Barry used to boast to his drinking pals how he could stay employed at a difficult and fulltime job and get drunk virtually every night. Unfortunately, after engaging in this destructive lifestyle for around four-and-a-half years, he started to display various alcohol related difficulties.

Barry Begins to Experience Several Alcohol Related Issues

As an illustration, he had a very hard time getting up for work because he felt so little energy when he got up. Moreover, most mornings Barry suffered through a horrible hangover. In short, the combination of his hangovers and his lack of energy did not make it easy for him to get up and feel like he wanted to go to work. To make things more difficult, about a week ago he received his second DWI in the past four months.

To complicate things further, at his job his last two work evaluations were less than tolerable. And finally, his marriage with his wife had declined due to his depression, angry outbursts, financial difficulties, and his lack of patience.

Even though Barry was only twenty-four years old, he frankly started looking like he was in his mid forties. Sadly, this is what irresponsible and abusive drinking can do to an individual. And in truth he understood that he was experiencing the adverse consequences of alcohol abuse or alcoholism and that he was too young to throw away his life to unhealthy and abusive drinking. So initially he tried to drink responsibly and in moderation. Sadly, he soon grasped the fact that he lost all control after consuming his first drink. Stated somewhat more forcefully, after his first drink he invariably proceeded to get intoxicated. Due to the fact that this was an event that was repeated every single time he drank, this greatly disturbed him. In fact, he began to wonder if he was manifesting some of the signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Barry Makes up His Mind To Make an Appointment to See His Doctor

After mentioning his excessive alcohol drinking and his abusive drinking with his wife, he eventually decided to make an appointment to see his physician. When Barry saw his healthcare professional, he openly confirmed that he has been drinking in a hazardous manner, that he may be exhibiting alcoholic signs, and that he wants to stop drinking. He then said that drinking in moderation doesn’t work for him and, consequently, he wants to learn how he can live without drinking alcohol.

Barry also told his family doctor about his depression and how this mental health issue was adversely influencing his relationship with his wife. His family doctor referred Barry to Doctor Welty, an alcohol and drug addiction therapist, who convinced Barry to enroll in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility as an in-patient for alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehabilitation. Fortunately, Barry would also be able to get medical attention for his depression at this treatment center.

Stopping Drinking Was the Best Decision Barry Had Ever Made

After six months of comprehensive treatment, Barry left the residential treatment center and continued his recovery via going to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and via outpatient counseling. Encouraged to change his life in a healthier way, Barry bought some vitamins at a health store and a cookbook. He then joined a fitness center and began working out three or four times per week. Within four months Barry was a new man. He now looked younger than he was, he wasn’t depressed anymore, he was in shape, he was eating nutritious meals, and most important of all, he remained sober for numerous months. He also didn’t resort to angry outbursts, he became more patient, and he became a more compassionate person in his relationship with his wife. Stated simply, refraining from drinking was the best decision Barry had ever made.

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.

Jerry and Sarah have been married for four years. They wanted to experience some fun and excitement before they decided to have children and so they by design developed an exceptionally active social life.

The major issue, it needs to be emphasized, is that practically everything they do with their family and friends somehow includes drinking. As an illustration, all of the family get-togethers, sporting events, parties with friends, dinner engagements, and happy hours they patronize are associated with drinking.

Sarah and Jerry Start to Notice Some Definite Alcohol Related Problems That are Linked to Their Hazardous Drinking

If they were responsible or moderate drinkers, this wouldn’t be a major problem. Given the fact that they drink in an irresponsible manner, nevertheless, they are beginning to perceive some instantly recognizable alcohol-related issues in their lives.

As an illustration, just a week ago Jerry was arrested for a second DUI and has been calling off from work due to alcohol-related health problems. In addition, Jerry’s last two performance appraisals at his place of employment have been less than average and he has started to fail to remember what he does or says the times that he drinks. Lastly, Jerry has been experiencing sleep-related problems and his family is starting to display anxiety about his drinking circumstances.

Sarah, on the other hand, has been feeling down in the dumps about life and to come to grips with these feelings, she has been drinking more regularly than any time in the past eight months. In addition, Sarah has been experiencing quite a few throbbing migraine headaches and experiencing dreadful hangovers due to her drinking. Finally, Sarah has been feeling considerably less active when she awakens, she has been getting to work late at least once per week, and she has been receiving some insensitive criticism from her family members, relatives, coworkers, and friends about her abusive drinking.

Watching the Television and Going Through the Channels and Finding An Enchanting Documentary About the Signs of Alcohol Addiction

One Friday evening while watching TV, Jerry and Sarah went through the channels and discovered an interesting documentary about the signs of alcoholism.

This television program was a real source of revelation to Sarah and Jerry because some of the alcoholism signs that were featured seemed like they were unwaveringly associated with more than a few of the alcohol-related drinking problems Sarah and Jerry had been experiencing.

A Candid Chat About Drinking Situations Brings to Light Alcohol Related Health, Employment, Legal, Financial, and Relationship Problems

After watching the TV documentary, Sarah and Jerry determined that they needed to have a frank conversation about their drinking condition. They both agreed that most, if not all, of their social functions included drinking, that they were drinking in a hazardous manner, and that as a couple, they were beginning to see alcohol related legal, relationship, employment, financial, and health problems for the first time in their lives.

With thoughts of the TV program still fresh in her mind, Sarah asked Jerry if some of the alcohol dependency signs they have been exhibiting could mean that they are addicted to alcohol or maybe becoming alcohol dependent. Jerry didn’t know the answer to Sarah’s question and so he recommended that they make an appointment with one of the healthcare professionals at the nearby drug and alcohol treatment center to find out more about the gravity of their drinking situation.

Coming to Grips With Your Drinking Problems Might Lessen Your Anxiety and Give You A Sense of Calm

Paradoxically, although their drinking circumstances hadn’t yet changed, it was apparent that Sarah and Jerry were at least dealing with their drinking problems, they were ready to find out more about their drinking situation, and they were interested in learning how they could notably lessen or do away with the alcohol-related difficulties that had begun to worsen.

When Sarah and Jerry went to bed that night, they made up their minds that the next afternoon, Jerry would call and make an appointment for both of them at the drug and alcohol abuse rehab clinic located just South of the State Capital. After they promised one another that they would do whatever it takes to triumph over the alcohol-related problems that had become apparent in their lives, they in point of fact had the most refreshing night’s sleep they could bring to mind in the last six weeks.

Just before he fell asleep, Jerry turned to Sarah and pointed out how effortless it is to reduce one’s sense of dread and actually experience some serenity by facing one’s problems straight on and coming to a decision to do something positive about them.