Hello

[Brandy9276]

Hi my name is Brandy. I am new to the group hoping to find support here. I was in DV relationship 6 years ago that ended pretty bad. I drank and was on lots of medication for years to numb the pain(which worked) but I never really healed myself I have been sober for over a year now but am still having a lot of issues with trust, relationships and many other things. Staying sober has been rough lately. Any ideas, recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks so much!!
Brandy

[Papa Coco]

Hi Brandy,

A warm welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties getting past that old relationship. I guess that's what draws people to this forum. I hope you find some peace and good ideas from the wonderful people on this forum. There's a lot of pain, but also a lot of healing happening here.

Trust issues are paramount with me also. It was the people who said they loved me the most who did the most damage, so I actually have to work on my trust for people who love me more than I have to work on trusting strangers. But that's the nature of trauma disorders.

There are some amazing people on this forum. I hope you find some connection with some of them.

Welcome.

[Kizzie]

Hi and a very warm welcome to OOTS Brandy    The majority of us here suffered from childhood abuse but we do have a section for CPTSD that started in adulthood here - https://www.cptsd.org/forum/index.php?board=219.0. What we all share though are the symptoms and the ongoing abuse we endured so feel free to post anywhere that resonates with you.  We also have a section for journaling that many members post to if that works for you - https://www.cptsd.org/forum/index.php?board=61.0.

Group hug for you to welcome you if that's OK   

[NarcKiddo]

Hello and welcome, Brandy.

Congratulations on staying sober. I know it can be tough. I myself drank prodigious quantities of wine for about 25 years. I am not totally abstinent these days but I generally drink within the UK health guidelines and when things are tough for me (as they have been recently) I have been able to manage without turning back to alcohol.

In my case I was obese but managed to reach a healthy weight (while still drinking). I then discovered exercise which for me is a far greater stress relief than alcohol ever was. I became keen to fuel my body properly to enable me to maximise my fitness efforts. Using a large chunk of my daily calories in alcohol became an issue so I stopped doing it. I also discovered that alcohol spikes my sleeping heart rate terribly badly and that I sleep way better without it. Sleep is also critical for fitness (and everything else, really).

Some may say (possibly correctly) that I have swapped out one addiction for another. But the current addiction is at least good for me. And although I feel antsy if I cannot exercise when and how I want to, I do also employ a coach who makes sure that I do not overdo anything.

Of course exercise does not do it for everyone, though it is hugely beneficial for everyone and helps massively with CPTSD symptoms. I think where alcohol is concerned, you just need to find something better to do. Easily said, I know. I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you around the forum.

[Hope67]

Hi Brandy,
I wanted to say Welcome.    
Hope