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[MJ3]

Hey everyone! I'm new to the site and wanted to say hi but also to ask if anyone else categorizes friends/family as people who v* and people who don't.

I'm a college student so most of the v* related incidents around me are drinking related and I've come to categorize my friends this way and feel that the non-v* category is safer (of course) to hang out with especially if we go out for the night.

I feel bad because I tend to stay away from my friends who I categorize as not safe and more recently it's become a problem even when we're not in a drinking related environment and just hanging out. I feel awkward and nervous around them and it's getting harder to cover up and just act normal.

I currently see the school counsellor about my phobia, who is wonderful since she's dealt with the fear herself. Recently she's suggested maybe trying to spend more time with my "not safe" friends but I don't know if I can handle it.

[afraidnp]

this sounds like her way of doing subtle exposure therapy I would say, it is most successful apparently although can be scary, i guess it depends how much you want to get over this phobia.... just think, when you are over this and when you are recovered you dont want to regret losing friends because they might v* from drinking, are you afraid of seeing other people v* or v*ing urself? I think it also depends on this because I have slowly managed to deal with going back out to pubs and clubs with my friends as I know if a person is unwell from being to drunk I cant catch that!
Just to assure u, u can handle hanging with them, just start slow.... maybe go and catch up with them for half and hour at first, see how you go and remember you can always leave if you arent comfortable, then next time when you see that you are fine this will reinforce your confidence in your ability to deal with being aroiund them, each time you fight the phobia you weaken it! x

[x...RaChE...x]

Well Im not like that too much as non of my friends have ever vomited near me (as they dont really drink) but if its seeing vomit you're afraid of, I can understand why this would be quite nerve racking but I'd go for it... you'll soon get used to the idea of there being constant 'risks'. Just go at your own pace, good luck