Samuel was a forty-nine-year-old financial planner who was fed up with feeling depressed everyday of his life and fed up with his careless and hazardous drinking behavior. Simply put, he was angry with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a worthless habit, he was tired of going through broken relationship after broken relationship due to his irresponsible drinking, he was sick of feeling tired every morning, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, and he missed his old drive for doing various things he enjoyed.

In addition he was irritated with the many times he failed an alcohol test at his workplace, he was upset with how physically unfit he was, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related lawyer fees, he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his third DUI, and he was bored with his drinking pals.

Above and beyond the observable alcohol-related health issues he now experienced, almost certainly the most damaging part of his drinking routine was the unreliable and fraudulent person he had become. In his heart of hearts he realized that he had been untruthful about his drinking behavior to his friends, family, and relatives and he also knew he had been less than honest with himself about the “beneficial” consequences of drinking. Not only this but he rationalized wolfing down two or three drinks before going to social events and he also made excuses for needing a few drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could cope with the “anxiety” at his place of employment.

His Depression and His Heavy and Hazardous Drinking Lead to Important Life Changes

Clearly Samuel was sick of putting up with the negative outcomes of his depression and his hazardous drinking and finally made up his mind that something major had to change in his life. So he decided that he would stop drinking, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, start exercising, get professional counseling, develop a new circle of friends, and start focusing on becoming a more healthy person.

In a word, Samuel got to a special time in his life during which he understood that he hit the bottom of the barrel in his life and was now prepared to commence the slow road that leads to recovery.

One of the ways that Samuel operationalized his “plan” was by asking for a transfer at his workplace. When his request was approved, he moved 250 miles away to a new part of the U.S.. If nothing else, this unquestionably made making new friends and separating himself from his old pals much easier. Then he went to see a healthcare practitioner in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive exam.

Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Practitioner About His Excessive and Irresponsible Drinking and His Depression

After meeting with the doctor and going through a number of laboratory tests, it was determined that Samuel had crossed the line from alcohol abuse to dependency on alcohol and therefore was in need of alcohol detox and alcohol therapy. At this time, the doctor made it a point to discuss the various signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about alcohol long term effects with Samuel.

The doctor then told Samuel that it was concluded that he was clinically depressed and in need of therapy for this medical condition.

Samuel Makes up His Mind to Revitalize His Body by Eating Healthy Foods, Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle, Working Out, Taking Vitamins, and Drinking Spring Water

Due to his eagerness to follow through with the therapy regimen, after seven weeks of residential rehabilitation, Samuel was ready to begin rehabilitation on an outpatient basis. At this point, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began fortifying his body by living an alcohol-free lifestyle, drinking spring water, eating nutritious foods, exercising, and taking vitamins.

Samuel also dealt with his spiritual life by joining the local Nazarene church and going to the weekly services.

After around seven months of outpatient rehab during which time he never suffered through a relapse, Samuel quit going to alcohol rehab and instead started going twice every week to local AA meetings. Attending these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free way of life, they provided him with the support he required, and they served as a unceasing reminder of the dangerous consequences that are associated with hazardous and excessive drinking.

After going to AA meetings nearly five-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Monica, a young lady he met at church. It clearly amazed Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his abusive and hazardous drinking under control. In truth it also surprised Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his excessive and abusive drinking. Life was now wonderful and full of potential that he could have never hoped for or made real when he was engaged in careless and excessive drinking less than a year ago.

A Success Story That is Evidence of the Importance of Alcohol Treatment and the Power of Change

Samuel’s success story is a statement of the importance of alcohol treatment and the power of positive change. As Samuel thought about his newfound self-respect and motivation for involving himself in healthy, worthwhile activities, he was actually thankful that he made up his mind to do something productive about his unhealthy drinking instead of giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcohol addiction. 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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Around a month ago I heard about a twenty-four-year-old man named Emmanuel who is bipolar and who is also alcohol and drug dependent. I remember reading that under such circumstances, an individual needs to get treatment for both medical problems and that mental health difficulties and addiction tend to take place in the same individual. Additionally, I recall reading that a history of unhealthy and abusive drinking, drug abuse, and/or mental health problems routinely happen in the same family.

Plainly, Emmanuel is so defeated by both of his medical issues and his relationship issues that he in actual fact has no motivation to do much of anything. What is particularly unfortunate about this is that earlier in his life, Emmanuel finished three-and-a-half-years of college. Emmanuel’s situation makes me question if he is an illustration of a person who has to hit rock-bottom before he or she gets drug and alcohol dependency rehabilitation that results in long lasting recovery.

The Need For a Psychologist He Trusts and a Treatment Protocol He Can Believe In

If I were in communication with Emmanuel I could recommend a number of websites that could possibly help him find information about addiction and alcoholic behavior, significant substance abuse information, facts about alcoholism and drugs, more information about addiction symptoms and alcoholism warning signs, and relationship info. In my humble opinion, nonetheless, Emmanuel needs to locate a psychologist he trusts and a counseling protocol he can believe in and follow through over the long term. I could be in error but it seems to make sense that Emmanuel more likely than not needs to admit the fact that he cannot drink at all or abuse drugs if he wants to get sober, remain sober, and start on the road to long-term sobriety.

I am aware that there are more than a few recently developed physician-prescribed medications that can help Emmanuel avoid an alcohol or a drug relapse, help him through his withdrawal symptoms, and help him through the drug and alcohol detox process. Obviously it would be in Emmanuel’s best interests if he became conversant with these drugs.

I would think that Emmanuel needs to concede the fact that there is utterly nothing beneficial about excessive and abusive drinking and drug addiction and that messing around with one or both situations is the map to financial difficulties, deteriorating health, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, a premature death, and legal problems.

The Relevance of Support Groups Such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

There are possibly numerous persons such as friends, other individuals, and family members who would want to help Emmanuel but he probably would experience greater acceptance from a recovery group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous instead of listening to people who drink responsibly or who have never taken drugs.

When People Accomplish Things They Love and About Which They Are Passionate

There’s a philosophical viewpoint that states that individuals who do things they like and something about which they are ardent arrive at an amazing place in life. That is, when people do what they love, they hardly ever experience boredom or an uneventful life. If they get involved in something that is fulfilling, what is more, they become more whole and experience more happiness and delight in life and in their relationships.

To me, this sounds quite a bit different from a life that is rooted in drug and alcohol addiction because such a lifestyle removes the gratification and joy that life has to offer.

Due to the fact that Emmanuel lacks the determination to achieve much of anything in his life, it is clear that he urgently needs some hope for a better life. And the unfortunate thing is that hope is all around Emmanuel if he could only get to the place in life to get the counseling he requires for his manic depression and drug addiction and alcoholism and remain in his treatment protocol.

More Solid Relationships, A Wonderful Life, Self Esteem, and Positive Change Are a Reality

Emmanuel is clearly too young to be defeated in life. He doesn’t understand this right now but if he can learn how to abstain from alcohol and drugs via drug and alcohol rehab and get the counseling he requires for his manic depression problem, he can redirect his life and start living with direction, passion, and with self-respect.

More positive relationships, a wonderful life, self respect, and constructive change are certainly a reality for Emmanuel if only he could get inspired to seek the medical treatment he needs, follow through with his therapy regimen, live his life in a healthy and drug and alcohol-free way, and cultivate a more positive attitude about his existence.

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It took many years but Emily eventually determined that she had enough with her husband’s abusive and hazardous drinking. She was exhausted from seeing Barry come home after midnight from drinking instead of spending much needed time with her and their two sons. She was also sick of the second DUI Barry recently got. Additionally she was weary from manufacturing reasons for her husband when he couldn’t make it to his job due to his problems with drinking. In a similar manner she was apprehensive about the fact that their relationship was crumbling due to Barry’s abusive and excessive drinking. And lastly she was fed up from the dangerous financial bind into which he had put his family because of his hazardous and abusive drinking behavior.

When Careless and Abusive Drinking Motivates a Person to do Something Productive About a Person’s Drinking Problem

One Thursday afternoon when Emily was reflecting on what she could do about her husband’s abusive and excessive drinking, she got to the point that she simply had to do something to cut into the negative cycle of Barry’s careless and hazardous drinking behavior.

So she looked on the web under “alcohol rehabilitation” and located quite a few rehab clinics that were all located less than twenty-five miles away from where her husband and she resided.

Because she didn’t know a great deal about these rehab centers, she finally determined that she needed to call some of them and ask some important questions. When she called each rehabilitation facility she identified who she was and articulated that Barry, her spouse, was manifesting careless and hazardous drinking behavior. She also mentioned that her spouse had a comprehensive health insurance program at work and that outpatient or residential alcoholism rehabilitation would be covered if a health care practitioner in the company health plan initiated the rehabilitation.

At one rehab center, Emily was surprised that she was able to speak directly with a healthcare practitioner who asked her to come in to describe her husband’s abusive and hazardous drinking behavior in more detail.

Emily Talks to a Physician About Her Husband’s Abusive and Hazardous Drinking

When Emily arrived at the treatment center, she filled out some paperwork and then after about ten or fifteen minutes got to see a counselor.

After listening to Emily talk about her husband’s negative drinking, the therapist in a caring but firm way told Emily how she may have adding to her husband’s excessive and careless drinking through the months and the years by minimizing his drinking behavior rather than letting him experience the results of his unhealthy and excessive drinking behavior.

Emily Learns That She Has Been Enabling Her Husband’s Irresponsible Drinking

In a word, the therapist told Emily that she may have been unintentionally enabling Barry’s negative drinking behavior. The healthcare professional also highlighted the fact that even though Emily could not control Barry’s actions, with the encouragement and support of the rehab team at the healthcare clinic she would not only be able to learn how to abstain from contributing to Barry’s unhealthy and abusive drinking but she would also be able to learn how to motivate him to make an appointment at the treatment clinic so that he could talk about his unhealthy and abusive drinking behavior with a healthcare professional.

Fortunately after Emily mentioned this to her husband, and he saw that she was serious, Barry told her that he had been quite troubled by his careless and hazardous drinking behavior and that he was somewhat pleased to hear that Emily wanted to do something beneficial about his careless drinking behavior. As a result, he made an appointment to see a physician at the local alcohol rehab clinic.

Barry Agrees to Meet With a Healthcare Practitioner About His Abusive and Careless Drinking

While simply calling a rehabilitation facility does not guarantee that an individual’s problem drinking behavior will end or that one’s warning signs of alcoholism or the alcohol abuse signs one displays will simply go away, making an appointment is obviously a requisite aspect in the rehabilitation process. And because Barry was serious about getting professional help for his excessive and unhealthy drinking, the probability for a successful recovery was significantly increased.

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It is fascinating to point out something that family members who have been unfavorably affected by the alcoholism of another family member apparently do not understand. It seems to be that by protecting the alcohol dependent individual with lies and deceit to those outside the family, these well-intentioned family members have in essence created a circumstance that makes it easier for the alcohol dependent person to continue and move forward with his or her harmful, devastating existence.

Without a doubt, rather than helping the alcoholic and themselves, these family members have basically become enablers who have involuntarily helped negatively affect the alcohol dependent person’s drinking problem even further.

Perhaps the real downside of this is that the alcohol addicted individual will continue drinking in an excessive and hazardous manner and go through various “alcohol side effects.” Some of these side effects include poor health, deteriorating relationships, considerable financial problems, employment difficulties, legal issues (such as getting arrested for one or more DUIs), and diminished mental functioning.

The Likelihood of a Relapse is Real

According to the research literature and statistics on alcohol addiction, another key alcohol addiction issue involves alcohol relapses. Relapses take place when an alcohol dependent individual has fruitfully gone through alcohol dependency rehab and then resorts to drinking a number of weeks or months later. At first thought, this situation flies in the face of logical thinking and seems so far-fetched that it forces an individual to question why anyone who has gone through the wretchedness of alcohol addiction can return to drinking a short while after effective alcohol rehab and in turn after attaining sobriety. There are, for sure, many plausible reasons for this.

It should be pointed out, nevertheless that alcoholism research that has centered on the lasting consequences of alcoholism has shown that long after the alcoholic has halted his or her drinking, major modifications in the way in which the alcohol dependent individual’s brain functions are still present. As a consequence, all a recovering alcoholic has to do to involve himself or herself in actions that correspond with the modifications that have occurred in the brain is to start drinking again.

The Necessity for A Critical Lifestyle Change

There are additional reasons why quite a few recovering alcohol dependent individuals return to drinking a few weeks or a few months after achieving sobriety. According to the alcohol dependency research literature, to make a successful recovery, the alcohol addicted person needs new ways of responding and thinking in order to deal more effectively with taxing alcohol-related situations that will take place.

Issues such as returning to the same alcohol addictive atmosphere or to the same geographic location; interacting once again with friends from the days when the alcohol addicted person was drinking in a hazardous manner; or familiar songs, smells, or activities—all of these circumstances can bring forth memories that can set off psychological anxiety or push hot buttons that influence the recovering alcohol addicted individual to engage in hazardous drinking once again. Regrettably, all of these circumstances may not only work against enduring sobriety for the alcohol dependent individual but they can also lead to relapse and thus short-circuit one’s alcohol recovery.

The Good News: There’s Light at the End of the Tunnel

In an attempt to “protect” the family alcohol dependent person, family members can in fact cause unintended destruction by enabling the unhealthy drinking behavior of the alcohol addicted individual.

The alcohol abuse research literature validates the fact that most individuals who successfully complete alcohol rehabilitation experience at least one relapse. Alcohol addicted individuals and their family members need to know this so that they do not get crestfallen or overwhelmed when a relapse happens.

Fortunately, involvement in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and follow-up treatment and training have resulted in more effective, enduring alcohol abuse and alcoholism therapeutic results, have helped decrease alcohol relapses, and have helped recovering alcohol dependent individuals reach enduring alcohol recovery.

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