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Archive for January, 2006
Alcoholism : Am I willing to pay the price to stay sober, that I was to stay drunk?
One day I walked into a liquor store to buy a pint and the store owner told me it would cost $5.25. I gladly whipped out the money, said thank you and promptly left to get drunk. I think I had a good time, but you know how that is…..
A few months later, I wandered back into the same liquor store to buy the same pint of liquor. The store owner turned to retrieve the pint of liquor from the shelf. I asked the price of the liquor, not remembering of course, and the store owner tells me that it is $5.25, plus my car. I was stunned and enraged, so I paused for a moment, thought carefully about the cost and figured I could always get another car, so I paid the store owner the $5.25 and turned over the bill of sale to my car. As I proceeded to take that first drink, I thought to myself, boy the price of booze has sure gone up since the last time I was here.
A month later, I sauntered back into the same liquor store to buy the same pint of liquor I had previously purchased. This time the store owner recognized me, (which of course I am proud of because it means I am an important customer) and turns to get the pint of liquor from the shelf, with a slight grin on his face. This time I was a little hung over and again had to ask the price. One would think I could remember that by now, but I couldn’t. I did remember though that he couldn’t take my car this time because I didn’t have it anymore. I really outsmarted him this time. The store owner looked me square in the eye and says the pint is only $5.25, pauses and then says, plus your job. I said what….Are you crazy…..You already have my car….Now you want my job too….I will never give up my job for liquor!!!!!…As I walked home, bottle in hand, I continued to rant and rave about how stupid this man was because I was going to take my business elsewhere. I would show him.. It finally hit me….What was I going to do when I couldn’t afford to drink anymore…..I think you get my point ……..
I was so willing to pay any price to keep getting high or drinking, whether material or emotional. Now the question my sponsor always asks me is, “What lengths are you willing to go to maintain your recovery?” What price are you willing to put on your sobriety? When all is said and done he’ll say, “No matter what, don’t leave before the miracle happens….God’s got one coming just for you, if you’ll just be patient.
Anonymous
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How to someone get alcohol and drug abuse treatment
It is heartbreaking to hear from a teenager who wants to help their mom get treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. But, at the same time, it is also enlightening to find that even young people can take proactive action to get help for his or her alcoholic or addict parent. You can also be proactive and take action now to help a friend or a loved one stop their alcohol and drug abuse.
If you are concerned that a friend or family member has a drinking or drug problem, pay attention to his or her behavior. Does it seem to occur on a regular basis? Are you often concerned about this person? The first step in getting help is to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol or drug abuse. Some of the early signs of alcohol abuse include noticing that the person is getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, having frequent hangovers, having black outs (forgetting what the person did while he or she was drinking). Signs of drug addiction may include the person’s inability to socialize and to perform routine activities, odd behaviors (altered speech, paranoia, lying) and very often, signs of depression (or “feeling down”). Depending on what drug they are using, you may also find drug paraphernalia in his or her surroundings.
But, you may ask:
“When do I know the person really needs help”?
“What if they are only experimenting with alcohol and drugs?”
“Am I not overreacting?”
When a person has a problem with alcohol and/or drugs, most of the signs above occur with frequency. Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to many negative consequences, such as DUIs, broken relationships, family problems, domestic and/or physical violence and other types of trouble with the law.
Addiction begins with use and continues with abuse before becoming a full-blown addiction. If you believe someone you know is an alcoholic or drug addict or is walking on the path to addiction, talk to a alcohol and drug abuse counselor.
There are a number of government services and agencies, as well as private drug and alcohol rehab referral services, including Recovery Connection, which provides FREE information to anyone who calls, 24/7, at 1-800-993-3869.
So, don’t be shy. Your action can help an individual, restore a family, perhaps even save a life. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of helping someone get over their alcohol and drug abuse.
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