A Young Gentleman Hits The Bottom of the Barrel in Life, Works Through His Depression, Gets Alcohol Treatment for His Heavy and Abusive Drinking, and Increases His Self Esteem
Samuel was a thirty-two-year-old travel agent who was tired of feeling depressed everyday of his life and fed up with his hazardous and careless drinking behavior. Stated simply, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, he was mad at himself for spending his hard-earned money on a worthless habit, he was tired of going through shattered relationship after shattered relationship due to his irresponsible drinking, he was sick of feeling weary every morning, and he missed his old drive for doing the things he enjoyed.
Furthermore he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his second DUI, he was disgusted with how physically unfit he was, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, he was irritated with the many times he failed an alcohol test at work, and he was bored with his drinking buddies.
As well as the visible alcohol-related health problems he was experiencing, almost certainly the most damaging part of his drinking routine was the untrustworthy and dishonest individual he had become. In his heart he realized that he had been dishonest about his drinking behavior to his family, friends and relatives and he also knew he had been less than honest with himself about the “healthy” effects of drinking. What is more, he justified gulping three or four drinks before going to social events and he also made excuses for needing a few drinks as soon as he got up so that he could cope with the “pressures” at work.
His Depression and His Heavy and Irresponsible Drinking Lead to Important Changes in His Life
It was apparent that Samuel was sick of putting up with the negative consequences of his depression and his excessive and abusive drinking and finally made up his mind that something major had to change in his life. So he determined that he would stop drinking, start exercising, get professional counseling, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, develop a new circle of friends, and start focusing on becoming a more healthy person.
Stated briefly, Samuel got to a special time in his life during which he realized that he hit rock bottom and was now ready to start the gradual climb back to health.
One of the ways that Samuel put his “plan” info operation was by asking for a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was approved, he moved 800 miles away to a new state. If nothing else, this beyond doubt made making new friends and buddies and dissociating himself from his old pals much simpler. Then he visited with a doctor in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive psychological and physical examination.
Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Practitioner About His Excessive Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the healthcare professional and taking a number of lab tests, it was determined that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcoholism and consequently was in need of alcohol therapy and alcohol detoxification. At this time, the healthcare professional made it a point to go over the various signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term effects of alcohol with Samuel.
The healthcare practitioner then told Samuel that it was decided that he was clinically depressed and in need of treatment for this medical issue.
Samuel Decides to Fortify His Body by Eating Nutritious Foods, Drinking Distilled Water, Going to the Gym, Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle, and Taking Vitamins
Due to his eagerness to follow through with the rehab protocol, after four weeks of residential rehabilitation, Samuel was ready to begin rehab on an outpatient basis. At this point in time, he began working at his new job and over the weeks began fortifying his body by living an alcohol-free lifestyle, going to the gym, taking vitamins and minerals, eating wholesome foods, and drinking filtered water.
Samuel also addressed his spiritual yearnings by joining the local Anabaptist church and participating in regular services.
After just about six weeks of outpatient therapy during which time he never suffered through an alcohol relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol treatment and instead started going five times every week to local AA meetings. Attending these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free style of life, they provided him with the support he needed, and they served as a continual reminder of the destructive outcomes that are associated with hazardous and abusive drinking.
After going to AA meetings just about five-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Gail, a young woman he met at church. It clearly surprised Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his abusive and hazardous drinking under control. In point of fact it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his hazardous and abusive drinking. Life was now rewarding and loaded with potential that he could have never hoped for or accomplished when he was engaged in careless and excessive drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Testament to the Relevance of Alcohol Treatment and the Power of Positive Change
Samuel’s success story is a demonstration of the relevance of alcohol treatment and the power of positive change. As Samuel reflected on his newfound self-respect and drive for involving himself in worthwhile, healthy activities, he was actually grateful that he decided to do something positive about his excessive and unhealthy drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his addiction. The result: he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, his life now has a positive direction, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself suffer under the control of his alcoholism, he likes his new job responsibilities, and he is involved in a wholesome relationship.