Benjamin’s Musings

Alcohol treatment

I really didn’t realize that my husband and I had a drinking problem.  I have always enjoyed drinking socially, a drink with dinner, a glass of wine before bed, but I thought that was normal.  Well, we sat together one evening and we were watching a program, and the program that came on immediately after was about alcoholism.  We watched, totally oblivious to the fact that this program was talking about us. 

They started talking about alcohol addiction and how many people were addicted.  They talked for a few minutes on this, and then a list of warning signs to identify an alcohol abuse problem came on the screen.  These are the things they said to look for:

Health                                                             

• Continuing to drink even though you have health problems that are affected or caused by your drinking

Financial issues

• Paying bills late; collection agencies calling
• Inability to keep track of your money

Legal issues

• Driving while under the influence (DUI)

Risky behavior

• Putting yourself or others in danger

Employment or school

• Continuing to drink even though you realize your job or education is in jeopardy
• Missing work or school, or going in late due to alcohol use

Family and friends

• Feeling annoyed when other people comment on, or criticize your drinking habits
• Feeling remorse or guilt after drinking
• Associating with questionable acquaintances or frequenting out of the ordinary locations when drinking

Social life

• Scheduling your day around drinking
• Focusing recreational activities around obtaining alcohol, drinking or recovering from alcohol use   
• Drinking alone or in secret

Well, needless to say we sat there looking at each other in amazement and then back at the TV again.  I think we were just in total shock.  It is really hard when you realize that the TV program you are watching is about your problem, that you have had for years, and never new about.  The first thing that went through my mind was, I wonder if other people know I am an alcoholic.  Is it as obvious to them as it has always been to me? Well, I was from that point on convinced that everyone could see it.  I became completely paranoid.  Bob and I decided that we need to get help from a treatment center.  We looked into it and found out that our insurance will cover outpatient alcohol treatment, so hopefully neither of us will need a residential facility.  It just goes to show, TV can serve a purpose, some of the time.