, embarrassing and liberally sprinkled in their own p~ss. Not drinking actually opens the door to more fun, not less. After all, if drink is THAT much fun, then surely the people who are the most drunk are the ones having the MOST fun... but look at the average city centre at 3am on a Sunday morning - at those people getting in stupid fights, puking in doorways, being separated from 'rivals' by bouncers and rozzers, girls hanging out of their clothes crying and peeing in alleyways, being offered 'lifts' by strange blokes, do they look like they're having fun? They should be, if alcohol is the bringer of that much joy. These days, I'd rather wake up in my comfy bed, not hungover to Hades, and in pants that are my own.
But it is very very hard to begin with. Keep at it - it's worth it.
Off to the hospital now - AGAIN. Ruddy shirt-potatoes still causing chaos. And then Slimming World tonight, fingers and toes crossed...
El Sid is in recalcitrant mood this morning. He didn't want to have his picture taken, posing with his planted pots. He pretended that his paws wanted washing. I reminded him that, if he was in a cleansing frame of mind, it'd been a while since his ears were inspected, and there was a Johnson's Baby-Bud with his name on it in the bathroom. He posed.
Strength and love to you. Keep at it - you're doing great. xx