While I watched my best friend from high school kill herself with alcohol. It took a lot of years and a lot of alcohol, but she did it. She was an alcoholic and I’m a recovering alcoholic. We were the same age, similar backgrounds and similar everything else. A big difference in us, though, was that she never had to be responsible for herself. Her drinking escalated faster than mine because of it. She never had children (thank goodness) or had to work. She eventually reached a point in her drinking where there was no going back. There was no rational thinking left in her and no ability to help herself. I managed to get her to go to AA meetings with me when I sobered up, but she had no intention to stop drinking and used those meetings for social interaction which she wasn’t able to have normally. She would call me repeatedly over the years and begged me to help her, yet she had an excuse for everything I suggested. I couldn’t help her because she couldn’t and wouldn’t help herself. So I stood by….helpless. And I looked at her like I could have eventually been looking at myself if I hadnt stopped drinking. She’s not with us, anymore. She took her life the same year I sobered up. We were 53. She was a kind soul, loved her cats and had a wicked sense of humor. The world lost a friend because alcohol won.
I Stood By Helpless……..: While I watched my best... - Drink Free
I Stood By Helpless……..
You are amazing. I think you should write a book to help others who are on that dark road to oblivion. Perhaps even, ask some of the other's from AA if they would like to make a contribution, but seeing how you so beautifully wrote this and other post's, you don't need any assistance. The life of a recovering alcoholic is like a never ending journey. Always recovering and never recovered because as soon as you think that you have won, it will strike back. You let your guard down and it runs back in. I have known people who have started drinking again and the next time, they couldn't escape. Think about it, I would love to read it myself. You are an inspiration.
My cheeks are red, Bifield34. A book about my partnership with alcohol I’ll never write. It’s emotionally taxing even writing a few paragraphs. That’s a good idea to ask other recovering alcoholics to join HU and contribute….hmmmm (I’m thinking…thinking). You’re so right about recovery. There is no cure for alcoholism, just remission and hopefully for a very long time. Like any other incurable disease you do as the doctor orders for as long as it takes to keep you alive.
That's so sad. I agree with the comments that you should write a book or short stories or poems. If it would save one life it would be worth it. You are amazing person and I think you could help others with your experiences. You been to hell and back in your life. I'm so glad you are doing great now!!
Thank you, Itzallgood. Part of twelve step programs is to help another alcoholic. Whether it be words of encouragement, a ride to a meeting, cleaning up afterwards or sharing stories. I only hope to increase the chances of another’s survival. Yes, today I’m great because today I’m not drinking.
Looks like there could be a support for you writing a book, you shouldn't deny the world of your experience 🤭. Honestly though, if you need some help, PM me and perhaps we can get some short stories up together and put them together. Would you speak to your group leader and see what he/she says? I don't mind co-ordinating from the UK and perhaps all profits can go to AA, or similar organisation to help with services? Just a thought, your legacy will go on and be worldwide.
You are amazing, intelligent, articulate. There is a group of people that don't know it but, they need you. PM me and we can have a chat.
I appreciate your ideas and eagerness to help other people. I wish I could do more than I’m doing right now, but I can’t for several reasons. Writing a story about my life with alcohol would start when I was 16 or even before that. I would have to include information about a lot of people in my past and I can’t do that either. I have to respect other peoples privacy, not just the alcoholic that wishes to remain anonymous. In my own way, I am writing my story with alcohol here . This will have to do and be good enough. 👍🏼
That's awesome. The work you are doing is a phenomenal thing. I bet you are doing a great job of it.🌻🌻🌻
Anybody can share their struggles with alcohol if they want to. Each story that’s told has the potential to help another person. I’m no different from anybody else here in Drink Free that shares. But thanks, bud.
Alcoholism is a disease that has hit my family as well. I have drank for about 10 years because the rest of my family and friends had drank too. My story don't compare to yours. I still have urges but try to resist it. I pray that you can help many people thru your work. I commend anyone else is doing the same work as you.
I pray that you can continue to resist it or seek help if you can’t. My “work” can be found in abundance in the rooms of a twelve step program. You could have just helped another person by sharing your story. You are working as well.
Never thot of it that way. Thank you. 🙂
I hope I don't end up like your friend I have my doubts as bought some wine today night 2 failed I doubt there's hope for me I'm too weak ☹️
You are not weak. I believe in you. It's not an easy path but you can beat it. One step at a time. You are in one of the best places for support here. Forget about your post mistakes, focus on your future successes.
Thank you I hope you will pray like you said before I still need it I'm so up and down with my moods my drinking my optimism and life's circumstances my mam's 82 and her healths not great I live in fear she will end up like my dad with dementia unable to look after herself like my dad I will try look after her if need be 🌟
hey Mandy...but you are far to concerned with 'maybe's' ,your mum could well keep going mentally and physically to a certain extent for a very long time.Certainly her abilities may lesson,at her age its to be expected,but forgetfulness does not in any way mean Dementia.Cripes i cant even remember peoples names.😲
Hi Roddy I know I should live in the hear and now but the changes have come on slowly but surely then quickened up it would seem.after lockdown, it's effected all our healths mental.and physical, and many drank a lot more too. 💛🌟
I've just read Secrets22 post and is spot on. None of us know what the future holds. Symptoms can mean a multitude of diagnosis or even none at all.
I have continued to pray for you and your mother. I know that your future is in God's hands, you do not need to worry, give all your cares to the Lord.
Thank you I have hope that I will sell my house soon then there's hope I can start a new in a house that feels like home I have spent past since moving back.in march tryner make my house feel like home and settle I've worked so hard and I've injuries now which i.hope will heel im so fed up of endleles putting screws in etc I never expected I'd need my downstairs rewiring endless problems I had to fix a leaking roof of course I didn't do rewiring at least hopefully the changes will help sell my house I've been living like a squatter in my own house as only recently got water and electric downstairs it's caused mam.streds too she said don't worry if the emulshions not perfect just get it done and up for sale out life's my health my drinking would have been different if I'd have got her nebours house but mine never sold in time due to delays in rat problem.and brokern drain been solved I'm.sick.of obstacles I wake up in the night panic about everything I'm in pain most of winter with my trigiminal nuralgia now my thumbs are in agony etc I still have lots to do my only respite is a bottle of wine which I'm on my 2nd now had one this afternoon 🌟
There’s always hope. And I feel you will get stronger in your determination. I have found, Planning & more planning can help. Thinking how I was going to manage without that glass of wine and what the alternative was going to be. Initially I chose sugar fizz drinks, but no way would I recommend that as sugar is bad too. But it helped me being nearly/ virtually alcoholic free for 5 months. I’ve now substituted those sugar fizz drinks with mineral water and a slice of lemon or hand picked rose petals soda drink( it does have some sugar in but a lot less than the others I drank.) And I keep telling my brain. “ what a treat having a glass of hand picked rose soda” works every time for me. The taste of the rose petals is good too.
Thank rose 5 months nearly alcohol free can I ask how much you were drinking to make you want to stop cut down I do have alcohol free nights but end up on cocoa and chocolate bars or biscuits I used to like crisps but after a bad gastritis attack I dernt on a night i don't even have a sweet tooth really and didn't even want the comfort food just something, I long for the days to be like before when I felt settled in my home with pixie laid with me and no wish to have anything contentment I am hoping to achieve again on hopefully selling my house and getting another house but one that's free of bad memories and more suitable for me I am.trustimg in fate, take care 💛😻🌟
The alcohol makes you think you are weaker than you are. I felt too weak to stop drinking on my own. I tried that way for years, because alcohol told me I could do it by myself. It doesn’t want you to stop drinking. I finally, out of desperation, took that one step I never took before.I asked for help from the right source. I made that phone call, I went to my first meeting and I kept going back . You can still make that one phone call.
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