In our line of work dealing with interlock devices, we meet so many people whose lives have been forever changed by their decision to drive after drinking. Ignition interlock device customers tell us all the time that they wish they could go back to the day they got a DUI and make a different choice.
But interlock users or people who have received a DUI or DWI are not the only ones affected by alcohol. Alcohol use and overuse cause so many problems for so many people.
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This is the story of just one of those people:
"I never understood alcoholism until living with an alcoholic. It absolutely has affected my life and the people I love."
"I met him and he truly was perfect. One month in told me he was 5 years sober, I didn’t care, I saw a good man with a caring heart. Two years in he started drinking, eventually it almost took his life. I found a treatment center, he got help, got sober."
Unfortunately, the damage to the relationship had already been done. "He couldn’t relate to me anymore and couldn’t get over the things that happened during his binge drinking." He moved on to a new relationship. "I truly believe it is the addict mentality and he just found the next new thing to make him feel better."
How does he describe his relationship with alcohol?
"He said it called him. He planned his entire day around it. $800 a month in alcohol and I had no idea the true extent. My children adored him and slowly lost all respect, he was never the same. When he went to rehab I turned the house upside down, I found almost 300 Crown Royal bags hidden, empty alcohol bottles in boots, jackets, on top of places I couldn’t reach, my shed. Everywhere, it was so sad."
Does he openly admit he has a problem?
"They live in denial in some way, shape, or form, he made a lot of his addiction sound not so serious by saying how his ex-wife was uptight, he will now tell a story of how hard life was with me and downplay it again. Taking accountability means a lot to the people they hurt. I truly feel he still hasn’t and never will. Alcoholism is a selfish disease. I wish I understood it then. I would have never let him open Pandora’s box."
How are you doing now that the relationship is over?
"I’m hurt, I let him cross boundaries by allowing that around my children, I made it my mission to fix him and in return I lost myself. Alcoholism is a disease but it also becomes a choice. When you are given the tools to do better, every day becomes a choice. I have learned a lot. God is providing and we really are blessed. I know I sound bitter, just hurt. With that will come tools I can use to help others, my children, and myself."
Alcohol Awareness
For many of us alcohol is "no big deal". We love a margarita with dinner or occasional drinks with friends but we can't really say it affects our life much. But that's definitely not true for everyone. This is just one story of just one person whose life has been affected by alcohol.
Reach out if you need help
As long as you won’t be getting behind the wheel, it’s probably fine to enjoy that after-work cocktail or a few beers at the fishing camp. But if you or someone you know has trouble keeping the alcohol intake at a healthy level, it’s time to get help. Smart Start of Louisiana offers tools such as ignition interlock devices to help with voluntary and mandated alcohol monitoring. We are here to help.
