Samuel was a forty-seven-year-old accountant who was fed up with feeling depressed everyday of his life and tired of his unhealthy and abusive drinking behavior. Stated simply, he was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship due to his immature drinking, he hated the hangovers he experienced on a regular basis, he missed his old enthusiasm for doing the things he liked, he was sick of feeling tired every morning, and he was annoyed with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a useless habit.
In addition he was disgusted with how out-of-shape he was, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, he was bored with his drinking friends, he was annoyed with the many times he failed to pass an alcohol test at work, and he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his second DUI.
On top of the visible alcohol-related health difficulties he was experiencing, probably the most regretful part of his drinking routine was the unreliable and conniving individual he had turned into. In his heart of hearts he knew that he had been less than honest about his drinking behavior to his family, friends and relatives and he also knew he had been lying to himself about the “beneficial” outcomes of drinking. Not only this but he rationalized gulping four or five drinks before going to social events and he also made excuses for needing one or two drinks as soon as he got up so that he could cope with the “tension” at work.
His Depression and His Hazardous and Heavy Drinking Lead to Important Changes in His Life
Clearly Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse effects of his depression and his careless and excessive drinking and finally made up his mind that something important had to change in his life. So he determined that he would refrain from drinking, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, develop a new circle of friends, start exercising, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, and get professional counseling.
Stated briefly, Samuel got to a pivotal time in his life during which he comprehended that he hit the bottom of the barrel in his life and was now prepared to commence the slow and gradual road to health.
One of the ways that Samuel put his “plan” info operation was by requesting a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was granted, he moved 500 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this positively made making new friends and separating himself from his old friends and pals simpler. Then he contacted a healthcare practitioner in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive psychological and physical examination.
Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Practitioner About His Hazardous and Heavy Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the healthcare practitioner and going through a number of laboratory tests, it was decided that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcoholism and therefore was in need of alcohol treatment and alcohol detoxification. At this time, the healthcare practitioner made it a point to discuss the various signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term alcohol effects with Samuel.
The physician then told Samuel that it was concluded that he was clinically depressed and in need of treatment for this medical problem.
Samuel Decides to Build Up His Body by Exercising, Taking Vitamins and Minerals, Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle, Drinking Spring Water, and Eating Nutritious Foods
Due to his eagerness to follow through with the therapy protocol, after three weeks of inpatient treatment, Samuel was ready to start therapy on an outpatient basis. At this time, he began working at his new job and over the weeks began revitalizing his body by taking vitamins and minerals, working out, eating nutritious foods, drinking distilled water, and living an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Samuel also came to grips with his spiritual yearnings by joining the local Calvinist church and attending the weekly services.
After roughly five weeks of outpatient treatment during which time he never experienced a relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol therapy and instead started going four times every week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel continue his alcohol-free lifestyle, they gave him the support he sought after, and they served as a continual reminder of the damaging consequences that are linked to careless drinking.
After going to AA meetings about five-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started going out with Amanda, a young woman he met at church. It simply astonished Samuel how much more prepared he was for a dating relationship now that he had his abusive and hazardous drinking under control. Indeed it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his careless and excessive drinking. Life was now joyful and loaded with possibilities that he could have never longed for or brought to fruition when he was involved in excessive and abusive drinking less than a year ago.
A Success Story That is a Verification of the Importance of Alcohol Therapy and the Power of Positive Thinking
Samuel’s success story is a statement of the value of alcohol rehab 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 productive about his hazardous and careless drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcohol dependency. The result: he is involved in a caring relationship, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, he enjoys his new job responsibilities, his life now has a positive direction, and he is in charge of his life rather than letting himself deteriorate under the control of his alcohol dependency.
