Quote From: marylu52Hi Dr Phil
I am a 53 year old woman living in the most beautiful place ... the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota. I watched your show today...with my heart in my throat. I have been a drug addict and alcoholic since I was 14. That's almost 40 years. It has been a long hard road. I have been clean from narcotics (pain killers, heroin) for about 5 years. I still drink. I have been an addict for so long, I don't know what else to do. I don't want to drink but I do. I have a horrible time staying focused for any length of time. I am bad at making any kind of decision. I was tested for adult ADD but was told that wasn't the problem. I have been in treatment 4 times, went to NA/AA meetings (they didn't do much for me), so I have basically struggled with this crap by myself. I am married (27 years) to a functioning alcoholic...he works everyday. But he drinks every night and every weekend. Dr. Phil, my story is so long and boring. I guess what I want to know is how do I go from being this way all my life to someone that is a better me? I don't know how.
Thanks for listening.
Marylu, your message was important for me to see today after I watched the show. Don't know exactly where you are, but I too live in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota!! Rapid City, to be exact. You and I are similar in age - I'll be 52 next April. I am in recovery from prescription narcotic addiction since July 13, 2002. I was given the dope from docs who treated me for a chronic pain condition. The narcs ruined my life. Now that I have been stereotyped as a lunatic junkie, my career has suffered as well. I am blessed to have a wonderful, supportive husband who has always been stone cold sober all his life. What's worked for me is: I don't use alcohol. Too close to the feeling the narcs gave me. I went to therapy to work on my self-esteem, stress management, and overcoming depression. Although I did not become an addict until my 40's, I clearly recall that even in my 20's I craved the mellow feeling I got from recreational use of barbituates and tranquilizers. I've learned that I need to be myself, and solve my problems without the use of a substance. I CAN do it, and SO CAN YOU. What's eerie is that, just like the first guest on the show today, I too am an addiciton counselor - I was in the profession LONG before I myself became an addict. I thought I was safe - it wouldn't happen to me because I wouldn't let it. But it DID happen to me, no matter how many fancy credentials I have after my name. Alcohol and other drug abuse is an equal opportunity destroyer, and in my arrogance. I fell. My message to you today is one of hope - there is no such thing as an addiction that cannot go into complete remission if you work at it hard enough. I suggest that you and your husband have a sincere discussion about his drinking - if he loves you an values your sobriety, he will stop. I've learned that addicts like us crucify ourselves between two thieves - regret for the past, and fear for the future. Don't be afraid to move forward! You CAN recover!
:)Siobahn
