Drug Addiction Stories & Info

I  was all excited. It was my first date in a while and I admit, I was nervous.  Mutual friends had set us up and we met at the wonderful little Mexican restaurant that was locally owned and renowned for its Tex-Mex.  We had a nice lunch and although he seemed cryptic a time or two, I was optimistic and put it down to the fact that he might be a little nervous too.

I had to return to work after lunch and so did he.  He asked if he could call me later and I said yes.  Sure enough, at a little after 7 he called and asked if I would like to go antiquing the next morning.  We did have that in common and I said yes.

So the next morning, he picked me up a little after 8 and we were off.  We spent a couple of hours browsing the antique stores and the flea market.  Then the couple we had in common as friends called my cell phone and asked if we wanted to come over and have some fun just hanging out.

We said sure and went over.  We played board games and sang karaoke and the guys drank; and drank; and drank. I was worried about letting him drive home so I drove us to his house and decided to stay on his couch.  He got quite belligerent and loud and I realized I was with a mean drunk. Still, I had no way home and I stayed.  A good thing I suppose because he took some sedatives and fell.  I took him to see his doctor that next morning who promptly got on to him for mixing alcohol and sedatives.  Apparently it was his thing, to mix alcohol and sedatives on a nightly basis.

He thanked me for being there for him and I took him home and set up his ice bags.  Then my friend came by to pick me up so I could go home.  Later that evening he called me and sounded funny. I was worried so I drove over.  He was drunk again.

I knew this was not the guy for me and I fixed him a plate of food and tried to help him get comfortable before I left.  He screamed at me that if he  died it would be on me.  I honestly did not know how to take him and I called our friends.  They called his brother and I quickly left.

I have a new understanding and respect for the loved ones of alcoholics and drug addicts. I had two dates with this guy and I was hurting from what he was doing to himself and how he was treating me.  I commend those who get help for their loved ones and I think support systems for not only the addicts but the family members are a wonderful idea.

He called me the other day and I let it go to voicemail.  He left a message asking me out.  I never returned his call but I do wish him the best.

Having had 3 older children, I knew how rough the teen years could be. My youngest son actually started out in adolescence on a pretty good note. I began to think he wouldn’t give me the trouble my others did. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

He started to get more and more irritable but he also started acting more bizarre. At one point, when he was 15, he asked me to buy him alcohol. “No, I won’t buy you alcohol! What is wrong with you? You’re not even old enough to drink!” He told me “never mind, it’s no big deal anyway”. If nothing else, that gave me the heads-up that he was drinking, or at least thinking of drinking.

Sure enough, that weekend he came home drunk. He hadn’t expected me to be up waiting for him, but I was. I knew better than to try to argue with someone who was drunk but the next day, I confronted him. I told him I would not have drinking OR drunks in my home and that if he couldn’t quit on his own, we’d get him help. He started ranting and raving about how I was making a big deal out of nothing and he didn’t have any problem. Then he left the house.

I went down to his room and what do I find? A bottle of Vodka under his bed. I didn’t know if I should cry or scream. My little boy was obviously an alcoholic. Not knowing where to turn, I called our family doctor. My son was still a minor, after all, and I could have him admitted to the hospital. The doctor suggested that a holistic rehab may be a better idea but to make sure my son knew that it was that, or the hospital.

I found a good rehab that didn’t use drugs and it was an inpatient center. I had my brother come over for the big confrontation with my son. “Son, you may not believe it right now, but I love you and I want what is best for you”. I had his attention. I had his very suspicious attention. I told him I knew about his stash and that he was an alcoholic. I didn’t let him interrupt. “You can go to the hospital and be strapped to a bed or you can go to rehab and get all of the help you need”. He got up to leave and my brother stopped him. “She’s not playing, sport”, he said. “Make your choice”. After about an hour of ranting, raving and trying to leave, he chose rehab. We had him there in 30 minutes. I honestly believe that had I not taken the steps I did, my son may not be here today.

He called me that day and said he needed to talk to me.  It was important.  We had been friends for twenty years, ever since high school.  We ran around in the same circle and although we never dated, we were best friends.  The woman he met six years ago and married is also now one of my best friends.

He told me he thought he had a problem with alcohol.  This was no secret to those of us who know and love him.  He has been an alcoholic for years.  Somehow, he was finally able to face it because he had been quite mean and belligerent to his family, his friends and his wife all weekend.  No one was talking to him so he called me, the person who would always tell him the truth even if it wasn’t kind, just as he would me.

I went over and talked to him and his wife for awhile.  Then we called a drug rehab program we had heard about. The counselor listened to me as I gave my friend’s history, then I passed him the phone so they could discuss the rest of it.

My friend had been a four day a week worker for awhile, always calling in on Mondays because of his weekend drinking binges.  Now he was willing to take responsibility because he was afraid to lose his family and he knew somehow he had crossed the line since his wife was concerned to the point where she was threatening to leave him.

It has been just over a year since my friend called me that day.  He checked into a residential program and afterward has consistently attended outpatient sessions and his support group.  His marriage is stronger and he is thriving once again at work.

I have loved my friend for over twenty years.  He is like a brother or cousin to me. I stood up with them at their wedding and we joke about how if they ever split up they get joint custody of me.  However, I see the changes in my friend thanks to his successful treatment program and I really see that his alcohol problem has been resolved.  I am just thankful every day that my friend finally woke up to what he would lose and his life and ours is richer for the choice he made that day to get help.  They are not often told this, but I think drug and alcohol counselors are heroes, too.