I know it’s a deeply personal question, please forgive the intrusion. My only qualification for prying is I’ve been there.
In August and September 2003, and for many periods for months before this time, I seriously toyed with giving up the drink. As it worked out for me, the choice was taken from me when my first marriage ended – on Monday 22 September 2003 at 8pm. Only then was I motivated to stop drinking.
I am confident I would never have been motivated to end my drinking had I not lost my first marriage – I was clueless as to where that marriage was at. And yet, there was only one way forward for me – and I seriously haven’t looked back. Not that my life is perfect – I have my down days too! But I know that picking up a drink would be the worst thing I could do!
We underestimate the power for our wellness in doing the simple things well. Getting good sleep, eating well and not overeating, and exercising enough to work our bodies.
Alcohol contributes little to our lives, whereas, if we have a problem with it, it takes so much away. All these 21 years I’ve lived without it, and have never missed it. 7,768 days without a hangover. Never needed to worry if I’d had too many before driving. Always had the faculties of my mind in tricky social situations. No embarrassing gaffs. Nothing to hide.
I can imagine that there are many reading this that have a loved one with a massive drinking problem. Someone important to you that you cannot get through to. Until THEY see that they have the problem it’s hopeless.
Some people are motivated if they’re told that the drink is a life-death decision. But for many, even the threat of death or the death of a marriage or relationship isn’t enough to motivate them. Don’t be that person. Live your life. You can end the tyranny. Be a miracle.
My advice if you’re serious. Get to an AA meeting, be ready to listen and to share your story honestly, and commit yourself to whatever it takes. I know you will succeed. All it takes is a wholesome commitment to honesty.
The key is being consistently honest with ourselves and others.
Honesty within the construct of a program of making amends. The best life is a life of making amends. Deal honestly with your resentments. Be open to God working in your life. Give it your all for three months, and I know you won’t look back.
What have you got to lose?
I suspect if you’re considering this, you (like I had) have done enough drinking for one lifetime.
22 years ago I used to smoke cigarettes. It wasn’t until I noticed my brother who had never smoked that I realised people can live happily without cigarettes. It’s the same with alcohol. We can live without it!
IMAGE – myself with my three daughters in 1999.
