An article with an update to the blog has been on my mind for a bit. I’ve kind of made up my mind that when I think about the articles here, that means I should take some time out and write something up. Something, something about moving from thought to action. It’s good practice.
I’m appreciative of the likes and comments and the fact that people are even reading these ramblings. So many topics to cover and get updates out there, but I guess this one is on my mind a bit so we’ll lead here and try to get to the other stuff in the next week. Lots of very interesting stuff happening in startup land, crypto space, and car stuff.
A very good friend of mine, arguably my best friend, “Larry”, called me at 9:37am this past Sunday morning. He never calls before noon on any day, much less Sunday. Something was wrong, I deduced.
Turns out I was right. His stepson was in the hospital after two seizures the previous Friday. He had been sitting with him for a couple days trying to be of whatever assistance he could be, listening to the doctors and nurses. Every single time the hospital staff came in, they asked the patient “George” about his alcohol consumption. My friend is no dummy and after awhile started to notice that “George” wasn’t being very honest about his answers.
So putting two and two together, it become obvious that there was an alcohol problem here, and turns out a very big one. This wasn’t the first time “George” had a seizure at 38 years old.
So why did I get the call at 9:37am on Sunday morning?
Well, August 4, 2022 was the anniversary date for my ninth year of sobriety and recovery from alcoholism.
Yes, I am an alcoholic.
I drink alcoholically. One drink is never enough, and two is too many.
Being as such makes me uniquely qualified to share my story and experience in the hopes that it may help others recover from the same. I was able to educate “Larry” a little bit more on my experiences with different programs, what finally caused me to say enough is enough, and how the same is available to “George”… if he wants to quit.
“Larry” asked me to come over to his house and talk to the rest of the family about what they might expect and what to do. I was happy to do so. I was able to offer some suggestions and basically said it’s going to be up to “George” ultimately about what to do with this life and death situation.
Talking with them took me back to 2013 when I was doing whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted irregardless of the consequences of my actions. The pain, suffering and humiliation of the last drinking spree never stayed with me long. I forgot and was soon doing the same stuff over and over, wondering how I got myself into these situations. It was a particularly bad incident that finally made me decide to get help. Facing a divorce, always feeling miserable no matter what material possessions I acquired, knowing deep down inside that I could do better, but doing the opposite, lying, cheating, stealing to cover up my drinking had finally taken a toll that I could no longer pay.
I reached out for help.
And it was there in the form of a 12 step recovery program.
It’s worked for me, and if it can work for me, it can work for others.
Since then, my life has been much better. Perfect? Not really. I’m human and I live on this world with other humans. Life is messy. However, I do not find it necessary to poison my body with alcohol to find relief from this condition nor put myself through the mental anguish and hopelessness of an untreated alcoholic state of mind.
Most times, that’s enough. When it’s not, I have a whole set of tools, friends, and support system available to me by just simply showing up to a meeting, and if able, put a dollar in a basket to pay for coffee and supplies. It’s pretty amazing really.
So all of this I was able to relay to my best friend “Larry” to give him and his family hope that their son might find the same and be able to live his life.
Sometimes things don’t work out the way you think they will, but they always work out the way they are supposed to. I’m at my best when I’m accepting of this and seek to find out what role I’m to play and do that to the best of my ability.
Be well, and if you need help, it’s out there. Please, please please have the courage to ask.
You are worth it!!!
Just a Dude 