Acting Out

Acting Out

pontifixmax

Registrant
Hi there. I'm a relatively new member who posted here recently. I'm writing again because I've have concerns for sometime now about my lifestyle as well as my sexuality and I can't keep them bottled inside any longer. Putting them out here helps so I hope no one minds that I do so. I should warn people to be aware of possible triggers however.

First of all I'm taking pills + drinking alot. This isn't new for me. I've had problems with substance abuse since I was 13 but I managed to keep a handle on it for a long time and even sought conselling for it a few years ago, which actually helped alot. It scares me more now than ever, however, because I'm in a new city without familiar supports. I also have a lot more to lose now, namely my health, my relationship, the quality of my studies at university and my energy for the work I do. I'm throwing up almost every morning (whether I'm hung over or not), my girlfriend is getting frustrated with my drinking and I'm worried about my grades slipping as well as burning out at work since its a high stress job (I work in a homeless shelter.) Externally I'm juggling a lot of things but the internal stuff is getting to me too. I'm coming to terms with my own abuse issues plus I'm dealing with my girlfriend's at the same time. She has been having a hard time lately, struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts, cutting and a change in medication, as well as the loss of her long time S.A. therapist when she moved here with me to go to school. I don't know what to do to help her let alone myself. Obviously this is very frustrating for me. Concerning sexuality I don't know how to broach the subject of my bisexuality with her. For years before we met I had occasional encounters with men, which I'm not sure is a result of my upbringing, the abuse I encountered, or both. You see my mother came out as a lesbian when I was 12, which resulted in a lot of family conflict between her and my father, who is very homophobic. Even before the age of 12 I didn't make a great distinction between who I was attracted to or whom I had a crush on i.e. girls or boys. I don't know if my mom's coming out predisposed me to being bi or if I'm just that way naturally but its hard to for me figure out since my first adolescent experiences with the same sex was abusive nature, involving someone much older who took advantage of me while I was homeless and under the influence. Anyways today I desire an encounter with men now and then but I don't know how to reconcile this with my gf. She knows about my history and is accepting of me nonetheless but I'm positive that she wants a strictly monogamous relationship, which I'm not sure I can continue to live with given my bisexual tendencies. The last thing I want to do is hurt her but I wish I could make her understand that this isn't about what she can't give me, if that makes any sense. Anyways if anyone has any insights for me I welcome your response J.S.
 
Pontifixmax,

First off, 'Hi' back!

*Whew* You are bringing up a LOT of issues in this one Post of yours... :-) Don't worry about what you say, or how much you say it. The people who visit here are also Survivors, and can usually relate to your feelings...


"I'm writing again because I've have concerns for sometime now about my lifestyle as well as my sexuality... / I'm coming to terms with my own abuse issues plus I'm dealing with my girlfriend's at the same time."

Second-guessing yourself about your sexuality is something I think most Survivors do. Don't feel put-off by that, alone. It can take a long time to sort through all your memories/feelings.
For me, 'Trust' is the ultimate guage in ANY relationship. When me and my SoulMate met, it took EVERYTHING in me to tell her about 'me'... I feel Blessed that she listened, understood, and loved me anyway...

"She has been having a hard time lately, struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts, cutting and a change in medication, as well as the loss of her long time S.A. therapist when she moved here with me to go to school. I don't know what to do to help her let alone myself. Obviously this is very frustrating for me."

You both need qualified support and therapy. Living near a University, check with your local Student Union. They will have resources available to you both, that may prove helpful...

"Concerning sexuality I don't know how to broach the subject of my bisexuality with her. [edit]Anyways today I desire an encounter with men now and then but I don't know how to reconcile this with my gf. She knows about my history and is accepting of me nonetheless but I'm positive that she wants a strictly monogamous relationship, which I'm not sure I can continue to live with given my bisexual tendencies. The last thing I want to do is hurt her but I wish I could make her understand that this isn't about what she can't give me, if that makes any sense."

Again, 'Trust' is the key issue in your relationship. If you feel strongly that she will not support your bisexuality, than you are probably correct... That doesn't make 'You', or 'Her' a bad person. Relationships are so convoluted/complex sometimes, that the very best we can hope for is, after telling a person we are close to the 'Truth' about how we feel, they won't hate us for feeling that way, and might, just might, still love us, anyways...
It's a risk, no doubt about it.

Combining pills with alchohol is always a very dangerous Path to tread, and you know it... With all humility (I'm an alchoholic, and I also use narcotics for pain/sleep), I would ask you to seek out help from your local 'AA' and/or 'NA' Chapter... Knowing that you are not alone can be a powerful support!

I wish I had better answers for you. For a certainty, I can well-relate to most of what you wrote!

Stay strong! Be True to yourself!

Know that you have people here who will help you in your Healing Path.

Whicker
 
Pontifixmax-
I can relate to what you wrote.
For me, not being high or drunk helped me not to act out sexually outside of my relationship with my wife.
When we're both connected emotionally, spiritually I know I'min a good place with her and the our lovemking is so fulfilling that I don't need to fantasize about sex outside of our relationship.
It sounds like you bnoth need to work on this together, and not act out with all the
 
First of all I'm taking pills + drinking alot. This isn't new for me. I've had problems with substance abuse since I was 13 but I managed to keep a handle on it for a long time and even sought conselling for it a few years ago, which actually helped alot.
Please consider going back to counselling. Peace, Andrew
 
pontifixmax,

I commented on this when you posted it in another forum about two weeks ago and we haven't see you back since then. I hope you are doing okay.

You have a lot of issues boiling away all at once, and as others have said I think you really need to get back into some kind of regular program of therapy in order to sort this out.

But I am mainly posting again to express my concerns about drugs and alcohol, which you say you have been using to cope since the age of 13. I got into that at the age of 14-15 and that crap had me for a decade bro. When I finally broke free, guess what? I hadn't moved forward even an inch. If anything I was even more emotionally wrecked than I had been as a young teenager. It wasn't worth it, believe me.

I hope you will give this some thought. You have so much to lose.

Much love,
Larry
 
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