I’m at 20 months now. Tbh, I feel worse than I did when I came in. Yes I do a lot of service - started a new mtg that is popular in its 8 mo, sponsor, give rides, make calls, have a healthy variety of friends and social life, teach yoga and on and on. The loneliness at night has reached unbearable levels. Never had this when I was drinking. Dating as a 41 yo sober gay man is impossible. I have plenty of sex, but no one wants to date me. Sobriety is a scarlet letter. Loneliness is unbearable.

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You aren't describing a "lonely" life by any stretch, just a single life, and there are plenty of people who find joy and peace while being single. I would suggest that you take a closer look at why having a romantic partner is so closely tied to your definition of "happy."

It's one thing to not want to be single forever and to be conscious of that fact, but it's something entirely different to allow being single to make you depressed when you have what many would call a pretty fulfilling life.

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^ thank you for this.

I’m no therapist or doctor, but it’s possible the root of these feelings comes from issues related to abandonment, which likely started in childhood.

Things probably feel worse now because you’re actually feeling all of these feelings, rather than numbing them out.

And you’re right, AA isn’t designed to solve these sorts of issues; that’s what outside help is for, or possibly other 12-step programs (ACoA, CoDA, SLAA, SAA, etc).

Often times, getting sober in AA is just the beginning of the healing journey. In my experience, however bad things are currently in sobriety, they can be so much worse if I pick up a drink.

likehelpful

D1, I was thinking that, in my own experience, AA did resolve all issues related to my “mind” - the falling away of addiction, as well as depression, anxiety, fear of abandonment and others, all of which I had. I am awake, so I am not sure if awakening is a prerequisite. If the program is being used to merely arrest drinking, then therapy may be needed. Thoughts?

I believe in you.

uplifting

I know how you are feeling as well OP. Dating in 2024 is so bad that I literally gave up on it because it was such a waste of time. And you are right the lonliniess is the worst at night. But then I remind myself that the people I was drinking with aren't around anymore either. They were around when I was convenient for them.

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Additional Posts in Addiction & Sobriety

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Pause. Breathe. Proceed.
⏸ 🌬 ▶️

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