A lot of good input from all in this post.
I like others once partied hard, and drank more than I should have. I had gotten caught in the cycle as well, drink, fun, hung over, sick, drink, work, fun, hungover. For me, the body started giving me reason to quit.
Friends, family, nothing could stop me. It was my life, and my decision. For the longest time the most I'd admit to is alcohol abuse. That's all it was, I wasn't an alcoholic. I would never go to AA or anything like that. No way. I did not have a problem.
Well, I did not hard party as long as some whom have shared their stories, and mine was more like 6 years hardcore, and then a few years of back and forth before giving it up completely. For me, the cardioversions because I became allergic to alcohol was the kicker. They called it holiday heart or some shit, but basically the alcohol would effect something in my body (like thyroid or something) and it would get my heart racing a day or two after a hard partying weekend. So I would have to go into the E.R. and get cardioverted back to a normal heart rhythm.
Well the doc told me hard liquor was probably doing it, and if I was going to drink, illiminate all hard liquor, and drink in moderation. So I did that, and for 5 years no more Jack, and hard stuff. Also no more trips to E.R.. But I would still drink atleast once a month and go on benders for 3-5 days.
Well last time I drank like that, I really pushed it on a 7 or 10 day drinkfest. Not getting hammered, just drinking that many days in a row. So when it came time to dry out, you guessed it. Back in E.R. for a cardioversion.
That was the last time. For me there were a number of factors that
made me want to stop. One, my sister and neice were there this time. So, although I had went through this a good 10 times prior, this was the first time I could see my decisions effected other people. Having to look at the concern, and realizing that they could lose me one of these times if I did not come back.
For those who do not know what a cardioversion is, they have to stop, and restart your heart. It can be dangerous, and you have to sign a waiver so if you get a clot, stroke out, or just do not come back you can't sue.
Second, the fact the hangovers have gotten to where I can't handle them. This last time, I was severe dehydrated for a week and a half. Dump o' flames, and sick, bedridden, and the rest. No sleep because of the DT's and all that fun. So the physical jut became too much for me to bear for a few hours of so called fun.
Now that I have been sober for I do not know how long now, I can tell you a few things from my perspective. One, I could never go to AA or someplace where I had to talk about it all the time, and keep reopening that chapter in my life. Since becoming sober, I rarely think about it. Even when out at the clubs, bars, or old haunts. The only time it creeps up in my mind, and I have that craving is being around others who talk about it all the time. So those kinda boo-hoo meetings are not for me. They may help some people, and I am not saying they are stronger, or weaker than me. But I do not need to talk about it over and over.
Second, like others have said, there were underlying issues. Which once sober, I resolved, illiminating the escapism. I think with most addiction, there is always something underlying the acting out, escaping, or self medicating.
Third, which alcoholism is classified as a disease, I do not think of it that way. I think of it as an addiction period. I believe most of the addicts out there, so pick your poision.. booze, drugs, cigs.. is a social, and mental issue. Not a physical one until you become an addict. Normally most people seem to get involved in smoking, drinking, or drugs through SOCIAL issues. It becomes a mental one when you associate booze with the bar, for example. I can't go to the bar WITHOUT booze. Or, you can't hang out wiht so and so because they will be firing up a bong, and I want some.
For most people, giving up something means you have to change your behavior to the point you do not hang out where you used to, with the same friends you had, and so on. So it's a social, behavior which leads to the mental and physical over time because you can't seperate the one from the other, and you've abused it to the point your body wants it.
Lastly, noone can make you quit. Not your gf, you wife, kids, friends, family, whatever.
You have to want to quit, and commit to staying clean. That is the only way it works. The treatment centers (from what I hear, never been myself) are 30-60-90 days to get that shit cleaned out of your system first, than you can see life through a clear mind, and then they help you find new ways to cope with the underlying issue(s). But from there, you have to commit to a life of sobrity. So it's kinda like retraining you to deal with life, once they get your head clear, and hopefully you are ready to listen.
Make no mistake, regardless of the addiction it's a tough road. It sounds like a lot of people who've posted in this thread have taken enough steps to leave it far behind in the rearview. Bravo to you, and your loved ones.
One last thing, I can't speak for everyone. But I think the reason a lot of treatment programs focus on religon is because you need faith, and something more to help pull you out of the tailspin. A lot of people dealing with addiction have a feeling of loneliness. Faith can fill that void. For years I strayed from the church, and I am not a reborn anything. But I know I refound my faith going through that tough time, and while I am spiritual, I do not preach to others. But if you can't believe in yourself, then belief in the Lord might be the spark that lights the fire and gets you on another path in life w/o drugs and alcohol.
Just my
