Wellbeing
“I was a binge drinker who drank to blackout –
but just couldn’t see I had any problem”
Entrepreneur Lee, aged 48, grew up with an alcoholic father
who made a fortune and then drank it all away and died from
drinking. Lee very nearly did the same, until he was forced to
face the stark truth…
laughing. He sent the photo to me and I was so humiliated and
angry. At this same time a friend called who said: “You go to
those alcoholic meetings don’t you, because I’ve got a friend
with a drink problem too.” I was mortified he thought I was an
alcoholic. I told him I didn’t go, but I could take her to the AA
meeting.
“My father was an alcoholic. My mother left him when I was
three. He had assets worth more than a million – but drank,
gambled and drugged it away until he died penniless. Then
after four serious health issues in five years, my mother died
from alcoholism too.
At the meeting, someone gave her a leaflet with questions to
see if you have a drink problem. I mentally ticked off yes to
virtually every question.
Prior to her death I went to Al-Anon meetings that help people
who have an alcoholic friend or relative. While there, we’d
listen to the recovering alcoholics in the Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) meeting next door. But I had no idea I had a
drink problem. My first drink on my own was when I was 13. I
drank to blackout most times. I was a binge drinker. I couldn’t
stop when I started.
So I went to an AA meeting and have not had a drink since
then: November 2007. I found a bunch of people who didn’t
know me, yet knew the illness in me perfectly – and they were
willing to love me and care for me until I could love myself.
I learned what had driven me to drink and what the causes
were of my unhappiness and problems. Today I am a caring
and loving person. Most of my six children have never seen
me drink and they have a father who adores them.
Meanwhile, to prove to my constantly criticising stepfather I
could be somebody, I worked obsessively and built up a
successful business empire. But that just became a source of
stress that gave me more “reason” to drink.
My life today here living in Spain is a gift.”
AA is located along the entire Costa del Sol and there is
a meeting with friendly people who will understand
your problems somewhere near you every day.
Call the AA helpline for support: 600 379 110. Visit the
website for help & information: www.aacostadelsol.com
The point I decided I had to do something was when I went to
a nightclub after drinking heavily. A guy I’d fallen out with saw
me in the corner passed out and he had someone take a photo
while he held me in a headlock, with two girls either side
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