As the premier provider of ignition interlock devices in Alabama, we meet lots of people who regret their decision to drink and drive. But alcohol reaches many areas of a person's life in addition to safe driving.
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Interlock users and people who have received a DUI or DWI are not the only ones affected by alcohol. Alcohol use and overuse cause so many problems for so many people.
Alcohol Awareness Month Real Life Story
This is the story of just one of those people:
"I choose to break the cycle of alcoholism in my family."
A woman shared her alcohol story with us. She shared about several members of her family that were affected by alcohol and how their story of alcohol has affected hers.
"My grandpa (mom's dad) was an alcoholic… very abusive to his children. One of the children committed suicide. One is in prison serving a life sentence. One was severely bi-polar/manic and on lithium. My mom was also an alcoholic and there was some verbal abuse there when she was drunk… she was not a nice drinker at all."
"My only memory of my grandpa is him living here and saying to me “Don’t tell your mom I did this“… because he would get drunk and throw a bottle or a glass in the field. He also abused me as well when I was younger."
She told a story that mostly focused on things that happened a long time ago, but she elaborated on how the situation still affects life now.
"My grandma still has guilt til this day about her children’s dad. The trauma never goes away. There was no help back then. My mom spent months in a rehab during my high school years. When she was 40 she ran away from home and was missing for a couple of weeks and upon her return she was placed in a psych hospital where she spent a couple of months and was officially diagnosed with bi-polar. While the treatment had worked and she did quit drinking for a while, she did start drinking again towards the end and it caused a lot of friction."
"I have chosen and made the choice never to drink alcohol."
"Although the temptation is real sometimes I realize how bad it affects me when my husband who is not a drinker was “teasing” about me getting a drink one day." She explained how he didn’t realize how the joking would affect her at the time. "I said you have no idea, an alcoholic and someone who gets drunk are two different things. My dad could drink and he was NOT an alcoholic. My mom was an alcoholic as she would change mentally and grow dependent and hide it and just get downright mean and ugly. I know I have “addictive” tendencies because I lack self control in certain areas and I have a fear that if I would take one drink I would lack self control… so I choose not to drink for that reason."
"I choose to break the cycle of alcoholism in my family. My fear is for my children. They have addiction from both sides. Their dad was an addict (he overdosed when they were babies) and then I have my history. I tell them the truth so they know."
"I honestly could tell you so much… this is a short version." We continued to chat about her story to get a better understanding of where things stand now.
How does this history affect her now?
"I go to counseling for trauma and am still dealing with the effects of my childhood trauma. Although I have never drank I struggle with co-dependence, depression, anxiety, etc. Medication, prayer, therapy and lots of people who understand… I have an amazing husband who understands."
Alcohol Awareness
For many of us alcohol is "no big deal". We can have a drink or two or three, get a safe ride home, and then the next day we can go back to our normal life with no need to drink again. We can't really say it affects our life much. Alcohol Awareness Month isn't for those people. So many people have been affected by alcohol in a big way. Our hope is to show you that you're not alone.
We're here if you need help with an ignition interlock device
As long as you won’t be driving, it’s probably fine to enjoy a few beers at the fishing camp or that after-work cocktail. 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. We are here to help.
