When Alcohol or Drugs Take Over

A young man in his twenties in my last class gave me permission to post what he wrote. I wish the best to this young man and thank him I could post. Here is most of what he wrote.

The Account of My Life-Changing DUI

Before this experience I had slowed down on drinking and ended my drug use. . . . I had no idea of the pain I could cause. I had no regard for others' feelings, at least those closest to me, nor how the world viewed me.

I now see how bad I had gotten, how far I had fallen doing things I swore I never would. I lived as if tomorrow was the end, like nothing mattered. I had many vices. I never felt addicted, but I also didn't see the problem I had. I remember the first time I turned down X and coke. I remember blocking numbers [of people who were my triggers].

Now, [he wrote],

I have hope.

I have inspiration.

I learn.

I question.

I wonder.

I dream.

I pray. . . .

There has been too much of my life wasted, spent on numbing myself to the beauty that the world holds--unknown but bright and new. . . . I'm happy to be becoming myself, finding the answers to my questions.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous help many who do not have this young man's resolve. Christians also have Biblical Counseling. Treatment and support groups do help. I am losing weight through Weight Watchers. I love this sign about losing weight:

Choose your hard indeed! Change is that--hard. Yet it will be very hard if you go to jail like a Largo, Florida driver who just last week got 44 years in prison for four DUI deaths. The paper reported that DUI driver said, "I'm just lost. I'm terribly lost."