A Young Man Hits The Bottom of the Barrel in Life, Overcomes His Depression, Gets Alcohol Rehab for His Heavy and Abusive Drinking, and Increases His Self Image
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009Samuel was a forty-six-year-old marketing manager who was sick of feeling depressed on a daily basis and sick of his hazardous and abusive drinking behavior. Stated simply, he was sick of feeling tired every morning, he was tired of going through broken relationship after broken relationship because of his heavy drinking, he missed his old enthusiasm for doing various things he liked, he hated the hangovers he experienced on a recurring basis, and he was mad at himself for spending his hard-earned money on a worthless habit.
Additionally he was annoyed with the many times he failed an alcohol test at his workplace, he was bored with his drinking friends, he despised the fact that he had to go to court for his first DUI, he was upset with how physically unfit he was, and he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related lawyer fees.
As well as the perceptible alcohol-related health problems he was experiencing, conceivably the unhealthiest part of his drinking behavior was the undependable and conniving person he had become. In his heart he realized that he had been deceitful about his drinking behavior to his friends, family, and relatives and he also knew he had been dishonest with himself about the “positive” outcomes of drinking. Not only this but he justified wolfing down three or four drinks before going to social events and he also rationalized needing two or three drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could deal with the “stress” at his job.
His Depression and His Abusive and Irresponsible Drinking Lead to Major Changes in His Life
Undoubtedly Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse effects of his depression and his unhealthy and abusive drinking and at long last made up his mind that something major had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would quit drinking, develop a new circle of friends, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, start exercising, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, and get professional counseling.
In brief, Samuel got to a pivotal time in his life during which he saw that he hit rock bottom and was now prepared to begin the gradual road that leads to health.
One of the ways that Samuel operationalized his “plan” was by requesting a transfer at his workplace. When his request was approved, he moved 900 miles away to a new state. If nothing else, this certainly made making new friends and separating himself from his old friends much easier. Then he visited with a healthcare professional in his new city and made an appointment for a thorough exam.
Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Practitioner About His Excessive Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the healthcare professional and taking a number of lab tests, it was determined that Samuel had made the unfortunate change from alcohol abuse to alcoholism and consequently was in need of alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehab. At this time, the healthcare professional made it a point to review the various signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term alcohol effects with Samuel.
The healthcare practitioner then told Samuel that it was decided that he was clinically depressed and in need of treatment for this medical problem.
Samuel Decides to Fortify His Body by Eating Wholesome Foods, Taking Vitamins and Minerals, Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life, Drinking Spring Water, and Exercising
Due to his readiness to follow through with the therapy protocol, after four weeks of inpatient rehab, Samuel was ready to begin rehab on an outpatient basis. At this point in time, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began revitalizing his body by exercising, taking vitamins and minerals, living an alcohol-free lifestyle, drinking spring water, and eating nutritious foods.
Samuel also came to grips with his spiritual yearnings by joining the local Unitarian church and going to the weekly services.
After around seven months of outpatient rehabilitation during which time he never suffered through a relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol treatment and instead began going five times per week to local AA meetings. Attending these meetings helped Samuel continue his alcohol-free lifestyle, they provided him with the support he needed, and they served as a unceasing reminder of the negative outcomes that are related to careless and abusive drinking.
After going to AA meetings nearly ten months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Phyllis, a young woman he met at church. It clearly surprised Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his abusive and unhealthy drinking under control. Indeed it also amazed Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his abusive and careless drinking. Life was now rewarding and loaded with possibilities that he could have never hoped for or made real when he was involved in excessive and hazardous drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Testament to the Relevance of Alcohol Therapy and the Power of Positive Thinking
Samuel’s success story is evidence of the value of alcohol rehabilitation and the power of change. As Samuel thought about his newfound self worth and drive for involving himself in worthwhile, healthy activities, he was actually thankful that he decided to do something positive about his careless and hazardous drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcoholism. The result: he is involved in a loving relationship, his life now has a positive direction, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself languish under the control of his alcoholism, he likes his new job responsibilities, and he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life.
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