I haven't written for a while but I have been logging on now and then to see how everyone is doing. All I can say is if I can do it you can do it. I owe 99% of the mistakes I have made in my 20's to alcohol. I shattered my wrist in 16 places falling out of bed drunk, (115 kg, 6'5 - wrong angle) one operation saw a plate go in with 8 screws. Rehab for a year and I am now going in to have the other side of my wrist fixed - rehab for three months. That didn't stop me drinking I then got on a motorbike tipsy and had a ride around my front yard, I fell off an needed a full shoulder reconstruction - same arm as the wrist at the same time - metal staples in the shoulder - first ride in an ambulance ever That didn't stop me drinking I was going through money like water, money I could ill afford That didn't stop me drinking. I was breaking the hearts of every member in my family not to mention embarrassing the shit out of myself That didn't stop me drinking. I was constantly full of regret and had over 100 (estimation) blackouts That didn't stop me drinking I could go on and on and on and on and on.
What did stop me? I finally realised I was going to kill someone, get myself killed or end up in jail for life - if cyrosis of the liver didn't kill me first or frontal lobe damage didn't completely fuck up my life. There are lots and lots of alcoholics in Prison... any OZ fans here? "Tobias Beacher" should ring a bell.
Anyway I changed my mindset and believe it or not it wasn't hard. I don't crave alcohol. I don't want it. I hate it for all it has done to me, all I have allowed it to do to me. Once you realise that you are actually at an advantage not drinking rather than missing out and realise you don't have a stop/go button allowing you to drink responsiblly it's easy and rationale.
For anyone approaching or in their 20's or anyone at all - don't make the same mistakes I did. If you feel yourself sliding down that slippery slope question where you are headed. You think it can't happen to you but it can and it does. I have now been sober since August 13. About 55 days. I am not counting them that's probably not the exact count I just did a rough estimation in my head. I know I won't drink again because of everything I have mentioned above.
You only get one shot at life - I have wasted 6 good years due to alcohol making stupid decisions blah blah blah blah if you are reading this the above probably resonates to a degree.
The point to this little thread? Realise all the horrendous stuff that can happen to you and decide to stop for yourself. Not anyone else - that doesn't work no matter how well intentioned you are. Realise also that alcohol does not discriminate. I have always been the dux of my schools. I am in good shape, uni degree, I had everything going for me and lost 6 years so quickly.
I am glad it wasn't 60 years and I thank the higher power for that every day - I just hope the above words inspire someone to change their mindset to being a happy non drinker and realise that the nastiness above CAN and WILL happen to you - it's liquid in a bottle, Nothing more, Nothing less.
If this helps just one person, I'll be happy.
I wish everyone a speedy escape from the grasp of alcohol whether you are 16 or 60.
Comment