Samuel was a thirty-year-old cost estimator who was sick of feeling depressed everyday of his life and fed up with his negative drinking behavior. Stated briefly, he was sick of feeling lackluster every morning, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, he was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship due to his excessive drinking, he was angry with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a valueless habit, and he missed his old motivation for doing various things he enjoyed.
Moreover he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related lawyer fees, he was bored with his drinking pals, he was irritated with the many times he failed to pass an alcohol test at work, he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his third DUI, and he was disgusted with how out-of-shape he was.
Above and beyond the observable alcohol-related health issues he was experiencing, possibly the most regretful part of his drinking regimen was the undependable and devious individual he had turned into. In his heart of hearts he knew that he had been deceitful about his drinking behavior to his family, friends and relatives and he also knew he had been less than honest with himself about the “beneficial” effects of drinking. What is more, he justified gulping four or five drinks before going to social events and he also rationalized needing two or three drinks the first thing in the morning so that he could manage the “tension” at his job.
His Depression and His Hazardous Drinking Lead to Major Changes in His Life
It was clear that Samuel was sick of putting up with the negative outcomes of his depression and his excessive and careless drinking and finally determined that something major had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would abstain from drinking, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, get professional counseling, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, develop a new circle of friends, and start exercising.
Simply put, Samuel got to a critical time in his life during which he saw that he hit the bottom of the barrel in his life and was now ready to commence the gradual and slow path that leads to recovery.
One of the ways that Samuel operationalized his “plan” was by requesting a transfer at work. When his request was granted, he moved 150 miles away to a new state. If nothing else, this beyond doubt made making new friends and pals and disconnecting himself from his old friends and pals easier. Then he went to see a doctor in his new city and made an appointment for a thorough mental and physical examination.
Samuel Meets With a Physician About His Excessive and Hazardous Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the physician and going through a number of laboratory tests, it was concluded that Samuel had made the unfortunate change from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and therefore was in need of alcohol rehab and alcohol detox. At this time, the physician made it a point to go over the diverse signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term alcohol effects with Samuel.
The doctor then told Samuel that it was concluded that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical issue.
Samuel Decides to Fortify His Body by Living an Alcohol-Free Lifestyle, Going to the Gym, Taking Vitamins and Minerals, Eating Wholesome Foods, and Drinking Filtered Water
Due to his readiness to follow through with the rehab regimen, after twelve weeks of residential treatment, Samuel was ready to begin rehabilitation on an outpatient basis. At this point in time, he began working at his new job and over the weeks began fortifying his body by living an alcohol-free lifestyle, drinking spring water, eating nutritious foods, exercising, and taking vitamins.
Samuel also attended to his spiritual yearnings by joining the local Methodist church and going to regular services.
After just about four months of outpatient rehabilitation during which time he never went through an alcohol relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol rehab and instead started going five times every week to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel follow through with his alcohol-free lifestyle, they gave him the support he sought after, and they served as a steady reminder of the destructive results that are linked to abusive and hazardous drinking.
After going to AA meetings roughly eight months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Jenny, a young lady he met at church. It simply surprised Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his excessive and abusive drinking under control. In actual fact it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his abusive and hazardous drinking. Life was now good and loaded with potential that he could have never longed for or realized when he was involved in unhealthy and excessive drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Verification of the Importance of Alcohol Rehab and the Power of Positive Thinking
Samuel’s success story is a statement of the significance of alcohol treatment and the power of positive thinking. As Samuel reflected on his newfound lofty self concept and motivation for involving himself in healthy, worthwhile activities, he was actually thankful that he decided to do something productive about his abusive and unhealthy drinking instead of giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcoholism. The result: he is involved in a caring relationship, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, he enjoys his new job responsibilities, his life now has a positive direction, and he is in charge of his life rather than letting himself deteriorate under the control of his alcohol dependency.
