I can relate so much. I had lots of friends in my teens, a totally different life. I like my life now aswell thanks to my kids and family. But I really dont have any friends, I seem to be to akward to talk to, I exhaust people, who would want to hang out with someone who seems to be on a caffeine-drop every time you talk to them? And when people try to hang out with me, from work etc, I dont pick up the phone when they call me.. It really sucks. And going on a date, well, good luck, I tend to only date lower standard girls with mental illness and drug problems because I dont dare to date normal working, good looking girls. Im a good looking guy, I used to be a model in my 20s, but I feel people get shocked when I open my mouth and my speech dont match my looks. Im extroverted and love conversations but my stutter has made me an akward introvert. I dont want to blame everything on my stutter but I spent most of my early life on alcohol because I couldnt meet people sober. Now Im on Valium and Lexapro because of this crap. I have lost contact with all of my real friends from school because of me isolating myself because of my stutter. When I meet someone from the past they prob think like "omg what happened to him? He used to be so fun and outgoing". I cant even look people in the eyes when speaking because that would be even more akward when I get a block. I rather be physically MUTE than having a stutter. Think about it guys, wouldnt it be like a stone dropped from your shoulders if you just couldnt speak at all? Like if you cut out your tounge? Think about the relief!? No-more-stutterer-ever-again. You could just say you got a stroke or whatever with a note and smile. Using sign language or something.