Alcoholism Destroyed My Life
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
by Ronyae
Writings by Ronyae
As I watched a holiday program, I couldn't help but imagine how alcoholism destroys more lives than the alcoholic.
In the TV special, the star character wasn't a heavy drinker. But that's not what an alcoholic or alcoholism is. I learned in "drunk class" that anytime something negative/bad happens when a person drinks, makes them an alcoholic, and is the main sympton of alcoholism; alcoholism is a disease.
Most diseases are fatal, and in the sense of the disease of alcoholism, you can count on a death. Not just a physical death, and not by killing your internal organs.
In the program, the star character allowed alcoholism to kill her job, relationship with her fiance and friends. I would like to talk more on the subject of alcoholism. But, I have a question first ... What would you do to help a loved one, who's life is being destroyed by alcoholism? Can you treat alcoholism like any other disease ... Wut yoU'd Do?
In the TV special, the star character wasn't a heavy drinker. But that's not what an alcoholic or alcoholism is. I learned in "drunk class" that anytime something negative/bad happens when a person drinks, makes them an alcoholic, and is the main sympton of alcoholism; alcoholism is a disease.
In the program, the star character allowed alcoholism to kill her job, relationship with her fiance and friends. I would like to talk more on the subject of alcoholism. But, I have a question first ... What would you do to help a loved one, who's life is being destroyed by alcoholism? Can you treat alcoholism like any other disease ... Wut yoU'd Do?
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Hi Ronyae,To answer your question. YES, there is hope. Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people through the years to find recovery from alcoholism. If you want to "help" a loved one find recovery I would advise joining an Alanon group; this is a support group for those who have a loved one who is an alcoholic.Mark
Ronyae, I don't believe I am qualified to deal with alcoholic problems in today's society. I know I had my share of drinking and being a problem to others. I know today I deeply regret things I've said in the past and I can't blame anyone else but myself. I only wish I had not been such a fool in the past. I've put my trust in the Lord to help me along today.To answer your question I believe anyone who suffers from an alcoholic problem today is to try to find someone they can consult in to share their pain and suffering. "loneliness is the greatest poverty of all" Mother Teresa
What a short teaser that hinted at rather than disclosed.I scrolled down looking for more and felt cheated; you have only whetted my appetite.I am one who has recently taken to drinking by sipping fine cognacs with an elitist air and a patent disregard for alcohol's insidious addictive nature.I was hoping for a 'bleed to the edge of the plate' confessional expose' dinner and only got a whiff of a tiny appetizer.Perhaps you felt naked and vunerable in writing about your frailties and thus throttled this article in the womb before its birth.I am 'thirsty' for more; give me more; I must have more!
You ask a difficult question. My mom says she kept pressuring my dad to go to a rehab clinic. She put little fliers and brochures wherever he could read them. Ultimately, he did go into recovery, permanently. He was a changed man after that. Changed for the better.I remember once I stuck a little note in the brown paper bag where he kept his bottle in his truck. He turned into an animal, shouting "I hate you, I hate you!" pointing his finger in my face, his bloodshot eyes literally filled with hate. I thought that was it for me.I got into a bad fight with my brother, who would get up in the morning, start his day drinking beer, continue until the afternoon and evening, and come over and rant and rave like a lunatic. He would actually try to run me off the road with his work truck when I was riding my bicycle. Finally I confronted him in his driveway. He challenged me to punch him, which I did. He called the police, he had witnesses, my mom, his wife, his kid. I went to jail. Unfortunately, his family, including my mother, support his alcoholism because they'd rather let it go than have to confront him on it. It was hell putting up with him, firing his shotgun at 5:00 in the morning, splitting wood with his wood splitter at 11:00 at night, coming over in a drunken stupor and telling me how I should be more like him. I finally had enough and moved. For all I know, he's still tormenting his family and acting like an ass.I have some friends who go to AA. It works great for them, and they are really involved with it, in a positive way. But AA isn't for everybody. In some ways it's cultish. The members tend to spout bumper sticker aphorisms that grate on some sensibilities. One of my west coast friends had trouble with the concept that once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, and if you don't stay with AA you can never recover. It is also essentially God centered. That's not a problem with me, but it might not be right for everybody.Recently I did some research on the causes of alcoholism, how it affects the brain, and places that treat alcoholism. There are quite a few options out there. I think most of it comes down to persistence and the willingness to give treatment a try.You might also read my latest article on the genetic and environmental factors related to alcoholism. It won't help anyone get better, but might help them to understand.- GThat was great Greg- You write with personal knowledge and complete compassion. Well done!
Ronyae, great topic. Very engaging article. I have seen alcoholism pass from generation to generation. Unfortunately, many children who grow up with alcoholics become accustomed to drinking and do not question it. Some go on to marry alcoholics. I like your definition of alcoholism. It includes the regular weekend drinkers whose drinking disrupts family life. Thank you for writing about this difficult subject.
Hope you do some more pieces on this topic - I can add that to my list of things that I am thankful for because our Jesus pulled me feet first out of a bottle now some 35 years ago and I love having a clear head and that I am able to savor each and every minute that He has given me. Marijo
Ronyae,I am somewhat confused by your article and have missed something, somewhere along the line. As supportive as friends and family members can be, it is only when the alcoholic recognizes and accepts the problem that he or she can begin the journey to change.
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