My Story of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
Many people, including myself, have struggled with dependency on alcohol and drugs. It is a challenge to end the abuse and dependency, and reclaim our lives through some form of treatment. Personal strength and perseverance are key, and for young people with substance abuse problems strong parental support is a must. There is stigma attached to alcoholism and drug addiction. I know from experience it makes you feel more like a monster than a human being. However, these afflictions affect countless people from all walks of life: young and old, rich and poor, men and women, all faiths and all races. The one thing we have in common is that we saw that our lives had become unmanageable and have sought information and help. We are now in recovery, living healthy, productive and successful lives.
I am not a medical professional, but I was on the front lines of addiction for many years and have seen how it can ruin lives and families. Like it almost ruined mine. I have not used heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol or any mind and mood altering substances for 15 years. My name is Terry and I am a recovering alcoholic/addict.
When I was in school I had some friends but really wanted to fit in. I found it was easier to get in with the ‘cool’ crowd if I drank and used drugs. If we all liked getting high, it gave us instant community, substituting for having any deeper affinity, which took more effort to develop. I could talk with my so called “friends” about stuff that I didn’t think that my parents wanted to hear or would understand. My parents had a very small an interest in what I was doing. If I got into trouble then they were on my case but, if I got descent grades they pretty much didn’t care.
I started using at age 13. It began with alcohol, amphetamines and marijuana. I believe that I was an addict even before I picked up that first drink and drug. I had always felt uncomfortable in my own skin, but using made me feel normal. Before long, I was getting high compulsively. The effects of alcohol and drugs made it impossible to cope with the demands of school. There were many uninterested people that tried to give me help. School counselors referred me to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist told my mother it was a phase and I would grow out of it. Law enforcement would lock me up in detention thinking that was going to teach me a lesson. At no time did somebody ask me how much alcohol and drugs I was taking on a daily basis. I dropped out in my Junior year. It pained me to think that if my parents had been a little more involved I might have not fallen down this hole. However, we can only be responsible for ourselves.
So I reached adulthood with a serious addiction problem, but without education or basic living skills. I continued to do what I knew how to do best - drink and use drugs. I held lots of minimum wage jobs, but none lasted more than six months. I became dependent on welfare, my parents had pretty much disowned me at that point. I could not support my baby or myself. I repeatedly failed in my attempts to build a family. I had no parenting skills and my daughter was being raised in a dysfunctional home with her alcoholic mother and a drug addicted step dad.
I remember waking up one morning, after a night of vodka and Valium, unable to remember how I had come home the night before. I looked out the window and saw deep dents and scrapes in the side of my car. I thought that I had been the victim of a hit and run. I can still remember my first instance was to call the police, but then realized I should be the one who goes to jail because I then recalled a fuzzy memory of hitting two parked cars on the way home the night before.
While my addiction progressed, my little girl coped with a roller coaster of unpredictable behavior. I had some more confrontations with uninterested people. Law enforcement locked me up again and again. I would pull myself together just long enough to convince them that I was capable, but I’d start abusing drugs again as soon as each incident was over. Eventually I began injecting heroin and manufacturing methamphetamine. I spent every waking hour finding ways and means to get more drugs. Finally officials from my daughter’s school called the police because I showed up drunk to pick her up one day. At that point I lost all visitation rights. Not once did any of these people refer me to an alcohol and drug professional.
I finally "hit bottom" only after losing my daughter, my home, and my ability to work. At that point lying on my living room floor in a puddle of tears and vomit I had had enough. I wanted to know how to get out of this cycle. My first thought was go to some place with a lot of information. The public library was just up the street, so I went. I got on the computer and started doing research I found a lot of good info plus some great books online. I found out what path I need to take to get my little girl back. Along with learning treatments, I found out how to receive temporary financial support and help with housing. I also received training for employment and parenting skills. Taken together, these factors gave me the boost I needed to get my life back on track.
I went back to school, and this time I was able to maintain a GPA of 3.9. I completed my Bachelor’s degree and I now work with computer application software. I have found great joy in this field. I am grateful for the taxpayer dollars that were invested in me. Both national research and my own experience confirm that the small amount of money invested in substance abuse books and treatment returns many times the sum invested.
I was even able to stop smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes are one of the toughest things to quit. While I was going through the tough times I still had my cigs. The problem is that cigarette smoking they may be more of a health concern than some of the other substances. They were not really mind altering, but I had developed a serious cough. I realized I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren so I had to quit smoking too. Now my body feels better than ever.
The most heartening part of my story is the effect of my recovery on my daughter. After I began my recovery, I was able to build a stable home and provide the loving parenting my daughter deserved. In my recovery, I have been able to provide a positive role model for her by living a meaningful and productive life. A Life based on helping others. My daughter finally has a Parent that she can trust to be there for her. Today my daughter is 17 years old and is ready to start college. I am as proud of her as she is of me!
Recovery from addiction enables individuals to finally live the meaningful, productive lives that they deserve. I hope that sharing my story will help to lift the stigma from admitting addiction. It is my hope that my experience may inspire other people with similar problems to ask for help, and bring increased confidence to those in recovery so that they, too, can freely share their stories.
I am not a medical professional, but I was on the front lines of addiction for many years and have seen how it can ruin lives and families. Like it almost ruined mine. I have not used heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol or any mind and mood altering substances for 15 years. My name is Terry and I am a recovering alcoholic/addict.
When I was in school I had some friends but really wanted to fit in. I found it was easier to get in with the ‘cool’ crowd if I drank and used drugs. If we all liked getting high, it gave us instant community, substituting for having any deeper affinity, which took more effort to develop. I could talk with my so called “friends” about stuff that I didn’t think that my parents wanted to hear or would understand. My parents had a very small an interest in what I was doing. If I got into trouble then they were on my case but, if I got descent grades they pretty much didn’t care.
I started using at age 13. It began with alcohol, amphetamines and marijuana. I believe that I was an addict even before I picked up that first drink and drug. I had always felt uncomfortable in my own skin, but using made me feel normal. Before long, I was getting high compulsively. The effects of alcohol and drugs made it impossible to cope with the demands of school. There were many uninterested people that tried to give me help. School counselors referred me to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist told my mother it was a phase and I would grow out of it. Law enforcement would lock me up in detention thinking that was going to teach me a lesson. At no time did somebody ask me how much alcohol and drugs I was taking on a daily basis. I dropped out in my Junior year. It pained me to think that if my parents had been a little more involved I might have not fallen down this hole. However, we can only be responsible for ourselves.
So I reached adulthood with a serious addiction problem, but without education or basic living skills. I continued to do what I knew how to do best - drink and use drugs. I held lots of minimum wage jobs, but none lasted more than six months. I became dependent on welfare, my parents had pretty much disowned me at that point. I could not support my baby or myself. I repeatedly failed in my attempts to build a family. I had no parenting skills and my daughter was being raised in a dysfunctional home with her alcoholic mother and a drug addicted step dad.
I remember waking up one morning, after a night of vodka and Valium, unable to remember how I had come home the night before. I looked out the window and saw deep dents and scrapes in the side of my car. I thought that I had been the victim of a hit and run. I can still remember my first instance was to call the police, but then realized I should be the one who goes to jail because I then recalled a fuzzy memory of hitting two parked cars on the way home the night before.
While my addiction progressed, my little girl coped with a roller coaster of unpredictable behavior. I had some more confrontations with uninterested people. Law enforcement locked me up again and again. I would pull myself together just long enough to convince them that I was capable, but I’d start abusing drugs again as soon as each incident was over. Eventually I began injecting heroin and manufacturing methamphetamine. I spent every waking hour finding ways and means to get more drugs. Finally officials from my daughter’s school called the police because I showed up drunk to pick her up one day. At that point I lost all visitation rights. Not once did any of these people refer me to an alcohol and drug professional.
I finally "hit bottom" only after losing my daughter, my home, and my ability to work. At that point lying on my living room floor in a puddle of tears and vomit I had had enough. I wanted to know how to get out of this cycle. My first thought was go to some place with a lot of information. The public library was just up the street, so I went. I got on the computer and started doing research I found a lot of good info plus some great books online. I found out what path I need to take to get my little girl back. Along with learning treatments, I found out how to receive temporary financial support and help with housing. I also received training for employment and parenting skills. Taken together, these factors gave me the boost I needed to get my life back on track.
I went back to school, and this time I was able to maintain a GPA of 3.9. I completed my Bachelor’s degree and I now work with computer application software. I have found great joy in this field. I am grateful for the taxpayer dollars that were invested in me. Both national research and my own experience confirm that the small amount of money invested in substance abuse books and treatment returns many times the sum invested.
I was even able to stop smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes are one of the toughest things to quit. While I was going through the tough times I still had my cigs. The problem is that cigarette smoking they may be more of a health concern than some of the other substances. They were not really mind altering, but I had developed a serious cough. I realized I wanted to be around to see my grandchildren so I had to quit smoking too. Now my body feels better than ever.
The most heartening part of my story is the effect of my recovery on my daughter. After I began my recovery, I was able to build a stable home and provide the loving parenting my daughter deserved. In my recovery, I have been able to provide a positive role model for her by living a meaningful and productive life. A Life based on helping others. My daughter finally has a Parent that she can trust to be there for her. Today my daughter is 17 years old and is ready to start college. I am as proud of her as she is of me!
Recovery from addiction enables individuals to finally live the meaningful, productive lives that they deserve. I hope that sharing my story will help to lift the stigma from admitting addiction. It is my hope that my experience may inspire other people with similar problems to ask for help, and bring increased confidence to those in recovery so that they, too, can freely share their stories.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Solutions To Alcoholism
For many people, the facts about alcoholism are not clear. What is alcoholism, exactly? How does it differ from alcohol abuse? When should a person seek help for a problem related to his or her drinking? This informative web site has prepared solutions to alcoholism to help individuals and families answer these and other common questions about alcohol problems. The information below will explain alcoholism and alcohol abuse, symptoms of each, when and where to seek help, treatment choices, and additional helpful resources.
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