Most people who are addicted to alcohol refuse to find help until their health is at risk, which for most is too late. Unfortunately they either don't recognize they have a problem until its too late or the people closest to them give up trying to get the message through to them. Usually it is through tragedies that are occuring in someone elses life when we see that the same thing may happen in our own life. Those who suffer the most are the people directly related to the alcoholic, the family, and since we all have a family this story should resonant with everyone.
Bill Kenny woke up one morning to find his 50 year old wife passed out in their bed. She didn't have cancer or heart disease but was severely depressed as her children had recently moved away and she felt lonely and worthless.
Her husband was not a very loving man and wasn't really up to the job of being a good listener. On the contrary, he would put her down, criticize her feelings and managed to distance himself from her dilemma. So Mrs Jones began to look for comfort elsewhere, and due to her lack of real friends in her life, she found something that she thought would help - Alcohol.
Why did she choose alcohol? It helped her forget and made it appear as if her problems didn't exist, making it the perfect solution for a depressed person. Unfortunately Mrs Kelly drank heavily for 21 days until one morning she simply didn't wake up due to her comatose state. During her hospitalization her families only interest was getting her to quit drinking alcohol, and didn't confront the problem that led to the drinking. Unfortunately she believed that without alcohol she would return to a life that was unbearable.
When she left the hospital Bill was charged with the task of keeping her away from alcohol. She was in a desperate state, and later said she was planning suicide, but then that very morning the phone rang. It was her daughter Caitlin with some good news. She was pregnant and had decided to move home as they would need her help with the other grandchildren. With her life suddenly turned upside down she found that there was reason to live. Even though she had to wait several months for their return, she was a new women.
The reason I told this story was twofold. Alcohol is not a solution to depression and if you do know an alcoholic personally, ask them what the matter is and act accordingly. Even if you can get their problem met half way it could prevent a tragic end.
Bill Kenny woke up one morning to find his 50 year old wife passed out in their bed. She didn't have cancer or heart disease but was severely depressed as her children had recently moved away and she felt lonely and worthless.
Her husband was not a very loving man and wasn't really up to the job of being a good listener. On the contrary, he would put her down, criticize her feelings and managed to distance himself from her dilemma. So Mrs Jones began to look for comfort elsewhere, and due to her lack of real friends in her life, she found something that she thought would help - Alcohol.
Why did she choose alcohol? It helped her forget and made it appear as if her problems didn't exist, making it the perfect solution for a depressed person. Unfortunately Mrs Kelly drank heavily for 21 days until one morning she simply didn't wake up due to her comatose state. During her hospitalization her families only interest was getting her to quit drinking alcohol, and didn't confront the problem that led to the drinking. Unfortunately she believed that without alcohol she would return to a life that was unbearable.
When she left the hospital Bill was charged with the task of keeping her away from alcohol. She was in a desperate state, and later said she was planning suicide, but then that very morning the phone rang. It was her daughter Caitlin with some good news. She was pregnant and had decided to move home as they would need her help with the other grandchildren. With her life suddenly turned upside down she found that there was reason to live. Even though she had to wait several months for their return, she was a new women.
The reason I told this story was twofold. Alcohol is not a solution to depression and if you do know an alcoholic personally, ask them what the matter is and act accordingly. Even if you can get their problem met half way it could prevent a tragic end.
