What Makes an Alcoholic
Quit Like I Did
I grew up with an alcoholic mom. I'll never forget how much I wanted her to just quit. She finally got sober after many trips to the hospital and a few treatment center vacations.
During nineteen seventy nine (1979) we did a family intervention with her through the Care Unit organization. That was her final battle with the bottle for the next twenty five years before she died.
Medical research has labeled alcoholism as a disease (thinking disorder) and that it is passed through genetics. I can attest to the truth of these observations because I had a battle with being addicted to alcohol myself.
I understand the relentless thoughts that the brain emits which have the power to keep an addict bound in chains of defeat.
After mom died, I really progressed in drinking too much. Just a few years prior to her death, I went through a divorce. That's when I started drinking to have fun and cover over the pain of loosing a thirteen year marriage, my home and the right to be with my three children every day.
It took me six years from the time I started drinking at age thirty six to finally hit bottom and ask for help.
The night before going to my first AA meeting, I had gotten into a fight with a man three times my size. The next morning, when I looked at the road rash all across my face and partially bald head, I cried as I was holding an Ice House beer in my hand. I made a call to a relative to tell them I needed help and they pointed my toward Alcoholics Anonymous.
When I attended my first meeting a gentleman suggested that I ask God to take away the desire for a drink. I left the meeting with a white chip in my pocket and a commitment to quit drinking.
That night before falling asleep I asked God for help. The next day I awoke without the craving for alcohol. My next prayer was "God I don't want to become a religious fanatic."
He had touched me and done for me what I could not do for myself. I was fully aware that I had truly had a spiritual experience. In the past thirteen years of sobriety not one day has gone by without me talking to him.
I continued going to support group meetings and they did not have to tell me twice to NOT pick up a drink. I believed them when they said; "if you drink again you will go right back to where you were."
I knew they were telling the truth because I saw my mom go in and out of treatment centers until she finally stayed sober through attending AA.
They say what makes an alcoholic quit is when they finally hit bottom. If you are dealing with an alcoholic never give up hope.
Suddenly everything can change and they will reach out for help. Before my mother quit, she had to go down some very difficult roads. My journey to sobriety was a rough one as well. Here's the thing though, we both finally got sober and remained that way.
