kris,

I so identify with your view that once you admit you are an alcoholic, you're ostracized by your 'normal' friends. I had a wide circle of good friends. One of them, who was my 'best' friend, has a husband who is an AA 'recovering alcoholic.' (Of course, he's a man with a heart condition who is 150+lbs. overweight as well. . .but that evidently doesn't count as a 'condition' or 'addiction.')

For years I built a successful business, and was in the public eye. Many of my friends enjoyed being part of that rise - including the above friend. When she suffered a physical problem that affected her job, I hired her to work with me. Then, in just a couple years' time, my marriage and business were failing, I got taken by a crooked building contractor, and a business partner used underhanded tactics to bring me down for their advantage in the market. Naturally, my drinking did escalate. My 'friend,' rather than be the supportive person I needed, decided I was an alcoholic - and shut me off cold. It was unbelievably painful to lose my best friend during the most difficult time of my life. She became slightly more friendly when I began going to AA, but my experiences there were horrific, and when I quit, once again I was ostracized.

While some of the other gals were still friendly, I always felt awkward going to the regular events that were held. Drinking was the norm. . .and I was hardly going to go to parties with my friends and not drink. But if I DID drink, I felt their stares, and judgement, acutely.

Several other gals in that group are very heavy drinkers - likely drink as much as I do. But they aren't down on their luck, and they have supportive spouses. I know of two that hide the amounts they drink. Though my friends all encouraged me for years to get out of an emotionally abusive marriage. . .once I took a deep breath and did so, many of them disappeared into the woodwork.

The one good thing to come out of this is that I now KNOW who my true friends are, and who was just along for the ride. Next round, I'll remember. . .

Just want to say I am wishing and hoping too, for you and everyone on here...the enthusiasm and hope I hear from you, I remember I had in February & still hanging on...still hanging in...