blog

Out of context: Reply #71671

  • Started
  • Last post
  • 75,609 Responses
  • imbecile4

    Do you personally know an alcoholic? Not a lush, or someone with a drinking problem, an alcoholic.

    I do, and it has been strange. We’ve known each other 7-8 years. Met over mutual interests and became friends. I did work for them, so all seemed well. Then I saw them drink. There was no stopping them. There was a new person now. Someone unashamed of their actions, defensive of their habits, someone who would rather drink at home than see people, someone that got ejected from rehab twice for making fruit wine on the premises. What?

    The last time I saw them was years ago. It was a sad, desperate, angry event that left me saddened I could not help. I walked away.

    Fast forward to two years ago, I get a text. Is this still you? Yep. Can you come to my one year anniversary of being sober? ( I’m crying writing this because I was so proud) but I had to say no, I wasn’t in town.

    We never spoke again after that.

    A few weeks ago, I got the same text. This time I’m in town. I see a completely different person. Someone leading meetings, offering advice and personal stories. I see a person once so selfish, they’d rather drink themselves to death than admit any wrong doing now glowing with pride and purpose. Someone now three years sober.

    Their skin so smooth, eyes so bright, posture that says they’re proud of who they’ve become. I see a new person.

    We’ve spoke privately since then. We never talk about the past. The worst part for me is understanding that everyday is still so hard for them. Everyday a struggle to do what their conscience tells them, not that little annoying voice.

    I’m really happy for them. From what most of the other participants said at the meeting, being alone is very difficult. If you know anyone like that. It probably wouldn’t hurt to reach out and support them. It means so much more to them than we might realize.

    imbecile 4Permalink
    UpvoteDownvote
    Flag
    • I do, people who drink lots during all week, many times I have to take care of them or take them back home when we do beers on weekends...OBBTKN
    • Talked to them about it, but, for now, they're functional workers, stillOBBTKN
    • The only thing I get is that they get mad at me because I hardly get drunk, and I'm always the one who has to babysit. Sad :(OBBTKN
    • I'm going on 3 years sober, and can relate to much of this.DRIFTMONKEY
    • I’ve thought i had a problem before, but then i meet someone who actually does and it kind of blows me away. The attachment people can have to this drug is nutsscarabin
    • So glad you friend found their way out of it, addiction is one of the biggest demons a person can facescarabin
    • Yeah, alcohol is sincerely the worst drug, if only because of its cultural acceptance and ease of reach.Nairn
    • curious that you referred to the person as them, not that it matters but just curious if it's a guy or a girl?_niko
    • Yes, 2, both died in car accidents, a predictable and mundane addiction.whatthefunk
    • i am one lolcolin_s
    • Alcoholism is a desease. I have lived with multiple, one being my father. Destroys families and relationships. Glad your friend finally accepted he needed help.sea_sea
    • My mother was one. Great lady. Super caring. Not abusive or destructive. Just loved to drink. Multiple times in rehab.BusterBoy
    • She would stash bottles of 50 proof grog around the house where me and my brothers couldn't find them...or so she thought.BusterBoy
    • The bottles had a distinctive cap that made a click every time it was put back on. Whenever we heard the click, we'd think..."oh no".BusterBoy
    • More than once as a kid, I'd find all her bottles and empty them down the sink.BusterBoy
    • Busterboy I had the same thing growing up, except my mum wasn't the happy kind of drunk.Melanie
    • I had to break up with my last gf because of her sickness, hopefully, she's better and taking care of herself.jaylarson
    • @buster, I used to empty bottles & cans, that's a classic move from a desperate kid, trying to make the madness stop. My father was super chill, my mother tho..sea_sea
    • It made my mother neurotic and in return made my childhood very difficult. if it wasn't for AlaTeen & therapy most of my life, i probably would not be here.sea_sea
    Show [[ numHiddenNotes ]] more notesAdd Note
    SaveCancel

View thread