My happiness or my family's?

I moved around quite a lot as a child because my father's occupation required it. He was gone a lot, and I have many memories of myself crying when he left because I never got along with my mother. She was verbally, emotionally, and (occasionally) physically abusive. My father would never do anything about it; he would say "That's just your mother. She loves you." I idolized my dad, even though I never really knew him. He was the opposite of my mom. However, as I grew older I began to resent him for letting my mother treat my sister and I the way she did. She kicked me out of the house with no shoes or jacket in a blizzard for no logical reason; she constantly called my sister a "fat-ass whore" and would criticize her for hours on end. I guess that as a result, my sister and I became very close.

My sister and I both got into drugs and alcohol at the age of 13 and 14 (we're a year apart). This, needless to say, increased all of my problems. I cut myself, had to get stitches for my wrists, attempted suicide a few times, was hospitalized, ran away, etc. Finally, at the beginning of my senior year in high school, after coming home so drunk I pissed and puked on myself three nights in a row, my parents became fed up - and so had I. I was going to drop out of school (and they were going to let me), but in an odd act of compassion they got me on the homebound program and started me on therapy. After 6 rough months and some very bad incidents (I became a bit promiscuous, ruined friendships, was threatened by people), I quit drinking and doing drugs. I got good grades in school; good enough, in fact, to get a full paid scholarship to college. I also earned high ACT scores to get an additional scholarship. I couldn't have done this without my wonderful teachers who came to my house to teach and encourage me. They made me feel like I had potential - they drew it out of me. My psychiatrist also helped me - he taught me how to turn my feelings of worthlessness and frustration into accomplishments. After graduating, for some stupid reason I waited a bit before going to college. I was afraid of falling back into my past. I worked, stayed home, and generally kept to myself. I saved up money for a car and only associated with two people (my sister and a friend) who didn't "party". That was my life for a year.

I know this is long, but it's important that I describe my past before I ask my question. Just five months ago I met a person who made me feel alive - who made me care and feel compassion more strongly than ever before. He really took me by surprise. He had moved into town for his job (he's 4 years my senior), which pays nicely, so right off he had my complete respect. He is a hard working, admirable person with similar goals and values as me. We became each other's best friend. He was new in town, and I was pretty much a loner, so our relationship was very much one-on-one - no group dating. We spent many hours at his place just discussing our lives and where we were headed. Needless to say we "clicked", and he became my best friend and confidant within our first month of talking. I fell for him so fast! He encouraged me to take advantage of my scholarships and to move out of my parent's home. With him in my life, I felt as though my "transformation" was complete. He helped me gain the strength to go all the way with my accomplishments my last year in high school.

We want to build a future together (nothing fast like marriage, just continue our relationship the way it was, be involved in our growth together), but this man that I love moved. It's been two weeks. He is now 45 minutes away with his job and I miss him terribly. He works full time as a manager, so seeing each other is hard, especially with the both of us living at home (he moved in with his parents because he didn't have time to find a place of his own). I am not working or going to school. I have basically been doing nothing the past month. I am waiting to start my summer classes at college, which is 15 minutes from his town. I will be getting my own place with money I have saved - which is a plus. However, I suddenly feel these worthless feelings coming back. I can't sleep, I'm loaded-up on meds and I still feel twinges of anxiety. I worry constantly about my boyfriend when I don't hear from him; often times my sister is on the phone late and this ties up the line, so I won't hear from him for 2 or 3 days. This is a weird adjustment, since I used to be able to drive down the street to see him.

He was my best friend, and I miss him. I love him. With college, I'm so scared I will mess up and fail a class. I don't like admitting this because I feel that if I do, I will curse myself, but its true... what if this happens? I haven't been in school for 2 years. I kept a job and I liked it too! Also, moving out of the house will be hard for me - as much as my mother has been a thorn in my side, I still love her. I see her losing more of herself everyday...she's depressed, and she clings to me. Now that I am older, she treats me like a best friend because my dad is never home - although she is still incredibly rough on my sister, who has two years left of school. I know my sister will end up dropping out of high school as well, and my mom doesn't care. I don't want my sister to drop out, but I know that she can't take living with my mother. (My mom once took a pair of knee high Doc Marten combat boots and beat her back with them to wake her up in the morning - then screamed at her. (I live in the basement, so luckily I don't see all this). They fight constantly. My dad recently hit me in the face, the first time ever, because I woke him up coming in the house. He's never hit me. I hit him back and we fought until my sister broke it up. It broke her heart seeing us fight, because she still idolizes dad, and seeing that made her realize that he isn't perfect. I hate being the one who showed her that.

I feel like if I leave my family, it will tear them apart. I don't want that responsibility on my shoulders. My sister will not listen to me when I tell her about the importance of school. She just says, "You don't know. You were on homebound for a year", and "Mom likes you better". On top of this, my best friend and my love isn't here for me to confide in. Our phone conversations are wonderful, but we only talk on the phone 3 times a week, and see each other once a week. Our relationship is strong, but I miss the way it was.

Right now, I am in such a tough spot. I can't sleep and I am constantly nervous - I worry for my family, for my boyfriend, and for me. It's like I am finally at the edge of the diving board and ready to take the plunge.but then I walk back. I don't want to be a failure but I am so scared, and my classes start in June. I will be closer to my boyfriend, which excites both of us, but I still feel bad for my family. I love them.

Question:

I am sorry this is so long, but if I was wondering if I could get a suggestion as to what I could do to balance this out and stop the insomnia and anxiety. Should I ask for a higher dosage of meds? Does this mean my meds aren't working? Yesterday I took a two hour nap around noon and slept right through a doctor appointment. This is what scares me - my irresponsibility. Any response would be greatly appreciated. I know there are worse problems than mine, and I acknowledge that. Thanks for reading.