Alcohol Abuse Addiction
I am a day late on my A post for the A to Z Challenge, I’ll probably end up doing my B & C post together tomorrow. I wanted to try to stick to a theme with this challenge and still might be able to pull it off.
Tonight’s post is something a little more serious than my norm. I’ve been watching a series on Showtime called Nurse Jackie, it’s about a nurse who is addicted to drugs, and has cheated on her husband. She is a great nurse and a loving mom. I found myself screaming at the TV, “just stop taking the drugs and cheating and I’d actually like you!!” HA! I know it’s just a show but these things happen in life, to real people.
I grew up with alcohol and drug addicted parents, not only that but many of my relatives are heavy drinkers. I am extremely thankful that I didn’t turn out like them. They say that drinking is hereditary, and we all know that drug addictions can be passed from mother to infant. It’s sad and brings me to tears when I hear the horrible stories.
Although I’ve witness first hand (from my parents destruction) what drugs and alcohol can do to a person, a marriage and a family. I don’t think I ever understood that it’s not a choice for some but it’s a disease. I think to a point it’s a choice, then it develops into a disease. I guess I still don’t completely understand it. But I keep thinking alright if it’s a disease there is a treatment right? I’ve heard of quitting cold turkey, I’ve heard of detoxing and I’ve heard that a person can only quit if they want too.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I heard about drug and alcohol treatment centers. Again I think they have to want to do it, so that would have never worked with my parents. They loved the alcohol too much to quit.
I was always so mad at them for not quitting, for not loving my sister and I enough to want to quit. The older I got the more accepting to their disease I became. I am fortunate that I didn’t get their drinking bone and I feel sad for those that have drinking & drugs addictions.
I guess by watching Nurse Jackie and yes I know it’s only a “TV series” it did help me understand some of the struggles that my parents might have faced. This is probably one of the first times I’ve actually thought this deeply into their addictions and had a better understanding to it.
I don’t think I’ll ever really understand how they let the addiction, be more important than your loved ones.
Have you ever watched a loved one or friend struggle with an alcohol or drug addiction? By witnessing it, does it play a role in your drinking habits now?
I grew up in a similar home and with a family full of addicts. I’ve never touched alcohol or drugs in my life for that reason. My brother, too, broke the vicious circle.
Feels great to break the cycle doesn’t it? I am very proud of myself for being able to have a glass of wine, or go out with friends and be able to know when to stop.
I am 5 years clean, my daughter nearly nine, my sons all struggle with addiction, my other daughter “drinks too much”,my sister over eats, my father was addicted to sugar. yes the addiction gene runs in families. It may manifest itself differently as in the case of my sister and eating verses my drinking, but it is still there. I have a much different take, I was not raised by drunks and addicts, however, I was abused most of my growing up life, I turned to anything that would take the pain away. Read my blog and you can see where I am with this now….Have you ever attended an Al-anon meeting, there is a lot of help there. beating your resentments is as important as quitting an addictive behavior, I truly believe this. Honesty. The only cure. Thank you so much for this post….<3
Daisy, thank you for stopping by. Well Done on the 5 years clean and a Big Congrats to your daughter. It’s true there is so many things we can be addicted too. It’s never easy growing in an addictive, let alone an abusive household. Sorry to hear about this, but glad you were able to be strong and pull yourself where you are today.
Thanks for stopping by
Deb
Hello.
My elder brother died from liver disease caused by alcohol abuse. My dad was a heavy drinker & smoker. That coupled with a lot of other health problems also led to his death. Thankfully, I cannot & don’t drink. Nice post! Thanks for sharing. Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
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Andy, hello and thank you for stopping by. My father had a failing liver that to this day I still don’t know the full details on. He was never one of the people that took much care of his own health. Part of his passing was due to the liver failure, but not the reason. (another story) Drinking does aid in many other health issues not just the addiction. Oh!! Happy Blogoversary!! Thank you for the featured post and award, it’s truly an honor!! I’ll stop by in a few to claim my award. Thank you again!!
Deb
I grew up with a family history of alcoholism. Though it wasn’t in my immediate family, I was made well aware that it was there. This awareness prevented me from getting stupid with my drinking. That’s not to say I’ve never been caught drunkenly making a fool out of myself. But it’s very far outside the norm for me.
Thank you to stopping by and leaving your thoughts. I to had a few drunken craziness. But for the fear I’d turn out like my parents, I have yet to continue drinking the next day.
Within my family circle, I’ve seen alcohol and drug addiction… and witnessed first-hand the destruction it causes!
Great post!
Michelle, thank you for stopping by. It seems that there are more people who have also seen this addiction up close.
Thank you for your thoughts
Deb
I just celebrated 10 years Sober this past October… and still addiction baffles me. One of the things that helped me with acceptance was the realization that I took the drink, but then the drink took me! I lost the power of choice… The drink takes over, I promise you… it is not about not loving or someone doing it to you. It is a physical dependance coupled with a mental obsession.
After sobering up and learning to live sober I regained the power of choice and today I choose not to drink.
Amy!! Well Done Beautiful Lady!! I think that’s the part I struggle with, when they know they are doing it… how it hurts others and not having the strength to stop? Thanks for sharing your thoughts it was very helpful!
Thank you for stopping by!