i can’t make friends and I don’t get on with my alcoholic mum – I feel like a failure

DEAR DEIDRE: ON Tuesday everyone will be talking about all the fun things they did over the Easter weekend, but I’m spending it just watching TV and stuffing my face with chocolate.

I see everyone at work making friends and don’t understand why I can’t.

I’m a 29-year-old woman, an only child from a single-parent family.

Mum and I never really got on, as she has alcohol issues.

We live under the same roof but have completely separate lives.

We often argue and I’d love to move out but can’t afford to.

Everyone else I know who is my age has a great career and a partner.

I feel a failure in every area of life.

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DEIDRE SAYS: You are not alone in feeling stuck.

There’s no magic wand, but aim to tackle issues one by one.

Try volunteering and getting involved in your local community.

Join clubs to meet like-minded people and organise walks, coffees out or pizza if it’s hard to have them in your home.

My support pack Widening Your Social Life has lots more ideas.

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