Tongue lesions

about 6 months ago i noticed someting happening/forming on my tongue, it originally felt like a mild burn and looked like several mishapen spots, mostly circular, that had slightly white edging making the paipllae clearly visable, and reddened looking, i thought maybe i burned my tongue. I have tried using oragel, baking soda, toothpaste, and other herbal remedies for relief but nothing has healed this permanently, meaning it keeps coming back. I had been taking a prescription mediation when this first formed that resulted in severe dry mouth so i stopped taking the medication, still now months later my tongue is still in bad shape.

I do not have health insurance and like most people money is tight, still i am starting to become very scared, could this be cancer, or indication of something very serious. I have only had sex with three people, each has been tested for HIV- negative, and i have always tested negative for HIV, last test was almost two years ago and I have not had sex is almost 2 years now.

I used to smoke, for one year, but that was three years ago, although i have occassioanly had a cigarette, probably 10 in the last 3 years. I do drink alcohol, occassionally, although for the past 2 months i have gone out drinking, 3 drinks, 1 night per week despite this situation with my tongue.

i took 2 photos of it today which i can post if it might help with a diagnosis.

thank you in advance.