Lonely, burnt out and substance abuse

[Berry-mask3]

Hi

I’ve currently gone roughly 8 years without a real connection with anyone since being diagnosed with schizophrenia. I have a partner but there is DV involved - my whole family has stopped talking to me since abusing substances to deal with this issue yet they all abuse substances? I have support services in place but I just wish things were different. Maybe some radical acceptance will help but even then i struggle with that. Anyways im still hopeful for my future but really wish things were different sometimes (atm a lot of the time). Thanks for reading! Wish you all the best.

[Croix]

Dear New Member~

I'd like to welcome you here to the Forum, where if you look around you will find others with the same illness and problems and can see how they coped.

Actually is is  no small thing if you have coped for eight years wiht all the hassles and ignorant treatment you have had to deal with. I"m sorry about your family however there is a great deal of difference between ordinary illicit substance use for it's own sake and from using it as a self medication.

I guess they are treating you as just another drug user, a pretty painful attitude for you, particularly as from your words they are users of one sort or another and hypocrites.

There is also a great deal of misunderstandings about schizophrenia and that can make people reluctant to form friendships with you, a sad state of affairs. I do know there are various support groups that might be of help both with social contact and your mental health issues, and I'd suggest you contact our 24/7 councilors who may be able to list a group in your area.

I'm very glad you are having treatment under support services, hopefully it can make life much more manageable, are they aware just how difficult things are for you? Sometimes meds and therapies need revisiting.

I don't know what to think about your partner and the domestic violence. Frankly it is not on, though I recognize it can be very difficult to get away from. 1800RESPECT might be worth talking to, they are the experts and may be able to give practical advice.

You know you will always be welcome here

Croix

[BlueLily]

Hi Berry-mask3,

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear about everything you've been through. It sounds like you've faced an enormous amount of hardship, and that's a lot for anyone to carry.

It must be especially painful to be dealing with all of this without the support of your family. At the same time, it's remarkable that you've managed to navigate the past eight years since your diagnosis with such resilience.

As Croix mentioned, this forum is full of people who genuinely care and are ready to offer support, so I'm glad you've found your way here alongside the support services you're accessing. I also hope you're able to connect with support for the domestic violence you've experienced with the link Croix provided.

Please continue reaching out for help and be kind to yourself. You don't have to face this alone. We're here to support you whenever you need us.

Blue