Some Important Words to Remember
AFF Newsletter on Substack #27
Welcome to the AFF Newsletter on Substack.
Apologies for the lack of newsletters recently. I’ve been away on holiday with my son.
But I'm back now, and will soon be sharing content with you again on a regular basis.
If you have any topics you'd like me to cover, then please leave a comment.
You're not alone.
Despite how bleak you think your situation is right now, you're not alone.
One of the benefits of social media and the internet as a whole is that you're not alone.
There will always be someone who has been through, or is going through, what you're experiencing at this moment.
We are unique as individuals but we're linked to others by common experiences.
Those of us that have struggled with addiction, have used substances, etc, as a way of coping with emotions, thoughts, behaviours, etc.
And it's unlikely that you won’t find another person who has succumbed to addiction because of the same reason(s) as you.
As you know, I was addicted to alcohol. I drank too much. I drank and I couldn't stop. I drank to escape life.
And I thought I was alone.
I wasn't.
When I reached out, I realised others had/were struggling just like me.
I wasn't alone.
Today, as societal issues/pressures increase, addictions/ways to escape life have increased along with them.
But as a result, we now have more places to go, more services to use, more people with recovery experience to talk to, more social media accounts opening up about addiction struggles and more offline/online communities.
Even here on Substack, we have the SoberStack resources by Dana Leigh Lyons, of which the AFF Newsletter is listed. I also have my old archives on Birth of Clarity which still get hundreds of views.
It took me a while to open up to anyone about my struggles and I understand why people are reluctant to do so but believe me, it was the best decision I made.
It takes some inner strength to take that first step but once you've admitted you need help and reached out to others, you're on the right track - followed by action, of course.
The reason for this newsletter today is to remind you that you're not alone. Yes, I know I’ve mentioned that. But I'm saying it again because I find it an extremely useful reminder to those who are struggling.
I was fully consumed by suicidal thoughts and stood face-to-face with death during my drinking days.
If I hadn't reached out for help when I did, I wouldn't be writing this for you now.
So remember, you're not alone.
Take care and have a great day,