re: #203 b_sharp

OT:
Sadness alert.

Just got off the phone with my son who is in Massachusetts with his wife presenting one of her films.

My son is an admitted alcoholic struggling with his addiction and it is sending him into a deep depression. He’s alienated his mom and now he’s afraid he might alienate his wife. Every time he stops drinking he gets the DTs and he thinks he lost his job last week because he was drunk on the job, and he also insulted his landlord so he doesn’t know if he’s about to get an eviction notice.

He’s called me a couple of times when he’s been suicidal and I’ve been able to help him get past it, but I’m afraid I won’t always be able to help him.

The only thing that shows some hope is he’s willing to go into rehab.

For what it’s worth, I’ve been in about the same place as your son is right now. The fact that he’s willing to accept that he MAY have a problem (and that’s probably how he feels right now) is a big step forward. Rehab helps, in that it can 1. Help eliminate the physical dependency issues when first detoxing, 2. Provide a toolbox of methods to change thinking and behavior (the key item), 3. Give access to a support system that can help from there.

It’s hard to believe the pressure an alcoholic / addict (yes, I’m a double dipper) can put on themselves. When things start to go wrong the natural reaction is to dull the pain and that starts, as you well know, a feedback cycle that just increases the problems.

Toss in depression (and yes, I’m more than familiar with that demon also) and you have the perfect storm. My thoughts and best hopes are for you and your son. He may not make it the first time, but even if he doesn’t , it just increases the odds that he will make it next time.

RBS
9400+ days and no longer really counting.