A Young Male Hits a Low Point in His Life, Conquers His Depression, Gets Alcohol Rehab for His Excessive and Abusive Drinking, and Increases His Self Esteem
Samuel was a forty-four-year-old graphic designer who was tired of feeling depressed everyday of his life and tired of his careless drinking behavior. Stated simply, he was sick of feeling tired every morning, he was angry with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a valueless habit, he was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship because of his irresponsible drinking, he missed his old drive for doing various things he enjoyed, and he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis.
Additionally he was irritated with the many times he failed an alcohol test at his place of employment, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, he was disgusted with how out-of-shape he was, he was bored with his drinking buddies, and he detested the fact that he had to go to court for his first DUI.
On top of the visible alcohol-related health difficulties he now experienced, conceivably the nastiest part of his drinking behavior was the undependable and fraudulent person he had become. In his heart he knew that he had been dishonest about his drinking behavior to his family, friends and relatives and he also knew he had been deceitful with himself about the “positive” effects of drinking. What is more, he made excuses for wolfing down four or five drinks before going to social events and he also rationalized needing two or three drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could manage the "stress" at his job.
His Depression and His Excessive and Irresponsible Drinking Result in Major Life Changes
Undoubtedly Samuel was sick of putting up with the negative effects of his depression and his careless and excessive drinking and at long last finally decided that something major had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would refrain from 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 time in his life during which he realized that he hit the bottom of the barrel in his life and was now ready to begin the slow road that leads to recovery.
One of the ways that Samuel initiated his “plan” was by asking for a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was granted, he moved 600 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this certainly made making new friends and detaching himself from his old buddies easier. Then he visited with a doctor in his new city and made an appointment for a complete physical exam.
Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Practitioner About His Hazardous and Excessive Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the healthcare professional and going through a number of laboratory tests, it was decided that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to dependency on alcohol and consequently was in need of alcohol treatment and alcohol detoxification. At this time, the healthcare practitioner 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 healthcare practitioner then told Samuel that it was determined that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical condition.
Samuel Decides to Revitalize His Body by Eating Nutritious Foods, Working Out, Drinking Distilled Water, Taking Vitamins, and Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
Due to his enthusiasm for following through with the rehabilitation regimen, after eight weeks of residential rehab, Samuel was ready to start treatment on an outpatient basis. At this point in time, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began fortifying his body by drinking distilled water, eating nutritious foods, taking vitamins and minerals, working out, and living an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Samuel also came to grips with his spiritual life by joining the local Unitarian church and going to the weekly services.
After roughly three weeks of outpatient rehab during which time he never went through an alcohol relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol therapy and instead started going five times per week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free lifestyle, they provided him with the support he wanted, and they served as a faithful reminder of the destructive outcomes that are correlated with excessive and hazardous drinking.
After going to AA meetings approximately seven-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Ana, a young woman he met at church. It clearly amazed Samuel how much more prepared he was for a dating relationship now that he had his hazardous and abusive drinking under control. In fact it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his excessive and careless drinking. Life was now pleasant and loaded with potential that he could have never yearned for or fulfilled when he was involved in hazardous and excessive drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Statement of the Importance of Alcohol Rehabilitation and the Power of Change
Samuel’s success story is proof of the value of alcohol therapy and the power of positive change. As Samuel thought about his newfound self-respect and motivation for involving himself in worthwhile, healthy activities, he was actually grateful that he decided to do something productive about his abusive and careless 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 has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself suffer under the control of his addiction, he enjoys his new job responsibilities, and he is involved in a wholesome relationship.
