Work was becoming too frenzied for a young police officer named Gary. Although he had only been on the police force for three years, he was already known as a hard worker who hardly ever declined working overtime. In fact, he was now working twenty to twenty-five hours of overtime each week and, as a result, he felt like he was losing his grip on his personal life. What made the circumstances more complicated, nevertheless, was the fact that Gary began going out drinking with a group of fellow officers after work.

What Began as Fun Soon Became Careless and Irresponsible Drinking

What began as a good time soon turned into unhealthy and excessive drinking and then into a negative cycle of feeling tired every morning when he got up for work, working more overtime hours, and then going drinking with his friends after work.

Plainly Gary was in a rut and experiencing some negative alcohol effects on the body. Where Gary really observed alcohol related problems and alcohol short term effects, on the other hand, was in his marriage and in his family life. His wife wasn’t really a nag, but she regularly begged him to stay at home more with her and with the kids instead of going out and blowing all of his money while drinking with his pals.

Gary’s Abusive and Unhealthy Drinking Adversely Affects His Personality

In a similar way, Gary’s abusive and irresponsible drinking also negatively affected his personality. More specifically, the more heavily he drank, the less patience he had with any issues or problems that emerged concerning his wife or his children.

It Was Obvious to Gary That His Unhealthy Drinking Was Negatively Affecting His Pocketbook, Health, Work, and His Relationship With His Family

In his heart of hearts, it was apparent to Gary that his abusive and irresponsible drinking was negatively affecting his pocketbook, relationship with his family, work, and his health. So one Wednesday afternoon Gary decided to talk to Jerry, a trusted old police officer friend that he greatly respected.

Gary mentioned to Jerry how excessive and irresponsible drinking was negatively affecting his relationship with his family, health, pocketbook, and his work. Jerry told Gary that he completely understood because approximately thirteen years ago, he too got involved in abusive and careless drinking. In point of fact Jerry stated to Gary that irresponsible and abusive drinking can cause so many difficulties in an individual’s life that just about everything of significance can be ruined. And finally, Jerry suggested that Gary make an appointment with an alcohol counselor at the work-affiliated drug and alcohol addiction treatment clinic.

Due to the fact that his employee’s assistance program was affiliated with this rehabilitation center, it was not only quite affordable but also very convenient to get some quality counseling about his abusive and hazardous drinking. And due to the fact that the personnel at the drug and alcohol treatment center was non-judgmental, supportive, and competent, Gary would be able to get alcohol treatment that made sense to him and something he could follow through on.

After talking to his therapist about how his drinking was negatively affecting his health, work, relationship with his family, and his pocketbook, Gary comprehended the fact that he was burning the candle at both ends with his extreme work hours and his unhealthy and excessive drinking. Once he comprehended that he was getting himself into a rut, with the help of his doctor, and after twelve weeks in rehab, he was finally able to stop drinking and quit working overtime.

Due to His Alcohol Rehabilitation Gary Felt Better and More Healthy

The result was that Gary saw life another way now that he was in alcohol recovery. More specifically, due to his alcohol rehab he not only was more patient when interacting with his wife and his children, but he actually had more money now even though he was working far fewer hours each week, he had more quality time to spend with his family, and he felt better and more healthy. Paradoxically, now that he quit drinking, Gary and his wife were not only starting to save some money for a new house but he also felt more alert and more energized than anytime since he and his wife got married.

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One More Time 17

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One More Time 17 is the true story of a man that received a visit from his deceased brother who was tragically killed years ago. While in a treatment center for alcohol abuse, he was surrounded by a bright and comforting light, which he claims lifted the urge from him to ever drink alcoholic beverages again. A short time prior to the passing of his wife of 32 years, he was visited by four deceased relatives, which provided comfort at a time like that. Since the pass… More >>

One More Time 17

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How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many individuals face serious consequences in their lives because they received a DWI conviction? How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems? On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they require? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? How many individuals lose their lives each year from a condition that is one hundred percent preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many people’s lives are cut short due to irresponsible and destructive drinking? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose? How many people are the victims of alcohol related violence or crime each and every year?

Why Would Anyone Want to Drink in an Irresponsible and Excessive Manner?

So what’s the point in asking these questions? Basically to highlight the devastating and destructive nature of excessive and abusive drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, I wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an excessive and abusive manner.

Stated a different way, with the host of legal proceedings, health problems, relationship dilemmas, financial issues, and employment difficulties that are associated with alcohol dependency and chronic alcohol abuse, why would any individual with any sense at all want to drink in an irresponsible and hazardous manner? Indeed when some of the above topics are looked at more closely, hazardous and excessive drinking becomes more illogical and makes even less sense.

Wouldn’t you think that chronic alcohol abusers would be able to see some of the alcohol symptoms that they display? In a similar way doesn’t it seem reasonable to think that more families would involve themselves in an alcohol intervention for the individual in the household who is an alcoholic or an alcohol abuser? Not only this but wouldn’t you think that people who drink excessively would try to learn more about their drinking behavior by reading about various alcohol related statistics?

After reviewing the alcohol abuse and alcoholism research literature, the point is so relevant that it needs to be reiterated: With all of the destructive and disastrous effects that are directly or indirectly linked to repetitive and continuous alcoholism and alcohol abuse, why would any person want to engage in abusive and unhealthy drinking?

What Can be Done About the Pervasive Nature of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in the U.S.?

So what can be done about the extensive nature of alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse in the U.S.?

  1. Our students need more relevant and more meaningful educational and preventative methods and approaches so that more students at all grade levels, including those at college, are “reached.
  2. In a similar way, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than resorting to the ”quick fix” and the “instant gratification” of a drug or alcohol abuse “buzz” or “high”.
  3. People who are alcoholics or alcohol abusers need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol therapy they require.
  4. Society needs to get the message to more individuals about the destructive and unhealthy outcomes of hazardous and excessive drinking.

There’s Room For Optimism if Those Who Engage in Hazardous and Careless Drinking Can Become Encouraged to Get the Alcohol Rehab They Need

There’s a lot of room for optimism and hope if individuals can start drinking in moderation and those who engage in abusive and careless drinkingcan become encouraged to get the alcohol treatment they need. Indeed, why put your loved ones through pain, turmoil, and suffering because of your hazardous drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking in moderation or even abstaining from drinking if you cannot control your drinking behavior?

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Shelly was identified at work as really conservative human being who had a very good attendance record. She in no way went to any of the happy hours following work and it was regarded through the workplace that she was an incredibly spiritual person who regularly spoke about the pitfalls of alcohol abuse and addiction to alcohol in our country.

Try to imagine the surprise within the office when one Monday morning Shelly didn’t show up for work and not a soul had heard from her. Actually, it wasn’t until close to 8:30 in the morning that the human resources department received a phone call about Shelly from the county jail.

Shelly Goes Out Partying With a Handful of Her College Pals

Seemingly, Shelly went out drinking with a few of her university house mates Saturday night and at some time close to 4:45 Sunday morning, Shelly was arrested for a DUI. Because her blood alcohol content level (BAC) was extremely elevated, she was mandated to spend one day inside the local jail.

Shelly Talks to Her Manager and The Human Resources Director

When Shelly arrived at work on Tuesday morning, she right away informed her manager what had happened and she asked if she might possibly go and talk to the Human Resources manager about her DWI arrest.

When she got to the HR department and met with the manager, she explained that she hadn’t been intoxicated since her university days and that she was quite embarrassed about her DUI arrest. She also emphasized the point that she needed some help locating an experienced and successful “drunk driving” lawyer who would represent her “drunk driving” case. Stated another way, Shelly really wanted the Human Resources manager to agree that she needed to see a DUI attorney.

The Human Resources director told Shelly that she should see somebody in the company employee’s assistance program to discuss any future drinking difficulty that she may have. The HR manager also mentioned that she needs to talk about her wish to hire a “drunk driving” attorney to represent her with respect to her DWI case.

Moreover, the Human Resources manager told Shelly that it was really positive that she really wanted to hire a “drunk driving” attorney because of the difficulties and difficult implications that are affiliated with a DWI conviction.

The Human Resources director could tell that Shelly was noticeably upset and humiliated by this total circumstance. Consequently, he assured Shelly that while he doesn’t think that conscientious people ought to ever get behind the wheel right after consuming alcohol, sadly these situations at times take place to pretty good individuals.

The Human Resources director then mentioned that because such a circumstance can’t be undone, what’s crucial is what the individual does from this point in time forward. As acknowledged by the Human Resources manager, “does the man or women learn from his/her blunders or does the individual develop a pattern of alcohol related difficulties that cause the man or women long-term suffering and pain”?

Fortunately, Shelly Did Not Have a History of Heavy and Excessive Drinking

Just before finishing their conversation, the Human Resources director explained to Shelly that it was very positive that she doesn’t have a track record of irresponsible drinking drinking. Furthermore, she hasn’t had an alcohol-related problem since her university days (which was around 9 years ago). Consequently, Shelly ought to be in a position to deal with her DUI arrest with remorse but also with some assurance knowing that she will face and work through this issue and become a better person in the near future.

Shelly thanked the Human Resources director for his helpful and motivating words and then walked over towards the company employee’s assistance program to discuss her “driving while intoxicated” arrest, her participation in abusive and irresponsible drinking over the weekend, and her wish to employ a DWI lawyer to represent her “driving under the influence” case.

After reflecting on Shelly’s “story,” the nurse that was part of the company employee’s assistance program went over Shelly’s immediate “action plan” that she needed to address and follow. First, she would be required to take a DUI class to learn more DUI facts and information. Second, she would also be required to take an alcohol abuse class to address her possible problem drinking. And finally, it would be an especially pragmatic thing to do if she were to meet with a DUI lawyer about her “drunk driving” arrest.

Shelly Feels Encouraged That She Will Learn From Her Oversight and Turn Out To Be More Accountable

It was obvious that Shelly was highly depressed with the whole DUI predicament, but after talking to the Human Resources director and to the healthcare professional in the company employee’s assistance program, she felt a sense of relief knowing that she would actually learn from her blunder and become even more healthy, even more sensible, and an even more grateful woman.

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