Insights from an Alcoholic

Alcoholism is deadly. Everyone involved suffers a loss. I would know. I'm an alcoholic. I have been clean for about three and a half years, and I hope to stay this way. In fact when alcohol and beer commercials invade my television and my mind, I am inclined to feel outrage. They are deceptive and misleading to young adults, and adults of all ages. Case in point if an individual is still learning their limitations regardless of age or life experience, a depressant like alcohol won't help you figure it out. One reason being these commercials and ads conflate alcohol with sex and the supposed in-crowd. This is a dangerous delusion that can lead to many problems, because people drinking begin to ignore their gut instincts and the inhibitions that help keep us alive. Another things to consider is that the process of self-actualization doesn't always roll with the hype, being it is an individual thing for everyone. Believe me when I say becoming an alcoholic is not sexy.

Ruining your life and the lives of others will not land you many friends nor their respect. What's even worse is when your friends brag about having a hangover the next morning, like it is cool to feel the backlash from a night of drinking. I wish someone would please explain how the residual headache, dehydration, nausea, and lack of energy is hip. It is disgusting when the lingering smell still hangs on a person after a night of drinking, too. Even worse is when people use alcohol to cope. Think about this for a moment, because whatever problems or issues a person is having will still be there in the morning. I don't care what you say, NO excuse is legit.

Once I was catching a ride in a cab and the cab driver had to pick up another customer. The man that got into the car reeked of alcohol, and the smell inclined me to barf. I use to smell like that, too. Alcohol invades the body and the mind to the point of barely being able to function without it. All one can think about is the next lush session. Even worse is when someone addicted to alcohol convinces hinself it is okay, only to repeat the process night after night. Yet when motor reactions creep to a halt and inhibitions fly out the door, even one drink becomes dangerous. In short people change once they have a few seemingly casual drinks. I have done things I would never do otherwise that I won't repeat here, but you can take a guess. It is also wise to learn your individual family history, because it will save you the pain of court-costs and rehabilitation in the long-run. Maybe if my mom had taken the time to inform me that her father is also an alcoholic, that might have had some influence because I at least would have been aware. Yet hindsight is twenty-twenty. The thing to remember is once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. Meaning if alcoholics make the mistake of even thinking for one minute that they are in the free and clear, simply because they have been clean for awhile, the addiction can rear it's ugly head when we least expect it. An alchohlic is never cured.