Topic : 12/29 Drunken Mistakes

Im home today so had time to watch the show. My heart just sank while listening to all of you. My story is a combination of all 3 of you. I started drinking at age 14, also drinking every night and had blackouts, also drove drunk. i put it down when i got pregnant at age 29, didnt drink until my boy was in college nearly 20 yrs later. In less than 2 mos I couldnt stop drinking and drank every day. knew in my heart i had a problem but it took another 5 mos of trying to stop on my own before i got help. i could only stop for 9 days then i had to drink more. never had a hangover and later learned that i had kept an alcohol level in my blood that started to drop thus the 9 day thing!

i also drank with my Mom when i was 17yrs old, i also felt on top of the world when i drank, i also felt very much in control. i had no idea i was suffering from the disease of alcoholism until this second round of going out there. i was newly separated and wanted only to socialize and meet new people. my intentions were sincere. my denial was intense. my bottom hit me hard. i actually started to drive toward a tracker trailer truck to end my pain. a miracle happened that day when i realized what it would do to my son to have a mom who would kill herself. and later on i thought, that poor truck driver. and what about the others driving behind him? i was on lunch break, went back to work, called a center in my local area who helped me right away on the phone and i attended my first counseling session and later on an AA meeting. i was scared, ashamed and didnt know if i was alcoholic at that time. i only knew i couldnt not drink. it was that simple.

Just know that alcoholism is a disease that we dont ask to get. we just have it. and its okay if you get help and learn that you can live sober, have friends, and be happy on the inside.

i am now 3 yrs 4mos sober. i am now 54 yrs old. i was lucky in so many ways. and for the first time in my life, i like myself, Im getting to know who i really am, and i feel wonderful! and what freedom to deal with what ever life brings me, good or bad, and to live this life of mine with drinking.

Im rooting for all 3 of you. Alcoholism is a family disease both physically and mentally. all 3 of you are lovely and i know how it is. Your in my thoughts and prayers to seek recovery, for only when you do you will know how great life can be!

Mike has no remorse for killing his friend while driving drunk.  The only redeaming part of the show was that this enlightened everyone that people like Mike have absolutely no remorse.  Let him send his message about drunk driving from jail, and I hope he serves his full sentence in prison because as soon as he is out he will most likely kill another person.  

I have been sober for 18 days now and LOVING it. I drank everyday, with maybe 5 days  without drinking, for the past 18 years. My husband and I would have "OUR HAPPY HOUR" and continue all night till bedtime and I would just pass out anyway. How our marriage has survived is by the grace of God I`m sure.

I know there are probably people reading this that maybe in the same situation and I say just quit now because it is a very hard decision to make and when you do make it, it is hard to stay sober. I take 1 hour,min., and sec at a time without any help.I have alot of family support and when I announced that I have quit drinking they clapped, what have I done at family functions was the question I asked myself.

My husband still drinks every night but by himself and he has cut down with me not drinking, so his day is coming and he supports me in my decision.

I hope I have opened some eyes and one thing I have to acknowledge and that is I NEVER, EVER DROVE DRUNK. I always drank at home or if we were out we took cabs and that is one thing I can say I was not a selfish drunk.

Oh, and by the way we don`t have kids and if we did, the drinking would have never become a problem.

Wish me luck in my soberity.

Take care, from Canada

First, I'm a firm believer that alcoholism is a disease and alcoholics need treatment.  In terms of jail time versus treatment, each person needs to be considered individually.  In Michael's case, I don't think he's the least bit contrite!  I didn't like his tone of voice at all when he told that poor woman, "I'm sorry if you feel that way."  I was taken aback by how laid back he seemed when dealing with the fragile victims of drunken drivers just like him.

Tone of voice of course isn't foolproof indicator of character by any means, but hearing Michael talk about what he had done, the fact that he was in a bar after his friend got killed when he was driving, all of those things indicated to me that he was right where he needed to be. 

For the safety of others, I hope he stays in jail a long, LONG time until the weight of what he's done finally sinks in!!!

It's just not that simple.  Alcoholism is a disease of addiction. When a person is in the grasp of an addiction, it is the addiction that makes the decisions.  I do not condone the bad behaviour of an active alcoholic, but I do understand how and why the bad things happen. 

I am an alcoholic. 13 months ago I entered a Detox program and began attending AA meetings regularly. I've not had any relapses, but only because I forced myself to reach out for the available help when I needed it.   It takes time - often slow and painful progress - but it is possible to get free of alcohol addiction. You can't just "get a life" - an alcoholic has to learn how to live - and it's a lifetime process.

No, it's not fair that some people are alcoholics and some aren't.  It's not fair that some people get cancer and others don't. But it's reality.

I will keep Carly in my prayers. I know what she will go through in the next little while as she withdraws from her physical, emotional and spiritual dependence on alcohol. It's not pleasant, but it's liveable and it's temporary.  And it opens up a whole new life - one of freedom, truth, and peace of mind!