firestorm090

How much does a drink really cost? I've been thinking about this alot today, after a friend called me to go out tonight. I normally would say sure, I'll be there without a second thought. Actually, I even thought about calling her back and taking her up on her invitation.

But then, I started to think about how expensive it is to drink. It's not the price of a glass of wine or a shot of JD, or even a couple of beers that matters; it's the price of human diginity, the loss of families and friends, the loss of dreams we had, loves we shared and hopes for our lives. Those lost dreams and aspirations hurt the most, the lost loves and friends along the way in life, they're all irreplacable and gone forever. It's the loss of innocence, the dance with the devil and living on the edge that costs so much. I grieve the losses in my life and a few beers or shots can't eliminate those losses, can't minimize the tears shed due to my alcoholism and the years that have slipped away that were viewed through the bottom of a beer glass. It's a high price to pay, the most expensive price I've ever paid in my life.

Sure we can start fresh today, don't drink today, but I can't forget the past, nor shut the door on it, because repeating the past is the price of forgetting just how expensive a drink really is.

I think I'll pass on the invitation to have a few drinks tonight.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

Dee74

I figure I'd be gambling with everything I've worked on for the past 3 years - my health/life, gf, friends, SR, peace of mind, contentment, self respect, happiness - the list goes on...

Talk about putting everything on the black.

Good thread D

D

least

Drinking cost me a lot but I am now able to earn some of it back.

firestorm090

Thanks least and Dee.

Turning down the invitation for tonight was extremely hard, even with all the history I have with booze.

So I think I have to rename the booze in my head so that I see it in a different light.

Kinda like this:

PBR = Poor Broke Redneck
JD = Just Divorced
Southern Comfort = on a long lonely night after she kicked me out.
Coors = Could've ordered our rings
JB = Just Bent
Rum = Ruined ur marriage

Well, that's a few to get started. Maybe others can think of a few.

stephnc

Hahahahahahahaha! Excellent. Happy Friday to you.

littlefish

I heard a great speaker a few weeks ago and she described the same thing. Sitting at the bar she said, (something like this):
I'll give you my dignity if you just give me a drink. I'll hand over my peace of mind and sanity, for a drink. Here's my job and my stability, another drink please...
The list went on. It rang so true to me.

Mcribb

I drink. I die.

Fandy

I was just thinking Peace of Mind....along with a good night's restful sleep.

DayTrader

That's a good story of surrender D! Doing what you NEED to do vs. what you want to do. Growing up is a B*** isn't it?

Cottonwoodchris

Funny, I was going to post something similar. But for me it's been the hospital bills. April of 2007, 2 weeks in the hospital was $220,000. Medi Cal paid that one, thank God.

Got the ambulance bill and hospital bill for Sept. 1 this year, Ambulance $1,600 (for a 3 mile trip? Come on!) ER $5,400 for a 5 hour stay. Enough to make me cry. And enough to keep my mind on the right, sober track!

Zencat

It took me a long time for it to finally sink in that I could no longer afford to drink/drug. Its that psychical change that happens when then the deep realization of drugging is no longer an option.

blackstrat6

Amazing post!
Thank you.