Barry used to boast to his drinking buddies how he could work at a 40 hour per week job and get drunk virtually every night. Regrettably, after maintaining this unhealthy lifestyle for approximately five years, he began to exhibit numerous alcohol related issues.
Barry Begins to Have Several Alcohol Related Issues
For example, he had a very difficult time getting up for work because he felt so little energy when he awoke. Not only this, but almost every morning Barry suffered from a severe hangover. Without a doubt, the mixture of his lack of get-up-and-go and his hangovers did not make it easy for him to get up and feel motivated to go to work. To make things worse, approximately a week ago he received his second DWI in the past eight weeks.
To further compound things, at work his last two work assessments were less than adequate. And lastly, his three-year marriage with his wife had gone downhill due to his depression, angry outbursts, financial difficulties, and his lack of patience.
Although Barry was only twenty-three years old, he simply started looking like he was in his mid thirties. Unfortunately, this is what hazardous and excessive drinking can do to an individual. And from a realistic perspective he understood that he was suffering from the negative outcomes of alcohol abuse or alcohol addiction and that he was too young to throw away his life to careless drinking. So at first he tried to drink in moderation. Unfortunately, he soon comprehended the fact that he lost all control after having his first drink. Stated more precisely, after his first drink he invariably proceeded to get intoxicated. Since this was an event that was repeated every time he drank, this obviously bothered him a great deal. In fact, he began to wonder if he was manifesting some of the signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse.
Barry Makes up His Mind To Make an Appointment to See his Healthcare Practitioner
After going over his excessive alcohol ingestion and his irresponsible and excessive drinking with his wife, he finally made up his mind to schedule an appointment to see his healthcare practitioner. When Barry saw his healthcare practitioner, he actually mentioned that he has been drinking in an excessive manner, that he may be manifesting alcoholic signs, and that he wants to quit drinking. He then said that drinking in moderation doesn’t work for him and, consequently, he wants to learn how he can develop an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Barry also told his family doctor about his depression and how this mental health issue was negatively influencing his relationship with his wife. His doctor referred Barry to Doctor Hall, a drug and alcohol addiction psychologist, who influenced Barry to enroll in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center as an in-patient for alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehabilitation. Fortunately, Barry would also be able to get treatment for his depression at this treatment center.
Quitting Drinking Was the Best Decision Barry Had Ever Made
After three months of comprehensive rehab, Barry left the residential treatment center and continued his recovery via going to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and via outpatient counseling. Motivated to change his life in a more positive direction, Barry went to a health store and bought some vitamins and a cookbook. He then joined a gym and began working out three or four times per week. Within six months Barry was a new person. He wasn’t depressed anymore, he was in shape, he was eating nutritious meals, he now looked younger than he was, and most important of all, he remained sober for several months. He also became more patient, he didn’t resort to angry outbursts, and he became a more caring individual in his relationship with his wife. Stated briefly, refraining from drinking was the best decision Barry had ever made.
