Samuel was a thirty-one-year-old financial planner who was sick of feeling depressed on a daily basis and fed up with his excessive and careless drinking behavior. In a word, he was irate with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a worthless habit, he missed his old enthusiasm for doing the things he liked, he was sick of feeling weary every morning, he hated the hangovers he experienced on a recurring basis, and he was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship because of his heavy drinking.
In addition he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his second DWI, he was bored with his drinking pals, he was irritated with the many times he failed an alcohol test at his workplace, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, and he was appalled with how physically unfit he was.
On top of the identifiable alcohol-related health difficulties he was experiencing, possibly the most damaging part of his drinking behavior was the unreliable and deceitful individual he had become. In his heart of hearts he knew that he had been untruthful about his drinking behavior to his relatives, family, and friends and he also knew he had been deceitful with himself about the “positive” outcomes of drinking. Not only this but he rationalized guzzling four or five drinks before going to social events and he also rationalized needing one or two drinks as soon as he got up so that he could deal with the “tension” at work.
His Depression and His Heavy and Hazardous Drinking Lead to Important Life Changes
Without a doubt Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse outcomes of his depression and his careless drinking and finally determined that something significant had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would quit 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.
Stated briefly, Samuel got to a time in his life during which he saw that he hit a low point in life and was now prepared to begin the slow and gradual road to health.
One of the ways that Samuel implemented his “plan” was by requesting a transfer at his workplace. When his request was approved, he moved 300 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this beyond doubt made making new friends and pals and dissociating himself from his old friends and pals simpler. Then he phoned a healthcare practitioner in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive physical examination.
Samuel Meets With a Doctor About His Hazardous Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the doctor and going through a number of lab tests, it was determined that Samuel had crossed the line from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and as a result was in need of alcohol detoxification and alcohol therapy. At this time, the healthcare practitioner made it a point to go over the diverse 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 determined that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical problem.
Samuel Decides to Fortify His Body by Working Out, Eating Wholesome Foods, Drinking Distilled Water, Vitamins and Minerals, and Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life
Due to his willingness to follow through with the rehabilitation therapy, after four weeks of residential rehabilitation, Samuel was ready to start rehab on an outpatient basis. At this time, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began building up his body by living an alcohol-free way of life, taking vitamins, going to the gym, drinking distilled water, and eating healthy foods.
Samuel also addressed his spiritual yearnings by joining the local Methodist church and attending the weekly services.
After around seven weeks of outpatient therapy during which time he never experienced an alcohol relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol rehab and instead began going three times per week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel follow through with his alcohol-free lifestyle, they provided him with the support he sought after, and they served as a constant reminder of the adverse consequences that are correlated with abusive and unhealthy drinking.
After going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings just about four-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started going out with Laura, a young lady he met at church. It clearly surprised Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his careless and excessive drinking under control. Indeed it also amazed Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his unhealthy drinking. Life was now wonderful and full of possibilities that he could have never longed for or accomplished when he was engaged in hazardous and abusive drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Testament to the Value of Alcohol Rehabilitation and the Power of Positive Change
Samuel’s success story is a testimony of the importance of alcohol therapy and the power of positive change. As Samuel reflected on his newfound self-respect and drive for involving himself in worthwhile, healthy activities, he was actually appreciative that he made up his mind to do something constructive about his unhealthy and excessive drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcohol addiction. The result: his life now has a positive direction, he is involved in a loving relationship, he likes his new job responsibilities, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, and he is in charge of his life rather than letting himself deteriorate under the control of his alcohol dependency.