Alcoholism Recovery - that was then, this is now

Author

that was then, this is now

window washer

2005-08-19, 8:47 am

August 18, 1987 -

After disappearing off of the radar for a week or so, my worried
parents sent my brothers to Ocean City looking for me. I was supposed
to be living at home taking summer school classes at Loyola. Someone
ratted me out that I was at the beach. Still don't know who that was.
Brothers discover me in what was probably to be my last week long
blackout drinking binge. I get in huge fight with them, but they
somehow convince me to call home, where my parents told me to sober up,
drive home, turn in my keys and get the hell out of their lives.

August 19, 1987 -

Somehow managed to sober up long enough to drive home relatively
safely. Withdrew from school, cleaned out my bank IRAs, packed my
clothes and called a buddy to drive me back down to OC for good.

While waiting for my ride in my room, I had an out of body experience.
(no lie) I was looking down at myself from what would have been the
attic. I saw me sitting there, my world going to shit with nothing more
than a suitcase, no friends, no plan, no ambition other than to get
drunk. Suddenly, for the first time it dawned on me - I was a XXXXing
alcoholic. Started balling. My Mom heard me and sat down next to me,
she started crying, too. Told her "Mom, I'm an alcoholic." She said "No
kidding, what are you gonna do about it?"

Got a lot of help, changed a lot of things. Haven't drank since. That
was 19 years ago today. Most anniversaries haven't meant much to me
since I hit 10 years, but I've been thinking about this one a lot.
Maybe because next year is 20. I honestly never thought I'd make it 30
days. Honestly haven't had an urge or craving since day 2, thank God
(literally).

August 19th, 2005

Got a great job. Wonderful wife. Physically fit. Family welcomes me,
even trust me to take their kids places. House, car, boat, bicycles.
Lots of friends (even a few Moos). Could not possibly ask for more.
Absolutely no doubt in my mind I'd have been dead before I hit 30. Turn
40 in November. Done things I'd never even dreamed I was capable of. My
life is in no way what I'd expected it to be, but way, way better than
ever imagined.

I know I've only been doing what most normal folks do every day - live
responsible lives, but damn it is good to be able to do so when you
never thought you could.

WACO

2005-08-20, 8:46 am

You're one lucky dude. I was in the same boat when YOU quit but I didn't
quit until I was forty. Looking back I think I had a few out of body
experiences as well but chalked it up to the beer,scotch and reefer but
unfortunately carried on.

window washer wrote:

> August 18, 1987 -
>
> After disappearing off of the radar for a week or so, my worried
> parents sent my brothers to Ocean City looking for me. I was supposed
> to be living at home taking summer school classes at Loyola. Someone
> ratted me out that I was at the beach. Still don't know who that was.
> Brothers discover me in what was probably to be my last week long
> blackout drinking binge. I get in huge fight with them, but they
> somehow convince me to call home, where my parents told me to sober up,
> drive home, turn in my keys and get the hell out of their lives.
>
> August 19, 1987 -
>
> Somehow managed to sober up long enough to drive home relatively
> safely. Withdrew from school, cleaned out my bank IRAs, packed my
> clothes and called a buddy to drive me back down to OC for good.
>
> While waiting for my ride in my room, I had an out of body experience.
> (no lie) I was looking down at myself from what would have been the
> attic. I saw me sitting there, my world going to shit with nothing more
> than a suitcase, no friends, no plan, no ambition other than to get
> drunk. Suddenly, for the first time it dawned on me - I was a XXXXing
> alcoholic. Started balling. My Mom heard me and sat down next to me,
> she started crying, too. Told her "Mom, I'm an alcoholic." She said "No
> kidding, what are you gonna do about it?"
>
> Got a lot of help, changed a lot of things. Haven't drank since. That
> was 19 years ago today. Most anniversaries haven't meant much to me
> since I hit 10 years, but I've been thinking about this one a lot.
> Maybe because next year is 20. I honestly never thought I'd make it 30
> days. Honestly haven't had an urge or craving since day 2, thank God
> (literally).
>
> August 19th, 2005
>
> Got a great job. Wonderful wife. Physically fit. Family welcomes me,
> even trust me to take their kids places. House, car, boat, bicycles.
> Lots of friends (even a few Moos). Could not possibly ask for more.
> Absolutely no doubt in my mind I'd have been dead before I hit 30. Turn
> 40 in November. Done things I'd never even dreamed I was capable of. My
> life is in no way what I'd expected it to be, but way, way better than
> ever imagined.
>
> I know I've only been doing what most normal folks do every day - live
> responsible lives, but damn it is good to be able to do so when you
> never thought you could.
>