In our line of work dealing with ignition interlock devices, we meet so many people whose lives have been forever changed by their decision (or a loved one's decision) to drive after drinking.
People who use alcohol are not the only ones affected by alcohol
Ignition interlock device customers tell us all the time that they wish they could go back to the day they got a DUI and make a different choice. But interlock users or people who have received a DWI or DUI are not the only ones affected by alcohol. Alcohol use and overuse cause so many problems for so many people. In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month 2024, here is the story of just person affected by alcohol. This story comes from a personal interview directly with the person affected.
"I never understood alcoholism until living with an alcoholic."
A young lady shared her story of how her ex-boyfriend's alcoholism affected her life. "I met him and he truly was perfect. One month in told me he was 5 years sober, I didn’t care, I saw a good man with a caring heart. Two years in he started drinking, eventually it almost took his life. I found a treatment center, he got help, got sober."
Unfortunately, the damage to the relationship had already been done. "He couldn’t relate to me anymore and couldn’t get over the things that happened during his binge drinking." He moved on to a new relationship. "I truly believe it is the addict mentality and he just found the next new thing to make him feel better."
Did he openly admit his drinking was a problem?
"They live in denial in some way, shape, or form, he made a lot of his addiction sound not so serious by saying how his ex-wife was uptight, he will now tell a story of how hard life was with me and downplay it again. Taking accountability means a lot to the people they hurt. I truly feel he still hasn’t and never will. Alcoholism is a selfish disease. I wish I understood it then. I would have never let him open Pandora’s box."
What does he say about his relationship with alcohol?
"He said it called him. He planned his entire day around it."
She continued on by explaining a little more about the situation she is no longer a part of. "Eight hundred dollars a month in alcohol and I had no idea the true extent. My children adored him and slowly lost all respect, he was never the same. When he went to rehab I turned the house upside down, I found almost three hundred Crown Royal bags hidden, empty alcohol bottles in boots, jackets, on top of places I couldn’t reach, my shed. Everywhere, it was so sad."
How are you doing now?
She was asked how she's doing now that the relationship is over. She explained that she's hurt. "I let him cross boundaries by allowing that around my children, I made it my mission to fix him and in return I lost myself. Alcoholism is a disease but it also becomes a choice. When you are given the tools to do better, every day becomes a choice. I have learned a lot. God is providing and we really are blessed. I know I sound bitter, just hurt. With that will come tools I can use to help others, my children, and myself."
Alcohol Awareness: April 2024
For many of us alcohol is "no big deal". We have a few drinks in a social setting but we can't really say it affects our life much. But that's definitely not true for everyone. This is just one story of just one person whose life has been affected by alcohol. We share this story in honor of Alcohol Awareness Month 2024.
Reach out if you need help
As long as you won’t be getting behind the wheel, it’s probably fine to enjoy that after-work cocktail or a few beers at the fishing camp. But if you or someone you know has trouble keeping the alcohol intake at a healthy level, it’s time to get help. Smart Start of Alabama offers tools such as ignition interlock devices to help with voluntary and mandated alcohol monitoring. Contact us to see how we can help.
