Samuel was a twenty-eight-year-old graphic designer who was tired of feeling depressed on a daily basis and tired of his excessive and unhealthy drinking behavior. Simply put, he was tired of going through broken relationship after broken relationship due to his abusive drinking, he missed his old motivation for doing various things he enjoyed, he was annoyed with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a valueless habit, he hated the hangovers he went through on a recurring basis, and he was sick of feeling lackluster every morning.
Additionally he was bored with his drinking buddies, he was upset with how out-of-shape he was, he despised the fact that he had to go to court for his third DUI, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, and he was annoyed with the many times he failed to pass an alcohol test at his place of employment.
Above and beyond the obvious alcohol-related health issues he now experienced, possibly the most regretful part of his drinking regimen was the unreliable and scheming individual he had turned into. In his heart of hearts he knew that he had been less than truthful about his drinking behavior to his relatives, friends, and family and he also knew he had been lying to himself about the “healthy” effects of drinking. Not only this but he justified wolfing down 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 cope with the “anxiety” at his place of employment.
His Depression and His Heavy and Abusive Drinking Lead to Important Life Changes
Without a doubt Samuel was sick of putting up with the negative consequences of his depression and his excessive and unhealthy drinking and finally made up his mind that something significant had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would refrain from drinking, develop a new circle of friends, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, get professional counseling, start exercising, and start focusing on becoming a more healthy person.
Stated briefly, Samuel got to the point in his life during which he saw that he hit rock bottom and was now ready to start the slow and gradual road to health.
One of the ways that Samuel initiated his “plan” was by requesting a transfer at his workplace. When his request was granted, he moved 450 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this beyond doubt made making new buddies and distancing himself from his old friends simpler. Then he visited with a physician in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive examination.
Samuel Meets With a Physician About His Irresponsible and Excessive Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the physician and going through a number of lab tests, it was decided that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and consequently was in need of alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehabilitation. At this time, the healthcare practitioner made it a point to discuss the different signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term effects of alcohol with Samuel.
The healthcare practitioner then told Samuel that it was decided that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical issue.
Samuel Makes up His Mind to Revitalize His Body by Taking Vitamins, Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life, Drinking Filtered Water, Working Out, and Eating Healthy Foods
Due to his readiness to follow through with the therapy program, after ten weeks of inpatient treatment, Samuel was ready to begin 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 living an alcohol-free lifestyle, drinking spring water, eating nutritious foods, exercising, and taking vitamins.
Samuel also addressed his spiritual side of life by joining the local Anabaptist church and going to the weekly services.
After just about eight weeks of outpatient rehab during which time he never went through an alcohol relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol treatment and instead started going five times every week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel continue his alcohol-free lifestyle, they gave him the support he wanted, and they served as a continual reminder of the destructive consequences that are related to unhealthy and abusive drinking.
After going to AA meetings approximately six-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started going out with Esther, 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 abusive and careless drinking under control. Indeed it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his unhealthy and abusive drinking. Life was now enjoyable and loaded with possibilities that he could have never longed for or fulfilled when he was engaged in hazardous and careless drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is Proof of the Relevance of Alcohol Treatment and the Power of Positive Change
Samuel’s success story is a testimony of the importance of alcohol treatment and the power of change. As Samuel thought about his newfound lofty self concept and motivation for involving himself in worthwhile, healthy activities, he was actually thankful that he made up his mind to do something constructive about his excessive and careless drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcoholism. The result: he is in charge of his life rather than letting himself languish under the control of his alcohol dependency, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, his life now has a positive direction, he is involved in a wholesome relationship, and he likes his new job responsibilities.