Meet my son Chuck. He is only 37 years old. But in his lifetime he has seen many things. I would like to help him but I know I can't. Only he can help himself. He has the tools and at the moment he is using them. Thank goodness. When I look into his eyes I see a young man that has such a great pain inside of him. And I don't know how to get it out.
Our family has been fighting the disease of addiction for many years now. It is not a pretty disease. It is a fatal disease. It is an insidious disease. It can mask itself to look like something other than what it really is.
I believe addiction is addiction. Be it illegal drugs, alcohol, food, whatever. It is all the same disease. The symptoms can be different but the inside is the same.
I have seen many die from it as well. Sarge has been a speaker in AA and various other meetings for many many years. Our son has too. One made it clean and sober for over 21 years now, the other has only a few months but as of this day is clean too. I will take any clean day that I can get.
Drug rehab comes in many forms. From inpatient to inhouse to alcohol rehab center to halfway house to meetings, whatever. But no matter what you choose, the addiction treatment that you do needs to be consistent. It needs to be something that you can relate to and keep up with and continue to grow with it. Addiction treatment is never easy, but it is available.
Whatever addiction treatment turns out to be best for you is the one that allows you to be free of the symptoms of addiction. You will never be free of the disease. It is something you will have to consider the rest of your life. Addiction treatment can save your life if you will let it.
When we go on cruises there is lots of drinking. But we don't and there is also an AA meeting every day on board. Did you know that? It is called Friends of Bill. It will be in the capers. Sometimes there aren’t many people there, but sometimes there are and it is a wonderful way to meet new friends like you. Clean and sober friends.
Our family has been fighting the disease of addiction for many years now. It is not a pretty disease. It is a fatal disease. It is an insidious disease. It can mask itself to look like something other than what it really is.
I believe addiction is addiction. Be it illegal drugs, alcohol, food, whatever. It is all the same disease. The symptoms can be different but the inside is the same.
I have seen many die from it as well. Sarge has been a speaker in AA and various other meetings for many many years. Our son has too. One made it clean and sober for over 21 years now, the other has only a few months but as of this day is clean too. I will take any clean day that I can get.
Drug rehab comes in many forms. From inpatient to inhouse to alcohol rehab center to halfway house to meetings, whatever. But no matter what you choose, the addiction treatment that you do needs to be consistent. It needs to be something that you can relate to and keep up with and continue to grow with it. Addiction treatment is never easy, but it is available.
Whatever addiction treatment turns out to be best for you is the one that allows you to be free of the symptoms of addiction. You will never be free of the disease. It is something you will have to consider the rest of your life. Addiction treatment can save your life if you will let it.
When we go on cruises there is lots of drinking. But we don't and there is also an AA meeting every day on board. Did you know that? It is called Friends of Bill. It will be in the capers. Sometimes there aren’t many people there, but sometimes there are and it is a wonderful way to meet new friends like you. Clean and sober friends.
16 notes:
Congratulations to Sarge and Chuck for every day sober.
Fran
You know my heart on this matter. Sending hugs and prayers....
Very well said, Bee! Hope your son is able to continue on his current path.
Wonderful Post Miss Bee. Thank you for sharing.
Step by step, day by day. That's all any of us can do. Great news for Sarge AND for Chuck.
I wish I could sit side by side with Chuck and tell him about Doug - about how much we loved him and how much it hurt when he died. Chuck has so many people that love him and he would leave a huge void, too. I sure am sending love and prayers your way and his as well.
~~~Interesting point about AA meetings on the cruise ships. That's a great outreach.
~~~Blessings~~~
Amen, Miss Bee.
Sorry, I thought I was signed in. I'm so confused. ♥
Wonderful blog! A lot of us have family members who have gone thru this so we can relate. I too am not a drinker, nor is my husband. But I have a long lost brother that we see once every 10 years or so, don't even know where he is, that falls into this category. It's drugs with him. Thanks for sharing your story with us, and God Bless Prince Charlie for his accomplishments, and I hope and PRAY the same future for Chuck!
That was a wonderful post Bee.
Congratulations to Sarge and Chuck, may every day be a sober day.
I didn't knwo they had AA meetings onboard cruise liners.
I hope everything continues going well for Chuck.
Great post.
What a beautiful post Empress Bee. I pray for Chuck often. It is indeed a sad thing to watch. Big hug. :)
I admire Chuck for having the perseverance to keep trying and not just give up and let his addictions take over his life completely. I am sure it's a very tough row to hoe and God willing he'll be able to stay with it this time.
Big hug to you and the Sarge!
Just dropped by to say hi and tell you I do keep Chuck in my prayers...
Peace
Amen Auntie Bee!!! - Meezer Mom
A great post Bee. I wish the best of luck for Chuck. My thoughts are with him, you and Sarge every day.
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