Progress Not Perfection

            I want to preface by saying I am not a doctor, counselor or mental health professional. I cannot offer any diagnosis or treatment plan. I am sharing my experience in hopes that it will encourage those who are still suffering to get help. Life can be better.              My battles with mental health were more serious than my alcoholism. In retrospect, it was obvious that I suffered from depression as an early teen. I remember feeling different from all those around me. I was somehow less than everyone else. I don’t recall any depressive issues like I experienced when I was older, but I was painfully shy, lonely and anxiety riddled most of the time. Shamefully, my best friend during this time was the kid living next door who was five years younger than me. Most of my free time was spent watching TV.  When I started drinking, I quickly discovered that alcohol could melt the knot of exis...