Jun 03, 2001 02:15 AM
5640 Views
14 years ago I worked in a night club. Before that I would drink every now and then but while working there and able to have as much as I wanted free, I began to drink a lot.
I am one of the lucky ones. I thank God I never killed anyone or hurt them and it could have happened because I drove like that.
I was only stopped once and managed to pass the test given to me by the police officer, how I don't know but I did.
I knew I was having a drinking problem. Let me tell you though that the more people keep after you about getting help the worse it becomes. You can pray for them and keep hoping but one will not stop until they are ready to admit they have a problem and are ready to do something about it.
You can not push some one to stop. They won't do it and you are doing them more harm than good. Take it from some one who knows. The harder I was pushed the more I drank.
If you know some one that drinks too much, try not to let them drive but other than that my advice is to say nothing.
When I admitted I had a problem I quit drinking. I went to one or two meetings and that was it. I had enough will power to do it on my own and to this day I do not drink. I even have it in the house for company but do not touch it nor am I tempted to.
Once I tried a drink to see if I could control it and that was after 7 years and it was the only one I had.
I ruined a relationship because of drinking and I ruined part of my life as I have medical problems from it that are not something that can be fixed and is a constant reminder to me.
I can honestly say the temptation is not there and I would never go back to it and there have been many things to upset me but the thought still never crossed my mind.
What you have to remember is a person drinks for a reason. I don't mean a casual drinker but a heavy one and until that reason is fixed nothing will keep them from going back to it at some point in time.You have to get to the root of the problem that caused the drinking to start in the first place.
Just be patient with people and if they want to talk, listen carefully to what they are saying and try to understand. I can't stress enough that trying to force them to get help, or to keep telling them they have a problem can push them over the edge the wrong way.
It is too much to write in a review. It is part of an auto biography I am writing.
So remember these things:
Listen
Don't push
Take their car keys away
Try to be understanding.
This is a disease just as real as cancer and some may not realise that.I understand . If anyone needs to talk or ask questions feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help.
