Samuel was a forty-six-year-old fashion designer who was sick of feeling depressed everyday of his life and sick of his negative drinking behavior. In a word, he was sick of feeling lackluster every morning, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, he was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship due to his excessive drinking, he was angry with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a valueless habit, and he missed his old motivation for doing various things he enjoyed.
In addition he detested the fact that he had to go to court for his first DWI, he was bothered by the many times he failed to pass an alcohol test at work, he was bored with his drinking buddies, he was disgusted with how out-of-shape he was, and he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related lawyer fees.
Besides the perceptible alcohol-related health issues he was experiencing, probably the most troublesome part of his drinking routine was the untrustworthy and dishonest individual he had become. In his heart of hearts he knew that he had been lying about his drinking behavior to his friends, family, and relatives and he also knew he had been lying to himself about the “beneficial” effects of drinking. What is more, he justified wolfing down four or five drinks before going to social events and he also justified needing two or three drinks as soon as he got up so that he could cope with the "pressures" at his place of employment.
His Depression and His Abusive and Heavy Drinking Lead to Significant Life Changes
Clearly Samuel was sick of putting up with the negative effects of his depression and his hazardous and abusive drinking and finally determined that something major had to change in his life. So he decided that he would abstain from drinking, get professional counseling, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, start exercising, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, and develop a new circle of friends.
Simply put, Samuel got to a pivotal time in his life during which he understood that he hit rock bottom and was now prepared to start the gradual path that leads to health.
One of the ways that Samuel implemented his “plan” was by requesting a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was approved, he moved 800 miles away to a new part of the U.S.. If nothing else, this beyond doubt made making new friends and pals and distancing himself from his old buddies much easier. Then he visited with a doctor in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive examination.
Samuel Meets With a Doctor About His Excessive and Hazardous Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the healthcare professional 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 as a result was in need of alcohol detoxification and alcohol therapy. At this time, the healthcare professional made it a point to review 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 decided that he was clinically depressed and in need of therapy for this medical problem.
Samuel Makes up His Mind to Build Up His Body by Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle, Eating Nutritious Foods, Drinking Filtered Water, Taking Vitamins and Minerals, and Going to the Gym
Due to his enthusiasm for following through with the rehab therapy, after eight weeks of residential rehab, Samuel was ready to start rehabilitation on an outpatient basis. At this point, he began working at his new job and over the weeks began building up his body by taking vitamins, drinking spring water, living an alcohol-free lifestyle, eating wholesome foods, and working out.
Samuel also dealt with his spiritual life by joining the local Unitarian church and attending regular services.
After just about eight weeks of outpatient rehabilitation during which time he never suffered through an alcohol relapse, Samuel quit going to alcohol therapy and instead started going five times every week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free way of life, they provided him with the support he needed, and they served as a faithful reminder of the damaging consequences that are associated with abusive and careless drinking.
After going to AA meetings about five months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Marjorie, a young woman he met at church. It simply amazed Samuel how much more prepared he was for a dating relationship now that he had his excessive and careless drinking under control. In point of fact it also amazed Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his hazardous and abusive drinking. Life was now rewarding and loaded with possibilities that he could have never hoped for or brought to fruition when he was involved in careless and hazardous drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Statement of the Importance of Alcohol Therapy and the Power of Change
Samuel’s success story is a tribute to the significance of alcohol rehabilitation and the power of positive thinking. As Samuel thought about his newfound positive self image and drive for involving himself in worthwhile, healthy activities, he was actually appreciative that he made up his mind to do something worth while about his unhealthy drinking instead of giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcohol dependency. The result: he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, he is involved in a loving relationship, he enjoys his new job responsibilities, he is in charge of his life rather than letting himself languish under the control of his alcohol dependency, and his life now has a positive direction.
