Seeking the road back

[Odysseydave]

I am looking for advice to find the road back to being a functional human. The last ten years have seen be become an unemotional blob that uses alcohol to balance myself. This has worked awesomely (not). I have lost my job and isolated myself from those tht were previously close to me. I want to be a normal person again but do not know where to start. I know deep down what I need to do but the negative voices are too loud. As far as the drinking goes, it's hard to get away from as the few people I socialise with are also heavy drinkers. I feel like I'm drowning and that most have given up on me. I don't know what to do as, being unemployed makes it quite difficult to get councelling.

[lou_harlow]

Hi odyssesydave,

Unfortunately I don't have all the answers for your particular situation but I have been at that place where you are struggling to start coming back to feeling okay and finding your happier place again. Returning to be a 'functioning' person again can be difficult when you feel lost, hopeless and have no clue where to start.

For me, I started with making myself get out of bed every day, regardless of the time and getting dressed and going out side and basking in the sun. Sometimes I would go for a long walk with my headphones in and just zoning out and listening to music or sometimes it was just eating lunch on my front steps.

Like you I had no idea where to start with fixing all the problems in my head and in my life but starting with something as simple getting myself out in the natural light and even just getting dressed gave me the feeling of having achieved something in my day and having made some element of progress. As small as it seemed, it became the most important part of my journey to a better head space because it was a commitment and dedication to myself every day that instilled in my mind that I was valuable and worthy of living a great life.

Sometimes starting with the smallest things starts the movement on to solving the larger issues we have in our lives.

I truly hope this helps and wish you well on your journey to bigger and better things. And know that you have already taken the hardest and most difficult step: acknowledging to yourself that you are worthy and deserving of feeling happier in your life.

[jess334]

Hi Odysseydave,

Welcome to the forums and well done on posting - writing down your issues can be a difficult step, but also can be really helpful.

As lou_harlow mentioned, even the smallest steps can help. Getting some exercise and sunlight is really important.

Have you spoken to a GP about putting a mental health plan in place? You will be able to receive reduced cost psychologist visits under medicare. There are also some really good counselling phone lines such as Beyond Blue's on 1300 22 4636. They can be great to talk to when you need that extra push or are feeling really low. If you do better typing than talking - they also have an online chat between 3pm and 12am 7 days a week. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support.

If you want to speak to someone specifically about drinking you can call the Family Drug Support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1300 368 186. Or Counselling Online which is an on line or text based service where anyone looking for help or information about alcohol or drug related issues can access. 1800 888 236.

I hope some of this is helpful. Please continue posting if you are able, there are a lot of people on the forums with similar issues and you are not alone.

Jess