Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
My friend Herbs memorial is tomorrow, and the local pub.
The pub where I met him... many, many, years ago and partied with him, many more times than I can remember...and where he partied for the last time, only hours before a swift, but painful, alcoholic death.
I've been to too many of these memorials...known too many people who were slaves to alcohol...one way or another. Either dying from alcoholism, or became alcoholics when diagnosed with something else. The first ones I drank through...and I saw nothing wrong with it...they would have been right there, drinking all day long, had it been one of us.
I was at that pub the day he passed away...as the designated driver for two of his friends. The bar tender was all upset over the death, and had said the boss told her she just had to be strong and work through it. I consoled her by saying, "Think of it this way...if Herb were sat here, and someone else had died, he'd let you be sad for a bit, then he'd say, "Alright, he's dead already...I'm still alive, and I need a beer". Sad? Yes. Funny?...yeah...True? 100%. Which leads me back to sad.
I have total faith that I will not drink...because these are the type of things that smack me upside the soul, and remind me of why I choose not to pick up that 1st drink...and I believe Herb will support me there.
Peace all
The pub where I met him... many, many, years ago and partied with him, many more times than I can remember...and where he partied for the last time, only hours before a swift, but painful, alcoholic death.
I've been to too many of these memorials...known too many people who were slaves to alcohol...one way or another. Either dying from alcoholism, or became alcoholics when diagnosed with something else. The first ones I drank through...and I saw nothing wrong with it...they would have been right there, drinking all day long, had it been one of us.
I was at that pub the day he passed away...as the designated driver for two of his friends. The bar tender was all upset over the death, and had said the boss told her she just had to be strong and work through it. I consoled her by saying, "Think of it this way...if Herb were sat here, and someone else had died, he'd let you be sad for a bit, then he'd say, "Alright, he's dead already...I'm still alive, and I need a beer". Sad? Yes. Funny?...yeah...True? 100%. Which leads me back to sad.
I have total faith that I will not drink...because these are the type of things that smack me upside the soul, and remind me of why I choose not to pick up that 1st drink...and I believe Herb will support me there.
Peace all
Ellen, I know it seems that people would see how horrible this disease is and hear it, but they just will not stop till they want to. You lost your Barry a month before I lost my husband, we are all appalled that someone would have a memorial at a pub, and the bartender is waxing sadly about his death, and then pour a drink.
Maat, I am truly sorry about your friend Herb, I am - I just have to agree that it is so sad and funny and alcoholic.
One of my husbands drinking buds came to his memorial. We did not serve alcohol. He came hangover, and left early. His hands were shaking before the food was served. Then he emailed me later to say he was so torn up he had to leave and be consoled by his wife. Sure.
Drink up.
God, I sound crass, I am sorry, I am just so very tired of seeing the death from this disease, as tired a Maat is.....
Herb had been in and out of rehab countless times over the years, and had numerous DUI's as well...his demons out weighed his desire to quit drinking and ultimately, he resigned himself to the fact that he was a drunk. Macabre as it may be...that was Herb.
Prayers for you & those who are mourning their loss....