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“This party is awesome! How could we have said no I mean it has everything, girls, kegs, and strobe lights.” I could smell the alcohol lingering out of James mouth as he told me. “ I can’t agree more my friend” while taking a swig of whiskey sucking my teeth at the bad taste but good feeling. hippie Dave came up to us. “Hey dudes so glad you made it to my party, but can you go get some more beer for us were running low.” His words were slurred and slow. We started leaving the party to get some beer probably the most wasted stumbling down the driveway tripping over our own feet. We got in the car and sat for a minute while James watched me fumble around for the key. Pulling out of the drive was the music was loud we were jamming, James was swerving everywhere, but that was maybe because the lines on the roads were curvy. He was paying a lot of attention to my goofy drunk self that stop sign didn't matter… BAMM the last thing I remember seeing was the front of the Silverado with a pre-cracked windshield bang into our small red convertible. I woke up in the oddly soft hospital bed with a pack of ice resting on my painful stitches and …show more content…
I thought to myself. What if things weren't like this? Would James still be alive? I know I have to change. the next day I went to a AA meeting sitting looking at the people around the room wondering if their story was worse than mine, this meeting made me look at things in a different perspective. I realized alcohol isn't my friend, it doesn't help me , its just a whole bunch of atoms floating around it a bottle. After going to AA weekly it's made me realize i'm not alone things for me can get better I've made my screw ups but now it's time to grow up. Do it for
Coming into the substance abuse meeting the student nurse was scared and nervous. She was scared of the reaction of the consumers and feared all the stereotypes she heard about typical alcoholics. Innervison gave the student nurse a new outlook on these types of consumers. She no longer looked at them as people who were just drunks and wanted to use AA as an excuse to make it seem like they are getting help. She never really looked at alcoholism as a true addiction; it seemed like more of an excuse to escape life’s problems. Sitting in and listening to these consumers gave the student nurse a dose of reality. The student nurse now understands alcoholism better and AA helped her realize recovery is truly a process that takes one day and one step at a time.
Alcoholism is as prevalent in my family, as blood is in our veins. When previously asked to observe 12-step groups, I ritualistically flocked to Alcoholics Anonymous, without consideration of the possibility that other groups had any potential to make an impact on me. I always pride myself in my ability to identify as an individual that is not ensnared in alcoholism, but unfortunately am an individual that was highly tormented by alcoholism. Through observation of the group and how it processed, as well as identifying how I felt as a new attendee, I was able to understand why self-help, support groups are so vital for individuals in recovery. I finally realized, I too am in recovery.
Doctors Peter Johnson and John Chappel believe that AA is not considered self-help and by contributing to the 12-step process as doctors the program experience will be enhanced. Self-help programs are considered to be a form of therapy used to better oneself without scientific research supporting the success rate and usually attended without a physician’s input. The support shown for programs like AA is attributed to the abundant success rate they found when a doctor takes some minimal preparation for the patient. These preparations include such tasks as locating the closest meeting and the type of meeting the patient would prefer. The person who is suffering normally takes on these tasks; if discouraged at this point faith in the program may be ceased. They state in the article, ”AA is more important over the long term than professional treatment.” (Johnson, Chappel.1994) The article shows effective guidelines for professionals in the treatment of addiction. We know that AA predates the American Medical Associations’ ruling that alcohol addiction (along with other addictions) is a disease. We know from experience, either personal or second-hand, that addiction can not be cured without intervention of some kind – with the help of a professional and others’ suffering it can. Is that enough of a scientific approach to rely on a group-help program? – Dr. Jarlais does not think so.
As a child, I did not know what alcoholism was, I just assumed that the Beefeater Gin stench coming from my relative was his cologne. However, as I grew older and was exposed to a greater variety of people and circumstances, I slowly became aware of alcoholism. I began to incorporate the new experiences I had in relation to alcohol use with a deeper understanding of my extended family. This new awareness was unsettling and painful to me.
Alcohol Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship worldwide consisting of over one hundred thousand men and women who are alcoholics, banded together in solving a common problem and in helping fellow alcohol users in their recovery from alcoholism. A.A.'s twelve steps are considered a list of principles which are spiritual in their nature, and if practiced as a way of life by members, can help significantly in expelling a member’s obsession to drink, and enable a holistic awareness. Step one is when the member admits they are powerless over the use of alcohol, resulting in an unmanageable life. No one wants to admit defeat, but admitting powerlessness over alcohol is the first step in becoming liberated. Step two is having a belief that the almighty power can restore their sanity. Step three is making the decision to turn their will and life over in the protection of the almighty God, which is the key to willingness of change as noted by the Twelve Steps of recovery. Step four is...
Most people think of alcoholics of being part of the homeless population or of lower class. I learned that anyone can be an alcoholic, even nurses and doctors. In an Ohio survey regarding addiction as a disease, the results of the survey found that statewide 59% think that an alcohol or drug addiction is a disease and 43% believe that alcoholism or addiction is a weakness (Ohio Survey, 2010, p. 7-8). However, these two believed facts are wrong; Alcoholism is a disease and not a weakness. I think by understanding this and that alcoholism is a disease that is not easily controllable, I am accepting to those struggling with alcoholism and inspired by those that choose a life of sobriety. Those suffering from alcoholism and are able to overcome the cravings and disease are some of the strongest people I know. Attending this meeting has been a life-changing experience that has impacted my personally and my future practice as a nurse. I hope to be a nurse that is more accepting, open-minded, and judgment-free to everyone, despite my morals, beliefs, and societal
The first thing that made me think about getting sober was that I lost my self-esteem. I always used to cut myself down in front of people and never knew how to accept compliments- sure signs of low self-esteem. The biggest symptom I had of low self-esteem was that I wasn't comfortable in my own skin or around people unless I was drunk because the only way I could stand myself was when I drank. I also never cared about my appearance, so I wouldn't wear make-up, fix my hair, or bathe regularly. Still, low self-esteem was something I would never have guessed I had-that is, until I thought about killing myself. Then I knew something might be wrong.
For Adult Children of Alcoholics, surviving their families becomes the point of existence. The fortunate may be able to draw support from a supportive adult, and may emerge with fewer difficulties than their brothers and sisters. The majority, however, have to “make do.” Some spend lonely hours in their rooms wishing only to vanish behind the woodwork. Others attempt to rescue the foundering vi...
"Two drinks, downed fast, strange bar. It's easy to get confused. Don't tell me that you of all people are starting to believe what you hear in this bar."
Addicts suffering from alcoholism should make the effort to join an AA meeting. I believe meetings can truly help addicts become successful in their recovery. As evidenced by the members of the group I observed, meeting with fellow addicts who understand and has lived through the struggles of addiction, AA meeting is a great resource. Not too long ago, I had a hard time deciding my feelings of people with substance abuse. I strongly felt that this was a choice, however, at the same time, a small part of myself understood that this was a disease. As I have been learning more about substance use, I have been more on the side that substance abuse is a disease. After attending the AA meeting, it was confirmed for me that addiction is a disease. Although it may start out as a poor choice, it ultimately is a disease that affects that brain. Listening to the speakers, I felt really bad about my negative activities towards substance use. I know longer believe that addicts have the choice to completely stop their addiction. They need help from others to overcome the disease. Programs such as AA provides the fellowship that addicts need in recovering from
...king around me. But I don’t know if I will be participating in that. Sure a part of me wants to do the Tennessee Waltz with my friends, but I really like how things are going. I never drank because I felt peer pressured to srink or because I had to drink to have fun. I just drank because it is college and a lot of people do it. I’m sure when I turn twenty-one the novelty will wear off and I will probably hardly ever do it. I’m glad I didn’t get into more trouble then I could have. There are so many things that could happen if you have been drinking. It just seems that trouble and drinking go hand and hand . If I don’t drink or do drugs I can definitly keep my chances of getting in trouble again to a minimum. If I could change the situation I don’t think I would. I needed an incident like this to wake me up and make me figure things out. I have changed a lot of aspects in my life and I’m proud of that. The day after this happened I definitly didn’t feel like this was going to be a great learning experience. Now I’m convinced that it’s probably the best thing that could have happened to someone who had no clue on who they were. I’m very happy I had an open mind and changed my life.
woke up, I could immediately tell I was better. Sure my head felt like someone just drilled into it, yet I
My mother started binge drinking before I celebrated around my 8th birthday. My favorite memories growing up are from breaks in between her binges. We used to go to the park and and take photographs of each other on the swings. We were completely oblivious to the somber clouds that lurked above us. After a while, there were no more breaks. The only thing that could end her binge was a 911 call. Dialing 911 became a habit and it would only end with my mom being put in a hospital. Nevertheless, I felt relief when I would see her in laceless shoes and hospital gown. The relief would only last a couple days until she was back home again. After countless visits, the paramedics grew weary of my habit and no longer took my mother in. Out of options,
...heavier friends. Also, since it takes my body about an hour to digest a drink, I should start to pace myself in order to assure that I do not drink deadly amounts. I have also had time to look within myself and truly reflect on my reasons for drinking. My self-evaluations led to the following conclusion: maybe I shouldn’t use alcohol as an escape from stress or depression because it doesn’t help, but rather it intensifies the feelings I am already experiencing. Alcohol is a drug and it’s surprising that it took an incident like this one for me to truly grasp the significance of making sure my drinking habits are at a level that is safe for my individualized body. Although this experience led to intervention with the ORL staff, in my case it was positive because I have gained the knowledge and self-realization that I needed to make healthier decisions in the future.
The problem of alcohol use is very relevant nowadays. Today alcohol consumption characterized by vast numbers in the world. All of society is suffering from this, but primarily jeopardized the younger generation: children, teenagers, young people, and the health of future mothers. Because alcohol is particularly active effect on the body that are not formed, gradually destroying it. The harm of alcohol abuse is evident. It is proved that when alcohol is ingested inside the body, it is carried by blood to all organs and has harmful effect on them until destruction. Systematic use of alcohol develops a dangerous disease such as alcoholism. Alcoholism is dangerous to human health, but it is curable as other diseases. The big problem is that most of the alcohol products which are made in private places contain many toxic substances, defective products often leads to poisoning and even death. All this has negative impact on society and its cultural values.