It's 8:02pm on Monday evening here in Portland. I'm home alone. I went to Papa Murphy's Pizza and brought a pizza home, made a huge yummy salad, and sat down to watch the usual barrage of evening television. I stumbled upon A&E which I rarely see anymore. It was in the middle of a new series that A&E is running on drug and alcohol intervention. I had no idea what I was falling into. If you've had friends or family members who have struggled with alcohol or drug addiction, you know the stories. I don't need to tell you of the lifelong pain and struggle that may very well never end. And, of course, you know of my own beautiful sister's struggle over much of her 40+ years on this planet. The episode I saw was a husband and wife and three children. Suffice it to say that the pizza went by the wayside. Caught 100% offguard, I sobbed uncontrollably, doubled over with 40 or so years of the deepest and darkest shadows you can imagine. I don't think I know how far down the blackness goes. If you need help, get it. If you don't, count yourself one hell of a fortunate person. My own family has been inundated with alcoholics. Several have actually gone to their graves with no other physical issues except for alcohol abuse. The pain runs deep. The agony will truly never end even if the alcohol does stop flowing. So, I encourage you to watch. You won't be the same. I'm not.
20 comments:
My father lost his battle with alcohol by suicide. My son is exhibiting addictive behavior, and it is breaking my heart to see this sweet boy so hurt and angry. We are reeling as we try to deal with this.
A twelve-step program is essential for anyone dealing with any kind of addiction and for those who love them. I'm in constant contact with supportive and helpful, experienced people. You can't do it alone.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Lewis. You never know when your words are the saving message for a person who needs it.
Birdie
Amen, sister. Amen.
Want real excitement? Marry one!!
My last drinking episode was about
4 years ago and man was it bad.
Now I won't even have a sip of wine.
HUGS!!
Thank you, Lewis, for dedicating this post to a very important issue in our society. I was fortunate(?) enough to be raised amidst tea-totalers. I am not sure now that it was the answer, but I also have lived among and dealt with many people who needed the help that you describe. I saw many families and homes torn apart and destroyed by this insidiousness. I am saddened when I see others (particularly young people in their teens and twenties) heading down this road in total denial of the problem. My own niece is one of them.
I think I will check it out. I have a few friends that fall under this need.
I do work with a batterers intervention program. Many of the participants struggle with A & D issues. I can tell from week to week how they are doing with their battles. Much of the check-in time surrounds whether they resisted A & D or relapsed during the previous week. My heart goes out to ALL who wrestle with these demons!
I'll definitely check it out.
I got lucky. I drank heavily for 15 years, but backed off while in psychological counseling. I hardly drink at all anymore, and I'm drinking even less lately. I've seen friends turn into different people when drunk, as I know I did myself. Alcohol is a poison, no matter how socially accepted it is.
Yes, very well said. Just addictions period, no matter what or who they are for.
I got lucky as far as Alcohol, can take it or leave it. Older brother way intro drugs, scared me off those. Now, chocolate cake? That is a whole other matter. lol.
I too have siblings with addiction problems. No fun.
our family is going through one now, with my stepsister. They had the intervention this weekend. A tough one that has left my mom very drained.
one of the greatest tragedies of my professional life is seeing "A" who is with 'B", who is going to the devil with drugs and alcohol - and "A" feels helpless to stop "B".
Craig Ferguson, late night talk show host, makes it no secret that he is a recovering alcoholic. Watch this monologue from one night when he is unexpectedly poignant about the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bbaRyDLMvA
Hi club....it can be a good show to watch on occassion for sure..Its On Demand as well if you want to watch a whole bunch of them...
I've watched Intervention many times and it's hard to watch the "brutal" situations that arise on the show sometimes (i.e., how the addict treats others). I love the closing when they talk about the outcomes, sometimes not always successful. My oldest brother had alcohol problems which has kept me away from alcohol, including most social functions.
I love that show, I record it ever week on my DVR.
Now someone needs to do an intervention with you on that picture above... I'm just sayin...
We have an alcoholic in our extended family, though not in the immediate one. She has been sober for about six months now, and we're cautiously optimistic.
During your visit to our Web site, a customer-satisfaction survey may randomly appear. The survey gathers no personal information. Please help improve our site by taking the time to respond and completing the survey as accurately as possible.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Johnson Mathew
Alcohol abuse affects millions. This site has a lot of useful information.
Alcohol Abuse
Many times, addictions are not just limited to one substance and this is why there is something known as a drug alcohol intervention. A drug alcohol intervention is the same asBeautiful Cliffside Malibu is a licensed dual diagnois and addiction treatment facility any intervention in that your family and friends take an active role in helping you see the reality of your substance abuse and offering you the help you need, but it is focuses on both your drug and alcohol abuse instead of just one substance.
Liquor might make you feel all good and invincible the first time. Why, you don't even remember why you had a shot in the first place. That is, until its effect dies down. Then suddenly, you wake up and you are practically a lost soul.
Joseph
Drug Intervention Maine
Liquor might make you feel all good and invincible the first time. Why, you don't even remember why you had a shot in the first place. That is, until its effect dies down. Then suddenly, you wake up and you are practically a lost soul.
Post a Comment