I'm currently working on social skills and small talk with a strangers is still very rough. It usually goes a lot better than in my head though. Seems I've been caught in survival mode for a long time, which has been getting in the way of me socializing and making friends.

I stopped drinking alcohol all together almost 8 months ago. I've been really suffering with anxiety and depression badly since I quit, but I've gained all the things I was looking to from quitting and than some.

I'm 33 M live just outside chicago in the north west suburbs. I have schizoaffective disorder and PTSD which I've been highly functioning with medication and therapy. My biggest struggle is the alcohol and the depression and anxiety quitting brings. But I've been enjoying concerts (my favorite hobby), beaches, both the indoors and outdoors. I've been adjusting to the new however, and while very hard and slow, I am recovering permanently. I do have my own apartment and always have been very independent but lately been looking for a good friend or dating intrest.