Just had to let you know that I could so relate to that article. I too spent several years drinking and fighting at those "Pioneer Days"

Nice share. Where it mentions... "The woman who spoke with me on the phone that morning encouraged me to come and check in that very day, but I told her I needed a few days to get my affairs in order for the 28 days I would be away. Those three days of postponement could have been fatal. Each day that passed allowed for the internal litany of rationalization that is part of the disease. "You're not really an alcoholic" the voices said, "you just had a bad night." By the third day I was pretty much convinced that I'd overreacted..." Could be a thread on its own.

I did go that day. I didn't say goodbye to my 3yo let alone get my affairs on order. I couldn't continue the path I was on and left that day for long term rehab only calling my husband from the Navy hospital to let him know where I was headed. Next saw my family on a day visit 2 weeks later. I gave my husband my diary of the past two weeks to read while I played with my daughter in the garden. I could see him glance up now and then but I was too engulfed in looking at my daughter in a different light than I had ever done before. I was enjoying this time with her and I knew then I had to finish what I'd started for both of us.


By the end of that day thankfully so did my husband. It wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't. I had no idea of what lay ahead, but I knew I was where I needed to be at that time. If I hadn't gone that day and delayed taking any action, I wouldn't have been here for this one. Grateful for my sobriety and to have been gifted this time to share with those that mean the most to me. Life is a gift and I'm not going to waste it no more. Thanks Billy :)

Wow. Eerily familiar sounding. Thanks for sharing.

The author is really good at describing the whole experience pretty much exactly as I can relate to it.

And the "3 day wait" before entering rehab... I called on a Sunday and had to wait until Wednesday to get in. I was so afraid I would change my mind, and I too thought about drinking just to keep it "fresh" but I was too scared of the crazies that I felt that last hangover/detox.

Good reminder.

Yes!! the article jumped out at me tooI think it was the mention of shame and societies judgements that caught my eye Oh and of course my boy Tom's song :)
Well I got a bad liver and a broken heart/yeah I drunk me a river since you tore me apart/but I dont have a drinking problem cept when I cant get a drink

Bad Liver and a Broken Heart, Tom Waits, 1976
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tPymxhwaEE