[Suesquatch]

Hey, me too.

Don't drink and go to meetings. And if that doesn't work, don't drink and go to another meeting.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Tweety, I honestly never would've guessed. That shows me how far you've come in your journey. Thanks so much for sharing.

[jb2u]

Tweety, what courage and strength you have. Thanks for sharing!!!

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

Hey, me too.

Don't drink and go to meetings. And if that doesn't work, don't drink and go to another meeting.

Yep, most of the time it really is that simple.

Originally Posted by Angie O'Plasty, RN

Tweety, I honestly never would've guessed. That shows me how far you've come in your journey. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thanks. You wouldn't believe how different I am now than when I first got sober. Two completely different people. I tend to keep my anonymity, so when it does come up those rare occasions people don't really believe me.

[sharona97]

Tweety,

Surprise! I always had a special feeling for you through your posts. Truly, as another poster posted, you never cease to amaze me.

We all slip backwards no matter the cause, realize it and try to move forward, only better the next time.

I grew up with a severe alcoholic mom and anger grabbed me by the throat.
I owe you an apology (you know why) and I am sorry.

The only thing I truly understand is honesty, and I thank you for yours. I believe in the power of hope and divine intervention, and I believe we are both blessed with that.

I wish you continued success in your sobriety.

Sharona

[Sabby_NC]

Tweety I sit here with tears in my eyes.
What an amazing out pouring about yourself. Your trials and tribulations.
My friend I admire you strength and guts in being so honest with us.
Man I love ya.

(I hope I don't have to do the eye makeup again)

[gonzo1]

Tweety, you have been one of my favorite people since I starting being part of the allnurses family. I always look forward to every post from you. Thanks for showing all of us that its not the destination, but rather the journey that is important.
I look forward to many more years of sharing with you.
I think most people don't realize how pervasive alcohol is in our lives. My dad was an alcoholic and I went on a five year bender myself.
My son did too, but he is completely clean and sober now and an impressive young man.

[Franemtnurse]

My turn. Tweety, Thank you so very much for your forthrightness and your honesty. I truly admire you. My mother was a drug addict. I grew up hating what drugs do to a person, because the addiction also spread to my brother and his family. He is now wearing a pacemaker with a defibrillator. He is also a severe diabetic due to his eating habits, which I do understand, because we grew up eating some sort of sweet every single day. I was a smoker, and began smoking at age 8 with my brother who was just 7 at the time. Why? Because it all began with our mother asking us to light her cigarettes, and spread to when a neighbor bully beat both of us up until we joined him in his smoking. I smoked for 15 years, but was always able to go all day without smoking while I was in school. But by then, I was so desperate to have a cigarette, I would even collect cigarette butts until I got enough of them to fill a cigarette paper and then put them together and smoke. Then were the days of non filtered cigarettes too.

I smoked for 15 years, and quit cold turkey. I was having such a hard time with withdrawl, that my twin sister who also once smoked, told me to take just one puff, because that was how she was able to quit. That one puff made her sick to her stomach. But I knew better. I wasn't her, and I knew my body could react to that one puff could just be the thing to get me back to smoking.

It took me 18 long years of taking just one day a time of even experiencing nightmares, but I did it. So I do understand your feeling of success. I no longer crave nicotine either, and am thankful for it.

May you always be blessed with your self assurance and know we respect you.

[psychmalenurse]

I admire your honesty. There are a number of nurses who have addictions to many things, not just drugs and alcohol. I have many nursing friend who are in recovery for gambling, drugs, alcohol, food, sex, shopping, etc. It is not a surprise that caregivers come from a background of some family history of addiction. Nursing is an amazing career. I would love the day that we nurses treat each other with respect. I know most do, but when I started nursing back in 1989 I experienced lateral violence at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. I never saw or experienced this in nursing school or working at the hospital I was going to shcool. I admire honesty at my age now and don't waste my time with those who can't be human. Peace and respect,
Mike

[MikeyJ]

That truly is inspiring, Tweety! I am so happy that you were finally able to find yourself and live a happy and sober life!

I was raised by an alcoholic mother and alcoholic step-father. Alcoholism and drug addiction runs very strong on my mother and fathers side. I fought an eating disorder in high school, and also found alcohol an escape for 2 years of my high school years.

I had the unpleasant role of taking care of my aunt who was slowly dying from liver cirrhosis due to her chronic alcoholism. She died at the age of 41 and it was the most horrible death I ever had to witness. Fortunate for me, I have chosen not to touch alcohol since that experience.

I developed an addiction to food soon after that but chose to revamp my entire life almost 2 years ago. Since then I have lost nearly 50 pounds and really try to lead a healthy and happy life.

Thank you for sharing, Tweety!