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In honor of alcohol awareness month, a man shares his personal story in hopes of helping someone else who knows help is needed

"Ahhhh where to start. Alcohol is said to affect everyone differently and that’s obvious if you just take a quick look around at people when they drink. For me, and many others, alcohol is extremely addictive. Once consumed, we lose our ability to stop. We are very compulsive in nature. We don’t need a reason to drink. We happy, we drink. We sad, we drink. It’s your birthday, we drink…. You get the point."

"A little about me in particular."

"First, I’m multiple years clean and sober. However, it took many years to get to that point. My family growing up were addicts. I became an addict at a young age, 19. I used many party drugs but ultimately ended up in a “love affair” with cocaine. Cocaine took everything I ever had but worst of all took my self control."

"I used and abused people in order to get my drug and at all cost."

This went on for years. Every now and then I’d stop for a while and only to start back up. That’s where the alcohol comes into play. I would tell myself I could drink and not drug…. Well that worked for a very very short while. Then I’d drink subconsciously knowing that I would end up using drugs. I done this over and over until I almost died."

"I accumulated DUIs, I almost lost my career, my wife almost left me, and worst of all I just wanted to die."

"Very sad feeling. I went to AA/NA, I worked steps, I had a sponsor…. That all was great! It really taught me a lot. However, what ended up happening to me, was I still had a void, an emptiness. The steps are meant to help fill those voids as well, but to me it was just constant RECOVERY RECOVERY RECOVERY. What ended up saving my life, was God! When I didn’t want to live anymore but was too scared to die, God stepped in. Funny as it sounds; God actually made things happen that enabled me to be successful in not drinking when I really wanted to. Example: Covid—- bars shit down! Eliminated that possibility. My history shows I sneak off to the bar for a few drinks, yea right! Few my butt lol. Anyway it was a conscious connection with God. A strong belief that if I just trusted his will that I’d get well, and I did. To this day: I use all that I’ve learned in AA/NA, however, it’s the good Lord who spares me daily and allows me to be a better person one day at a time!! PS I have this weird feeling about sending this even though you asked lol. I don’t have any shame in my past though, the only shame would be if I continued that way of living. Hope this helps in whatever you're trying to achieve."

Want some help staying sober? Our breathalyzers might be able to help!

Most of our customers contact us because a court or legal program require them to get an interlock, but many of our customers contact us voluntarily simply because they want help. Our interlock devices might be the little extra help you need to hold yourself accountable. Contact us to find out how we can help.