Drinking and Driving
IS a
By Carlethia Linnen
Email: [email protected]
The year was 2006 when I crashed my
car and nearly ended my life. That
year was the beginning of my cocaine
addiction, and it began an upswing in
my drinking habit. Both life-altering
habits stemmed from a horrific
marriage. Before my accident, I was
just released from my first detox and
rehab center. A week after I got home,
I relapsed badly with drugs and
alcohol. The day of my accident, I
constantly took shots of vodka and
snorted cocaine. My oldest daughter,
who was nine, wanted to go to a
friend’s house down the street. I
hesitated for a moment, but allowed
her to go because it was a good excuse
to go hang out again.
I dropped my daughter off and
proceeded down the road. I was
sipping on a cup of vodka and reached
for my cigarettes. As soon as I reached
for them, they fell, and I foolishly bent
down to get them. I lost control and
headed for a ditch. I recall screaming,
then hitting something hard (tree
stump), and I blacked out. As I was
regaining consciousness, I heard a
male voice talking on the phone with
911. He thought I was dead. I began to
move, and I heard him screaming,
“She’s alive; please hurry.”
"DON'T"
I survived with only a big gash in my forehead,
a cut under my left eye that required extensive
stitches, scrapes, and bruises. My car was a
total loss. I knew afterwards that I had a
serious problem, but I was in denial about it
all. My illusions and shame kept me from
seeking help in the early stages. After that
shameful and near death experience, I sought
and got the help I needed.
If you need help with an addiction, first look
for physical signs in your walk, talk, and
appearance. Second, don’t be in denial about
the addiction; you need to admit that there is a
problem. Third, contact someone you trust to
find professional help. The journey to sobriety
may be hard in the beginning, but it will be
worth it at the end. I’m a living witness!
FAITH HEART MAGAZINE I 34