I used alcohol to numb things I didn't have words for. Most people around me had no idea how bad it was, because I was good at looking fine.

Getting sober was hard, but the hardest part was being honest — first with myself, then with my family. I expected judgement. Mostly I got relief, because they had been worried for a long time.

Two years in, I'm not "fixed", but I'm present. I remember my evenings. I show up for people. If you're thinking about taking the first step, reach out to someone today. You don't have to do it all at once.