2bhappier

I was watching a National Geographic documentary about a 28 year old man with alcoholism. His case was so extremely severe. Maybe some of you saw it. It followed this man as he went for medical testing to see how much damage he had done to himself through drinking. The upshot is that he really was killing himself and ultimately he went to rehab but he died there on his 17th day in rehab. He was 28.

It was a very sad, powerful and shocking documentary. I was wondering though, if that alone would make me want to get sober and sadly I don't think it would (if I wasn't already headed down this path).

Anyway, if you have a chance to see it it is worth watching.

Raider

I have seen it. UgH. Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking.

CAPTAINZING2000

I can remain detached when it's someone I don't know. It's gut wrenching when it happens to the people you've met in aa and struck up a friendship with.
The drink destroys us before it kills us.

KateL

I saw it the other day. Terrible and he seemed like such a nice lad xxxxx

Admiral

I think it's been posted here before, not recently though.

IOAA2

How sad! Just shows how powerful, insidious and cunning alcohol is. It is about the most painful ways to die.

BE WELL

Leshar

I don't know why they couldn't have explained his cause of death.

Tiptree

Saw it last night. I was saddened and shocked that he died, guess I thought its TV, there will be a happy ending. But he was so sick. It's unfortunate that the family enabled him for so long. Some of them knew they were enabling but were afraid he might end up in jail. Perhaps jail would have saved his life. We'll never know. Tragic.

ppl

The sad part to me was that he was too late. Had he sought help when the problem began, he'd be fine.

Very sad story. Motivates me and it should motivate you too!

least

I've seen it. Very tragic story of a life wasted and ended too young.

Pondlady

I think this was originally featured on Intervention - very sad

newhope01

I don't think I have seen this particular documentary, could anyone post a link to it?

nicole100

I just finished watching that tonight. So awful and disturbing and heartbreaking.

HopeSho

It broke my heart. He was so bad off and needed so much help. I wish he could have gotten it sooner.... Powerful reminder of where anyone of us could end up if we chose the wrong path.

Coldfusion

Here is the video:

digdug

I've said this before, but it was so hard for me to watch that, but I'm glad I did.

I drank just like that guy. Puke bucket and all. Straight vodka morning, noon and night. At the end, I could barely get any real food down. I almost died from detox right before I went to rehab (was in a coma on life support). I had the same hip issues as him and had to have both of mine replaced 7 months into my sobriety. I am 31.

Yet somehow, I survived. I don't take anything for granted. I have a second chance, but I am in no way guaranteed a third. And I don't want to go back to living like that. It's miserable.

The scary thing is one minute I had everything together. Great job. Fancy apartment. Beautiful girlfriend. And within a blink of an eye, I was that guy who couldn't function without at least a pint of vodka in me. That's the progressive nature of this disease. It will always get worse if you keep drinking. Always.