Hi there,
I just found out last week that my cousin was admitted to hospital for a drugs and alcohol overdose in an attempt to take her own life. My cousin, a former model, has on paper everything to live for. Her relationship with her son's father broke up some time ago but she has always had a supportive family and no real financial worries.
What I don't get is why I find myself judging her a bit. I mean it's ironic because I am an alcoholic and have had my fair share of low points. I suppose my life has been tougher than hers so maybe I used that to justify my alcoholism - 'Poor me, lets pour another'. I found myself thinking if I had everything she had I wouldn't be drinking because I would be too busy off enjoying being alive. Now, I realise it is because I didn't understand the nature of addiction and that it cuts right across the socio-economic spectrum from prince to pauper.
My cousin has made these attempts before, has fallen down stairs and broken teeth while drunk, and been admitted to hospital on several occassions. It's funny - ever before I got help she would gravitate to me at family functions. She obviously knew I was alcoholic before I ever did. She is now in a rehab facility in Southern Ireland and allowed visits just once a week. My own drinking got me into horrendous situations but I never got to rehab. I'm still doing ok - three weeks sober and getting my meetings in. But I guess I'm a little worried that maybe those who get to rehab stand a greater chance? Do they? Perhaps not. My guess is that if you put enough faith in your HP then he/she will help you if you are in rehab or on a park bench.
Although, my councellor said that rehab is the rolls royce version of AA. I can't testify to that.
I hope you are all doing ok out there and it would be good to hear from you.
Ruth! Three weeks is awesome--keep on keeping on! I like that, "Poor me, Pour me..." The selfishness and selfcenteredness of this bizarre addiction simply amazes me! I was being selfish thinking I was being everything else--and feeling sorry for myself for having to do it. "If I could JUST be like others and not NEED TO WANT so much..." I, too, did the modeling thing for a while, published, auditioned for TV and movies, etc., and nothing was enough. Bottom line was that I was afraid of not being accepted so I proved every single day that I was worthy of you. Sicko me.
I've met people that have gone through treatment as many as 5 times. It's almost like an "uerlaub" or medical sabattical or something. Go to the sanitarium for a health break--then right back at it. For me, the COSTS of being an alcoholic were staggering--'cause I was going to have the BEST. I probably could have paid for several sanitarium breaks! For me the ONLY--I mean ONLY--thing that's worked for longer than a week or two at a time is AA. And whatever works, I'm gonna ride into the ground!
:)
Sorry about your cousin, really. I hope she recovers--it's a lot we needn't accept and CAN do something about. As you well know. Keep coming back--we're genuinely interested in how folks are doing.
I've met people that have gone through treatment as many as 5 times. It's almost like an "uerlaub" or medical sabattical or something. Go to the sanitarium for a health break--then right back at it. For me, the COSTS of being an alcoholic were staggering--'cause I was going to have the BEST. I probably could have paid for several sanitarium breaks! For me the ONLY--I mean ONLY--thing that's worked for longer than a week or two at a time is AA. And whatever works, I'm gonna ride into the ground!
:)
Sorry about your cousin, really. I hope she recovers--it's a lot we needn't accept and CAN do something about. As you well know. Keep coming back--we're genuinely interested in how folks are doing.
Gidday Ruth
Forget about the worry your head brings in about rehab as that is just addiction looking for an in.
Meetings will do just the same as rehab (as long as it is a total abstinence based rehab) what a rehab can do is offer a safe place and it can if the person is willing and not just on a holiday break fast track the understanding and learning about addiction but then you still have to leave and face the world so keep going to meetings and one day at a time the world gets a whole lot better.
Get in touch with your cousin if that is an option as she may need someone who understands and is family or maybe even you may help her family understand.
3 weeks awesome Ruth
light and love Zac
Forget about the worry your head brings in about rehab as that is just addiction looking for an in.
Meetings will do just the same as rehab (as long as it is a total abstinence based rehab) what a rehab can do is offer a safe place and it can if the person is willing and not just on a holiday break fast track the understanding and learning about addiction but then you still have to leave and face the world so keep going to meetings and one day at a time the world gets a whole lot better.
Get in touch with your cousin if that is an option as she may need someone who understands and is family or maybe even you may help her family understand.
3 weeks awesome Ruth
light and love Zac
So sorry to hear about your cousin Ruth...thank God you are sober, three weeks is terrific! I am told to be a "program of attraction" in regard to sobriety and to have a ear to listen for the still struggling and suffering alcoholic. I know the despair and depression that can come with alcoholism.
