[Tweety]

Originally Posted by sistermike

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!

Thanks sistermike for your honesty. It helps my recovery when others share their story.

I too have "switched addictions" and have food issues as well, especially those first few years of getting sober.

[Thunderwolf]

Hugs, Tweety.


Tweety's medallion

[Franemtnurse]

Originally Posted by 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

Me too Mike. I was treated horrificly by my much younger and oh so immature classmated when I was in nursing school. One of my nursing instructors commended me for my forbearance under their pressure too. I graduated with a perfect attendance award.

[Stringer]

Originally Posted by Tweety

I grew up feeling different from others. I was always the kid that other kids made fun of and was horribly uncool. My home life was a bit dysfunctional, but not as bad as it could have been.. Mom had issues with mental illness and my Army Officer dad was strict but not around much. This all lead to a shy kid with little social skills.

When I started drinking in high school I immediately loved it. It coincided with my coming out as gay. I made friends and was able to relax and develop some social skills, only when drinking. Those were the days of disco and I had much fun dancing with the other gay guys and feeling a “part of” for the first time in my life. Booze was my friend and I was enjoying life.

Little did I know the booze that gave me such courage and social skills would nearly kill me. From age 17 to 24 I drank frequently and in excess, flunked out of college, lied, cheated, stole, was suicidal, even spent a night or two in jail, and become a monster of a miserable human being. I reverted to the shy kid with no social skills and was a daily drinker at home alone. At age 24 I went to a 7-week rehab and immediately drank when I got out. Didn’t learn a thing. Eventually after several tries something clicked and I became a faithful member of AA racking of 6 years of sobriety during which I became an RN and a born-again Christian (my sprititual life tends to lean towards other areas, and I can no longer claim to be a Christian, although the life of Jesus continues to inspire me). Life was really good and things had finally turned around for me.

When I moved to Florida I decided to ditch my program and started drinking again. I forgot that I was an alcoholic and wanted to be “normal” and thought I could handle it. Two years of drinking later I found out I couldn’t. After a blackout where I woke up the day after Thanksgiving, I cried out yet again for help and have been sober 11 years since.

I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be clean and sober. I have so such a gratitude for life and health. Sometimes that shy insecure guy is there, but for the most part I’ve changed 100% for the better.

Each day I thank God that I’m sober and pray to stay that way. I can not for one moment deny that if I drink again, I will become addicted again and I may not make it back this time.

I still go to AA meetings, usually once a week, and I surround myself with recovering alcoholic friends (but not exclusively) to keep me accountable. I love talking to and helping other alcoholics in recovery. I realize there are many ways to get sober, but AA is the one that worked for me, so I’ll stick with them.

Being sober isn’t always easy, but life isn’t easy. Nothing has ever been so bad that I haven’t been able to make it through sober the last 11 years.

I could go on and on and on and write a book, but I’ll spare the reader, and if you’ve read this far, I’m thankful.

I would love to hear from other nurses in recovery about your story and journeys in recovery because it will help me. I encourage you to make a post with your story.

w00t!

You Rock.

Seeing an Admin be forthright here has a lot to do with my joining this Web site, and this forum in general. I have been watching allnurses for some time. Your post brought me through the door.

Thank you!

[Grace Oz]

Originally Posted by earle58

wow, tweety.

just, wow.

you never cease to amaze me.

i honestly didn't think i could admire you more, but you did it again.

you are truly, one of a kind.

leslie

Ditto Ditto Ditto, what Leslie wrote!
Bless you mate! (((hug)))

[bethin]

I applaud your honesty Tweety.

There's always one question I've wanted to ask a recovering alcoholic: when you go out with friends, lets say to a wedding where there is drinking, do you still feel that urge? Is it with you everyday? How do you cope?

I've heard that you always feel the urge but I've heard that on TV and you know you can't believe everything you hear.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by bethin

I applaud your honesty Tweety.

There's always one question I've wanted to ask a recovering alcoholic: when you go out with friends, lets say to a wedding where there is drinking, do you still feel that urge? Is it with you everyday? How do you cope?

I've heard that you always feel the urge but I've heard that on TV and you know you can't believe everything you hear.

Good question.

I rarely ever have the urge to drink. Mercifully it's been lifted from me and I really don't feel tempted when around others who are drinking. Every blue moon it crosses my mind that it would be nice to be normal and drink along with them. But then I follow it through, one drink is never enough and one drink is too much. It will only lead to disaster. So mostly it's a fleeting thought.

I don't often find myself in drinking situations. There's plenty to do sober and plenty of sober/non-drinkers to hang around with. It's a pleasure, honor, privilege, a gift, and blessing to be sober. It's not a struggle for me at this point in my reocvery.

I need to go to AA meetings though to remind me that I'm an alcoholic. It keeps it green for me.

[bethin]

Thanks Tweety. I wasn't sure if my question was rude and I wasn't trying to be, but I was just curious. I think it takes a really strong person to be able to do what you continue to do.

If I haven't said already, CONGRATULATIONS! You are so much stronger than I.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by bethin

Thanks Tweety. I wasn't sure if my question was rude and I wasn't trying to be, but I was just curious. I think it takes a really strong person to be able to do what you continue to do.

If I haven't said already, CONGRATULATIONS! You are so much stronger than I.

No problem Bethin, now that I busted my own anonymity about it, I certainly don't mind questions.

You're very sweet, but no, I'm quite weak, In fact, so weak I was brought to my knees, at which time I then found my strength after complete surrender. Strength was no where within me. If I were strong, I wouldn't need God or other people, I could have done it myself through sheer strength and willpower.

[sharona97]

Originally Posted by Tweety

No problem Bethin, now that I busted my own anonymity about it, I certainly don't mind questions.

You're very sweet, but no, I'm quite weak, In fact, so weak I was brought to my knees, at which time I then found my strength after complete surrender. Strength was no where within me. If I were strong, I wouldn't need God or other people, I could have done it myself through sheer strength and willpower.

Tweety, it is through God and others that gives you your strength. It started with your surrender and so it continues.

Coming from an alcoholic insane home, I've been through 3 inpatient treatments as a co-dependent for my husband of 30 years.

As I've said before adversity is given to us for a reason, What we are is God's gift to us
What we become Is our gift to God.