I'm always torn when writing about my quitting alcohol . I am one of the people who just doesn't handle it well , or handled it , I should say . I have been alcohol free since 8-11-1991 .
I had a miserable childhood and was very emotionally retarded , my answer for everything was screw it , nothing matters , basically .
I would get drunk every night , just for fun . Got to the point my friends didn't want to go out with me anymore because they knew I'd get into some kind of trouble . I've had multiple DUI's , spent time in jail , and ruined relationships .
Tried to quit forever , tried the just drink when you want , or only have two beers , or a beer an hour , nothing worked . Then a friend I had known from HS , an ex marine , sat me down and told me what a drunk I was , how I'd never amount to anything if I kept drinking , and it hit me right at the time I was ready to hear it , I guess . I was renting a house in Flint Mi , and had 8 beers in the fridge at the time , I would come home from work and look at those beers , and fight the urge to drink them . Nine months later when I moved out , I left them there .
I'd been court ordered to AA , and it was an eye opener , finding out that other people had the same problems I thought were exclusively mine , but I didn't really fit into the program , it was just not for me .
Also had a lot of court ordered one on one counselling . I remember the day a counselor told me I was emotionally retarded , I told him "F You " , he laughed and said "SEE?"
I didn't get it then , but years later it sunk in .
Admittedly , I was at the point where the next DUI meant prison , but it became a matter of pride , or stubbornness , I wanted to be in control of my life , not just going along for the ride.
My life got a whole lot better fast .
I don't think alcoholism is a disease , I see it as a choice , I can choose not to drink , you can't choose not to have cancer , or polio say . I am just one of the people who don't process alcohol well .
My wife will have a drink every now and then , there's always beer or rum in the house , I just don't drink it .
My message to anybody thinking of quitting is , if you think you have a problem , you do . And , do whatever it takes for you to quit . What worked for me , might not work for you , but find a way to quit , and stick to it , whatever it is , AA , church , rehab , whatever , but it is a doable thing . Real men don't have to drink , real men make their own choices .
Take control , it is your life . Not trying to offend anyone , and as Red Green says , - Keep your stick on the ice and I'll be pulling for you !
Congrats! Here is some motivation!!
