When I was at the mercy of alcohol, I knew there was only one option - to seek help from someone who knows something about what it is, this disease, this killer that was hurting not only me but my family aswell.
By the time I hit this low point I had already done rehab - twice. Tried on my own to get this under 'control' but there was never very much control as I always ended up right back where I didn't want to be - drunk or hungover, longing for another drink that would help me feel better. Hiding alcohol, disposing of bottles, living a secret dependent useless life that was a cycle of drink, sleep, try to work, drink, sleep.
When I rang for help I got an immediate response - kindness, understanding and someone to pick me up, help dust me off, talk to me kindly and people who understood me - more than I understood myself. They could see what I was going through and they really did understand the path and the journey. I guess they also knew what I had to go through to get sober - the 9 months of lovely sobriety that I have today I owe to the people who helped me accept my alcoholism.
The Turning Point was my third attempt at recovery and finally I was ready to listen and learn from people (now friends) who got it. Getting me sober was their first job as I entered "half cut" and had to continue to sip on the bottle over the first evening until they could get me to a doctor to safely detox. Not everyone (including me) understands how dangerous it is to sober up without medical help. Withdrawing from alcohol can be more dangerous than coming off heroin.
It was only with the kindness, compassion and truly lovely people at The Turning Point that helped me finally find my ‘Turning Point' to say to myself "shut up and listen" and then with help and guidance I decided it was time to change my life, turn around and start to enjoy a sober life. I had to stop fighting and admit that AA and sticking with people in sobriety was the only way I could make this work and start to actually enjoy life again. Now I have a sober life and it is better than the sick and lonely life that was propped up by a bottle. Today is a good day, Today I am sober.