I was never one of those persons worried over my health problems from drinking to allow me to stop. In actuality others were sure I would drink myself to death, and the idea of being forever gone was just an extension of my desire to check-out from life. I never stopped to think of the physical illness after drinking was hurting others, too, by unnecessary visits to the hospital or by lost productivity or absence from my responsibilities. I was on a mission to drink, even romanticized it. No doubt I have shortened my life from the experience.