A woman gave me a card with this on it at a meeting the other night. I don’t know who wrote it, but it sums up alcoholism very well.
We drank for happiness, and became
UNHAPPY
We drank for joy, and became
MISERABLE
We drank for sociability, and became
ARGUMENTATIVE
We drank for friendship, and made
ENEMIES
We drank for sophistication, and became
OBNOXIOUS
We drank for sleep, and awakened
UNRESTED
We drank for strength, and felt
WEAK
We drank “medicinally,” and acquired
HEALTH PROBLEMS
We drank for relaxation, and got
THE SHAKES
We drank for bravery, and became
AFRAID
We drank for confidence, and became
DOUBTFUL
We drank to make conversation easier and
SLURRED OUR SPEECH
We drank to feel heavenly, and ended up
feeling LIKE HELL
We drank to forget, and were forever
HAUNTED
We drank for freedom, and became
SLAVES
We drank to erase problems, and saw them
MULTIPLY
We drank to cope with life, and
INVITED DEATH.
“It’s not a person’s mistakes that define them–it’s the way they make amends.”—Freya North
Guilty as charged. Your post sums up each excuse alcoholics fool themselves with to justify why they drink. I feel our program is an excuse blaster and lifesaver of which we would drown without. I have done all the rotten things described in your post but today I rejoice because I I have found God’s grace.
Indeed this sums up the isolation and shame of addiction…..for me recovery requires inviting others and spirit in to my innermost self!
…. and that’s only the short list 🙁
Pretty much sums it all up. I can certainly identify with those shakes! Ugh 🙁
Thanks for sharing!
Paul