Growing up I had many things to be negative about, I had a stutter, I have a bald patch, I was overweight and am also quite short for a male at five foot four. I was one of the ones who walked around in a depressed state and I used to feel sorry for myself. Even when I write about it now, I laugh about how stupid I used to be.

As I entered into my twenties I was in real need to change the way in which I was living my life. I was quite fortunate in that I had a friend at the company (a front doors supplier), I worked for, who was to prove an inspiration to me. His name was Stuart, and even though this may seem cruel, Stuart did not have a lot going for him. I won’t go into details but lets just say even with the problems I felt I had, I was not jealous of him. I became quite good friends with Stuart and we would regularly have lunch together.

We would meet at around one o’clock and I would be stood there, no doubt looking gloomy, waiting for him to arrive. Arrive he certianly did, always with a beaming smile on his face. I could never quite work out how or why he had this attitude as for me was someone that had very little going for him. Whilst eating our food we would discuss various topics and I soon noticed about just how positive he was about everything. When he talked, he talked with passion, about his work and interests. One day it dawned on me, if Stuart (who from what I know of him, seemingly has nothing going for him) can always be positive, happy and smiling, why can’t I?

This was the beginning of my new outlook on life. An era of being positive, appreciating what I have got and more than anything else, plenty of smiles. I now am happy with my weight, height, bald patch and am proud to say I have now overcome my stuttering speech impediment. I also have a new career which is to do with offering people cheap hotel deals.

I hope this article proves to be of inspiration to at least some of its readers.

Brooke was a forty-year-old bookkeeper who was sick of feeling depressed everyday and fed up with her hazardous and excessive drinking behavior. Stated simply, she was irate with herself for spending her hard-earned money on a worthless habit, she missed her old enthusiasm for doing the things she liked, she was sick of feeling weary every morning, she hated the hangovers she experienced on a recurring basis, and she was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship because of her heavy drinking.

In addition she was disgusted with how out-of-shape she was, she was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, she was bored with her drinking friends, she was annoyed with the many times she failed to pass an alcohol test at work, and she hated the fact that she had to go to court for her second DUI.

As well as the obvious alcohol-related health difficulties she was going through, conceivably the unhealthiest part of her drinking routine was the untrustworthy and deceitful person she had turned into. In her heart of hearts she knew that she had been untruthful about her drinking behavior to her relatives, friends, and family and she also knew she had been less than truthful with herself about the “healthy” effects of drinking. Not only this but she rationalized wolfing down three or four drinks before going to social events and she also made excuses for needing two or three drinks the first thing in the morning so that she could deal with the “anxiety” at her place of employment.

Her Depression and Her Abusive and Hazardous Drinking Lead to Significant Changes in Her Life

It was apparent that that Brooke was sick of putting up with the adverse effects of her depression and her abusive and unhealthy drinking and finally made up her mind that something significant had to change in her life. So she determined that she would abstain from drinking, develop a new circle of friends, involve herself in some worthwhile hobbies, get professional counseling, start exercising, and start focusing on becoming a more healthy person.

Stated simply, Brooke got to a pivotal time in her life during which she comprehended that she hit the bottom of the barrel in her life and was now ready to commence the slow path that leads to recovery.

One of the ways that Brooke operationalized her “plan” was by requesting a transfer at her place of employment. When her request was granted, she moved 250 miles away to a new part of the U.S.. If nothing else, this unquestionably made making new friends and pals and disconnecting herself from her old pals much simpler. Then she phoned a healthcare practitioner in her new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive physical exam.

Brooke Meets With a Physician About Her Heavy and Excessive Drinking and Her Depression

After meeting with the physician and going through a number of laboratory tests, it was determined that Brooke had crossed the line from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and therefore was in need of alcohol treatment and alcohol detox. At this time, the healthcare professional made it a point to discuss the various signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term alcohol effects with Brooke.

The doctor then told Brooke that it was decided that she was clinically depressed and in need of treatment for this medical issue.

Brooke Makes up Her Mind to Fortify Her Body by Exercising, Taking Vitamins and Minerals, Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle, Drinking Spring Water, and Eating Nutritious Foods

Due to her eagerness to follow through with the therapy program, after four weeks of residential rehabilitation, Brooke was ready to begin rehab on an outpatient basis. At this point in time, she began working at her new job and over the weeks began building up her body by drinking distilled water, living an alcohol-free way of life, going to the gym, eating wholesome foods, and taking vitamins.

Brooke also tackled her spiritual concerns by joining the local Pentecostal church and going to regular services.

After approximately seven months of outpatient rehabilitation during which time she never suffered through a relapse, Brooke stopped going to alcohol rehab and instead began going three times every week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Brooke follow through with her alcohol-free way of life, they provided her with the support she needed, and they served as a persistent reminder of the destructive results that are linked to unhealthy and abusive drinking.

After going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings about five-and-a-half months Brooke felt that she was ready for a relationship and so she started going out with Lucas, a young gentleman she met at church. It clearly amazed Brooke how much more ready she was for a dating relationship now that she had her unhealthy and excessive drinking under control. In point of fact it also amazed Brooke how much better life was now that she wasn’t under the control of her excessive and careless drinking. Life was now pleasurable and full of potential that she could have never longed for or attained when she was engaged in hazardous drinking less than a year ago.

A Success Story That is a Testimony of the Value of Alcohol Rehab and the Power of Change

Brooke’s success story is proof of the relevance of alcohol rehabilitation and the power of change. As Brooke reflected on her newfound positive self image and motivation for involving herself in worthwhile, healthy activities, she was actually appreciative that she made up her mind to do something productive about her hazardous and careless drinking rather than giving into her depression and into the lure of her alcoholism. The result: she is in control of her life rather than letting herself stay under the control of her alcoholism, she enjoys her new job responsibilities, she has more energy now compared with any time in her adult life, she is involved in a caring relationship, and her life now has a positive direction.

For the past thirteen years Jenny has been an RN at a large metropolitan hospital. In addition she has also been teaching Sunday school at the local Nazarene Church. Even though she lived in a medium size countryside town where it seemed like every person knew everyone’s business, almost nothing was known about Jenny. Needless to say almost everyone knew that she had worked quite a few years as a nurse and that she taught Sunday school for as long as she was a resident of their small town. Besides that, then again, it almost seemed as if Jenny was merely a visitor in their community.

You can imagine the hubbub that was created when it was discovered that one Sunday morning Jenny had passed out due to too much alcohol. To be sure, the article in the hometown weekly newspaper claimed that Jenny not only passed out, but that she also received a DWI because her blood alcohol concentration was substantially higher than the legal limit for intoxication. This is clearly one of the alcohol effects on the body that no Sunday school teacher wants to have made known to the entire community. But this is exactly what occurred, much to the embarrassment of Jenny.

Jenny Gets Quite Troubled About Her Arrest for Drunk Driving

It almost goes without saying that Jenny was very unhappy about her arrest for driving while inebriated. Not only should she have known better about drinking and driving because of her nursing position, but she also should have conducted herself according to a more lofty yardstick because of the simple fact that she taught Sunday school.

After her arrest for driving while under the influence, Jenny thought about moving out of town so that she would not have to feel dismayed about her arrest and also so she wouldn’t have to justify her actions for the five hundredth time to the other members of her community. After discussing things with her minister, however, she finally determined that she would get alcohol counseling at a local rehabilitation center. She did this for two simple reasons. First, it was relatively easy for her to drive to a local rehab hospital. And second, she honesty wanted the word to get spread among all the individuals in the community that she was in all honesty dealing with her unhealthy and excessive drinking.

Jenny Goes Through Detox and Gets an Extensive Examination

After Jenny went through detox, she was thoroughly examined by a healthcare professional at the drug and alcohol rehabilitation hospital. She then underwent a variety of laboratory tests where it was determined that she was not dependent on alcohol but instead was engaging in irresponsible and abusive drinking. In short Jenny was engaging in long term alcohol abuse.

Jenny was provided with the alternative of getting alcohol counseling as an in-patient or getting alcohol rehab as an outpatient. Jenny, then again, believed that she could still work as a nurse and keep her Sunday school teaching position if she were to be registered as an out-patient and this is precisely what she did.

According to her treatment action plan, Jenny went to two rehab sessions every week, she learned a lot about alcohol info, she worked on her take home “projects,” and she found out how to do things in life without having a need for alcohol.

After nineteen weeks, Jenny thought that her drinking problems were under control and so she got released from the drug and alcohol treatment center under the proviso that she would return for follow up counseling once per month for the next eight months. Jenny signed an agreement form and followed through on her “word of honor.”

Jenny Makes up Her Mind to Stay Away From Any and All Drinking Circumstances and Finds Out That Her Self Respect Becomes More Pronounced

After she finished her counseling Jenny reasoned that she would be able to drink in moderation. After pondering her situation more intently, nevertheless, she arrived at a decision that she would completely abstain from any and all drinking circumstances.

When Jenny arrived at this conclusion, she found out that her sense of worth became stronger the more she was in charge of her life. And as her positive attitude about herself became more established, it seemed like she became more outgoing and started attending more community functions such as local high school basketball and football games, music festivals, carnivals, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, flower festivals, rib roasts, and strawberry festivals.

Jenny Faces Her Abusive and Irresponsible Drinking, Decides To Do Something Constructive About It, and Reaffirms Her Faith

As the years went by, the people in the town expressed more consideration for Jenny because she was intermingling with them more routinely and also because she addressed her excessive and hazardous drinking and decided to do something positive about it. It may have been her imagination, but it also seemed as if her Sunday school students displayed more respect and affection for her.

Jenny is a living illustration of someone who had a hazardous problem and who did something beneficial about it. She is also a person who learned that her religious faith is not only something that is intrinsic, but that it is also something that affects the way in which a person relates to other people.

For the past ten years Natalie has been a registered nurse at a urban hospital. As a professional nurse, she evidently knew what to tell her patients concerning their health difficulties but in her off-duty life, nevertheless, she clearly didn’t practice what she preached. As an example, she normally drank in an irresponsible and excessive manner, she never got into physical exercise, she smoked roughly two packs of cigarettes everyday, and she was more or less forty-four pounds overweight.

Natalie Gets Into A Vehicle Accident, Fails A Breathalyzer Test, and Goes to The Local Jail

One evening on her way to the hospital, Natalie got into a car accident. Due to the fact that the accident was her fault and since her speech was jumbled when she spoke, the arresting officer had her take a breathalyzer test. In accord with standard law enforcement operating procedures, when a person is involved in a car accident and tests positive for a breathalyzer test, the individual has to spend at least two hours in jail.

Actually, Natalie should have known better than to drive after she was drinking because she recently attended an “alcohol abuse awareness” class at the hospital that centered on statistics, issues, and information about alcohol facts such as the following: alcohol poisoning, binge drinking, DUIs, and the primary differences between alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction.

Natalie is Feeling Quite a Bit of Shame About Her Automobile Accident

It almost goes without saying that Natalie experienced more than a little shame about her vehicle accident. Furthermore, she experienced quite a bit of shame about the fact that the accident was her fault. And perhaps worst of all, she was quite embarrassed about the fact that she was driving after she had been drinking. As Natalie thought about this event, however, she perceived that it could have been far worse because at work, when a alcohol blood test is given and failed, the individual has to go to mandatory alcohol counseling and is placed on non-pay status. This was merely one of the alcohol facts that was a reality at the hospital and not much could be expected to change this fact.

Natalie’s Shame and Depression About Her Traffic Accident Encourages Her To Go Over Her Life and Make Some Substantial and Healthy Modifications

At any rate, Natalie’s disgrace about her automobile accident motivated her to reexamine her life and make some significant and beneficial alterations. First, she was going to stop drinking in an excessive and irresponsible manner. Second, she was going to quit smoking. Third, she was going to lose some weight. And fourth, she was going to start exercising.

As disconcerted and depressed as Natalie was about the entire car accident situation, she used this awful experience as a catalyst for positive change. In addition, she used her negative experience as a real source of revelation that she had been neglecting her own health while she openly told other individuals how to live a more healthy life. At last, she finally saw the two-facedness in her behavior and made up her mind that she would live her life as a constructive source of motivation for other individuals.

It is fascinating to mention something that family members who have been unfavorably affected by the alcohol dependency of another family member plainly do not realize. It seems that by protecting the alcohol dependent individual with falsehoods and deceitfulness to those outside the family, these well-intentioned family members have essentially created a condition that makes it easier for the alcohol addicted individual to persevere and proceed with his or her harmful, destructive existence.

To be sure, rather than helping the alcohol dependent individual and themselves, these family members have in fact become enablers who have involuntarily helped deteriorate the alcoholic’s drinking problem even further.

Perhaps the real downside of this is that the alcohol addicted individual will continue drinking in a hazardous and excessive manner and suffer from a range of “alcohol side effects.” Some of these side effects include employment difficulties, legal issues (such as getting arrested for one or more DWIs), ill health, deteriorating relationships, serious financial problems, and diminished mental functioning.

Relapses Can and Do Transpire

According to the research findings and statistics on alcohol dependency, another key alcoholism issue involves alcohol relapses. Relapses take place when an alcohol addicted individual has effectively undergone alcohol dependency therapy and then returns to drinking a number of weeks or months later. At first glance, this situation seems contradictory to sound thinking and appears to be so improbable that it forces a person to speculate why anyone who has gone through the dejection of alcohol addiction can return to drinking a short while after effective alcohol treatment and in turn after reaching recovery. There are, of course, many likely reasons for this.

It should be noted, then again that alcohol dependency research that has focused on the long standing outcomes of alcohol dependency has shown that long after the alcohol dependent individual has halted his or her drinking, critical alterations in the way in which the alcohol addicted person’s brain operates are still present. As a consequence, all a recovering alcohol addicted person has to do to involve himself or herself in actions that correspond with the changes that have taken place in the brain is to start drinking once again.

The Need for A Crucial Lifestyle Change

There are additional reasons why quite a lot of recovering alcohol dependent individuals return to drinking a few weeks or a few months after attaining sobriety. According to the alcohol addiction research literature, to make a successful recovery, the alcohol dependent individual needs new ways of responding and thinking in order to deal more competently with difficult alcohol-related circumstances that will take place.

Conditions such as returning to the same alcohol addictive environment or to the same geographic location; interacting once again with friends from the days when the alcohol dependent person was drinking abusively; or familiar songs, smells, or activities—all of these conditions can elicit memories that can trigger psychological tension or push hot buttons that influence the recovering alcohol dependent person to engage in irresponsible drinking once again. Sadly, all of these circumstances may not only work against ongoing sobriety for the alcoholic but they can also result in relapse and consequently counteract one’s alcohol recovery.

The Good News: There’s a Lot of Hope for Lasting Sobriety

In an attempt to “protect” the family alcohol addicted person, family members can in point of fact cause unintended harm by enabling the unsafe drinking behavior of the alcoholic.

The drug abuse research literature highlights the fact that most people who effectively complete alcohol rehabilitation go through at least one relapse. Alcohol addicted individuals and their family members need to know this so that they do not get dejected or overwhelmed when a relapse manifests itself.

Happily, involvement in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and follow-up rehab and education have resulted in more successful, enduring alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency therapeutic outcomes, have helped diminish alcohol relapses, and have helped recovering alcohol dependent individuals reach ongoing alcohol recovery.