Samuel was a twenty-six-year-old accounts receivable manager who was sick of feeling depressed everyday and tired of his abusive and unhealthy 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 aggravated with the many times he failed to pass an alcohol test at work, he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his second DWI, he was bored with his drinking friends, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, and he was disgusted with how out-of-shape he was.
In addition to the perceptible alcohol-related health difficulties he was going through, perhaps the most troublesome part of his drinking behavior was the unreliable and scheming individual he had turned into. In his heart of hearts he realized that he had been lying about his drinking behavior to his relatives, friends, and family and he also knew he had been less than truthful with himself about the “healthy” outcomes of drinking. What is more, he made excuses for guzzling two or three drinks before going to social events and he also rationalized needing a few drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could manage the “stress” at his place of employment.
His Depression and His Hazardous and Excessive Drinking Lead to Significant Changes in His Life
It was apparent that Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse consequences of his depression and his careless and abusive drinking and eventually made up his mind that something significant had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would stop drinking, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, get professional counseling, start exercising, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, and develop a new circle of friends.
In brief, 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 ready to start the slow and gradual road to recovery.
One of the ways that Samuel operationalized his “plan” was by asking for a transfer at work. When his request was approved, he moved 350 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this definitely made making new friends and pals and detaching himself from his old pals much simpler. Then he went to see a healthcare practitioner in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive psychological and physical exam.
Samuel Meets With a Physician About His Irresponsible and Heavy Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the doctor and taking a number of laboratory tests, it was concluded that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and therefore was in need of alcohol rehabilitation and alcohol detoxification. At this time, the physician 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 counseling for this medical condition.
Samuel Decides to Fortify His Body by Drinking Distilled Water, Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life, Going to the Gym, Eating Wholesome Foods, and Taking Vitamins
Due to his willingness to follow through with the therapy regimen, after ten weeks of inpatient rehab, Samuel was ready to start rehab 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 exercising, drinking filtered water, eating healthy foods, living an alcohol-free way of life, and taking vitamins and minerals.
Samuel also came to grips with his spiritual concerns by joining the local Pentecostal church and going to the weekly services.
After nearly three months of outpatient therapy during which time he never suffered through a relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol therapy and instead started going twice per week to local AA meetings. Attending these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free style of life, they gave him the support he required, and they served as a faithful reminder of the damaging results that are associated with excessive and abusive drinking.
After going to AA meetings about four months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Phyllis, a young woman he met at church. It clearly amazed Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his hazardous and abusive drinking under control. In actual fact it also surprised Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his excessive and hazardous drinking. Life was now positive and loaded with promise that he could have never longed for or made real when he was engaged in abusive and unhealthy drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Testimony of the Significance of Alcohol Therapy and the Power of Change
Samuel’s success story is evidence of the importance of alcohol rehab and the power of positive thinking. As Samuel reflected on his newfound self-respect and motivation for involving himself in healthy, worthwhile activities, he was actually thankful that he decided to do something productive about his abusive drinking instead of giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcohol addiction. The result: he likes his new job responsibilities, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, he is involved in a loving relationship, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself languish under the control of his alcohol addiction, and his life now has a positive direction.