It’s the Booze Stupid
They say if you get up in the morning and see the sun rise, and have something to eat, you’ve witnessed a miracle and had a feast. For the alcoholic another dawning day signals a day filled with fear, doubt, and insecurity. It may have begun when you stole some liquor from your parent’s cabinet and replaced it with water.
Those high school years you could be found on weekends in the woods or up on the tracks if someone was lucky enough to have a buyer. That sojourn to U-Mass lasted only five months. It seems the school officials don’t agree that weekends start on Wednesdays. Those parting shots with roommates didn’t help when you were in a fender bender halfway home.
Your first DUI comes at twenty years of age. You refuse the breathalyzer and lose your license for 180 days. Odd jobs and trips to the local gin mill fill your days for several years. Your parents decided to sell their home and move two states away to be closer to your older sister and her kids.
Couch surfing works for a few years when you decide to move in with Sue from Larry’s Bar and Grill. At the ten-month mark Sue tells you she is pregnant. FEAR (forget everything and run) rules the roost. The child support folks are on your back when you snag a daily double with your second DWI.
Those bones on the console were a giveaway to that stash of cocaine. The judge was in no mood for nonsense when you were convicted. A trip to the Gray Bar Hotel in Billerica for six months and an alcohol program were thrown in. Your nights are now sleepless and sweaty. Your hands are starting to tremble. Halfway houses are your new abode.
You are now somehow 28 years of age. You haven’t seen your son in 5 years as cocaine has become more important than baby formula.
The gift of desperation enters your life, and you ask God for help. You are ten days sober. The monkey may be off your back temporarily, but the circus is still in town.
How would you like your obituary to read, he died suddenly or unexpectedly. There’s help out there, it’s up to you to use it.
Holliston Youth and Family Services — 508-429-0620
https://www.townofholliston.us/youth-and-family-services
Alcoholic’s Anonymous — 617-426-9444
Narcotics Anonymous — 866-624-4678
Veterans Center for Addiction Treatment
Suicide Hotline – Samaritans – call 988
Wayside Metrowest Counseling Center – Framingham – 800-492-9743
Genesis Counseling Services, Framingham — 508-620-2992
https://www.addictions.com/rehabs/genesis-counseling-2/
New England Recovery Center, Westborough — 877-697-3422
https://www.addictions.com/rehabs/new-england-recovery-center/
GOD – As close as your knees are to the floor
Editor’s note: The writer is a Friend of Bill W.
8 Comments
An important message.
Thanks, Mayor
Thank you, Bobby, for this very moving and helpful and authentic message. May it reach those who so deserve your generosity, kindness sharing.
Thanks for the important message, it could save someone’s life, Of that I am sure ❤️
Absolutely Bobby! Thank you for this
Such a heartfelt story. I’m sure you helped someone.
This should be required reading in high school.
Inspirational post. I’m trying to quit drinking but it’s hard and I relate to much of what you said. I work for the power company and after a long day of digging ditches my body craves a beer. My wife will nag me to do chores and I’ll go drink in the garage some times.
Thanks for the reminder, every day is a gift.