Hey @Cuddlebear ,

Thank you for sharing and reaching out! I'm sorry to hear that things have been so tough for you. You are right in saying that when we hear people's recovery stories, it can be so powerful and uplifting. Even in my own recovery, I spent many years in a place of feeling things would never change. It was a very dark period of my life.

Yet taking the steps to reach out (out of my comfort zone), and really pushing myself to stay well played a part in my recovery. These forums also played a huge part in my recovery. I found that the more I reached out and supported others, the more I was encouraged to stay well. 

Only recently, I went back to the very very first post I ever posted on the forums. And you know what? I first posted because I connected with the experiences of another member. I felt less alone with what I was going through. If it weren't for the posts of others that I could connect with, I would never have posted on this 'strange, anonymous platform'.

I wonder if this is something you might experience too?

I look foward to hearing from you.