[Hospice Nurse LPN]

Amazing story, Tweety! Thank you so much for sharing.

[LiverpoolJane]

If I were strong, I wouldn't need God or other people, I could have done it myself through sheer strength and willpower. [/quote]

You are wise enough to realise you DO need God and other people - it's people who are trying to hide and go it alone that are the weak ones. It takes enormous strength to ask for help.
My uncle has been sober for two years in April - he really hit rock bottom two years ago when he lost his job. After several sober weeks he had to go and face the human recouces staff with his union rep - he was very humble and apologetic and laid himself bare. They were so impressed with his efforts they offerred him another job - which he is still in today and very much valued. He sought help through AA and ?God - I don't know he is a very private person - but it is with help and support that he is still sober today.

I truely believe that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - you having the experiences you have had makes you a tower of strength to others. Don't underestimate yourself - you have been very strong - I applaud you.

[2bnursedane]

Oh, my Dearest Tweety!

I, like most drunks, can justify just about anything: If your mom suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed, your Aunt was diagnosed with COPD, you were their primary caretaker, and they and the other members of your immediate family (all women, like me), drank, wouldn't you?

I wasted so much of my life, and when my mother and Aunt died, my living family members (all by then in double-didgit sobriety) took me in for an intervention. Thanks be to God! I needed a change, knew I had to stop drinking, but just did'nt know how? My first lesson: You can't stop drinking drinking! After my first meeting, I realized there was no need for shame...I was not alone, after all, just lonely.

Now, my God has put me in nursing school (3.46 average, thank you very much!), he has put the most wonderful man in my life, and also good freinds. Thank you so very much, Tweety, for your inspiration and courage. You, along with Bill & Dr. Bob, have paved the way for me and countless others to live life again instead of daydreaming all day on a couch with bottles all around me! If I had one thousand tongues, I could not express my joy at this freedom!

I will continue to pray for all of us as we trudge the happy road of recovery!

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by 2bnursedane

Oh, my Dearest Tweety!

I, like most drunks, can justify just about anything: If your mom suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed, your Aunt was diagnosed with COPD, you were their primary caretaker, and they and the other members of your immediate family (all women, like me), drank, wouldn't you?

I wasted so much of my life, and when my mother and Aunt died, my living family members (all by then in double-didgit sobriety) took me in for an intervention. Thanks be to God! I needed a change, knew I had to stop drinking, but just did'nt know how? My first lesson: You can't stop drinking drinking! After my first meeting, I realized there was no need for shame...I was not alone, after all, just lonely.

Now, my God has put me in nursing school (3.46 average, thank you very much!), he has put the most wonderful man in my life, and also good freinds. Thank you so very much, Tweety, for your inspiration and courage. You, along with Bill & Dr. Bob, have paved the way for me and countless others to live life again instead of daydreaming all day on a couch with bottles all around me! If I had one thousand tongues, I could not express my joy at this freedom!

I will continue to pray for all of us as we trudge the happy road of recovery!

Thank you. My condolences about your mother and aunt. Congrats on your sobriety and good luck in nursing school. Funny how when we get sober things come into place and good things happen.

[danissa]

Tweety, your words here have finally guided me to the realisation of a Father who is an alcoholic. My Darling Dad has been sick for a few months, vomiting, unable to get on with his once active life. Long story short...he has one option..stop taking the vodka or die. His doc has given him pills, he cant drink whilst taking them. He has been ready to go every day for a week, but hasn't quite managed to take the step. Thats when I realised, I cant deal with this alone. I need help to get back my Daddy!

( A Daddy who has abused alcohol for the past nearly 40 years)

I have a good friend, have mentioned her before, now 20 years sober, an AA counsellor, she is more than willing to help my dear old Dad. Just hope this works, my Dad, for all his problems, has been the most awesome Grampa in the world, and I can count him as one of my best friends! Truly the biggest heart I have ever known!
Now, I have to help him! Any advice guys, I WILL take it on board!

Hugs to you all, XC.

[pagandeva2000]

Tweety...you are da man!! I love you, anyway, and wish you the very, very best!

[Tweety]

Danissa, I'm sorry you're going through this. All you can really do is offer your support and help him if he needs it to get sober. Perhaps you might consider a support group for yourself like Al-Alon or Adult Children of Alcoholics, if you have such a thing in the UK because you didn't cause it and you can't fix it. This is his journey.

I had to except the fact that my ex was an alcoholic and and all the love I had for him wasn't going to change that, or the fact I couldn't will him to get sober. For my own peace of mind, I had to let him go.

Hang in there.

[danissa]

Thanks Tweety. I got in touch with my friend who is going to take Dad to a meeting at AA and see what happens from there.
Long journey ahead though I imagine.
All good luck to those who are struggling with anything.

[Prodigalwoman]

I am an addict, convicted felon, recovering nurse, mother, daughter, sister, sponsor, sponsee, friend. I found this site because I was visiting the web searching for answers on employment for rn's with my challenges. My story is much like yours always feeling different, uncomfortable in my own skin, searching for answers and love in all the wrong people places and things, my addiction took me all the way down wound up as a 24/7 street walking prostitute crack head liar, thief, child abandoner, master manipulator ,part time thug, no one who knew or loved me could find me for 7 years I served a total of 3 years in prison and have now been out for 4 years and clean since 2002. I am in the recovery nurse program in my state and very gratefull to be a productive member of society however the wrekage of my past is still rearing its ugly head so I am doing the footwork and leaving the outcome to God

[Stringer]

Welcome, Prodigal.

It sounds like you're taking a healthy chunk of responsibility. There's a lot of story in the little bit you posted; lots of "wreckage" along with its pain and grieving.

Hang in there. I'm not particularly religious, but in my case anyway, I must credit the Higher Power. That "inside job" stuff is critical in my case.

I worked at some pretty low paying, menial non-nursing jobs before I re-entered nursing in a non-clinical documents review position for an insurance company. I didn't have a felony conviction, however, which means I didn't get processed through law enforcement for the felonies I committed. I don't have advice that way.

Hang in there! You know the drill, one day...one step...one prayer at a time.

Originally Posted by Prodigalwoman

I am an addict, convicted felon, recovering nurse, mother, daughter, sister, sponsor, sponsee, friend. I found this site because I was visiting the web searching for answers on employment for rn's with my challenges. My story is much like yours always feeling different, uncomfortable in my own skin, searching for answers and love in all the wrong people places and things, my addiction took me all the way down wound up as a 24/7 street walking prostitute crack head liar, thief, child abandoner, master manipulator ,part time thug, no one who knew or loved me could find me for 7 years I served a total of 3 years in prison and have now been out for 4 years and clean since 2002. I am in the recovery nurse program in my state and very gratefull to be a productive member of society however the wrekage of my past is still rearing its ugly head so I am doing the footwork and leaving the outcome to God