Double tragedy. Never say never - it IS a progressive disease.
Double tragedy. Never say never - it IS a progressive disease.
Yesterday, in the resort town where I lived until recently, two young men's lives were shattered. It happens every year - people fall from balconies, drunken swimming, drunken boating, car accidents. This time a 22 yr. old man was crossing Coastal Highway in Ocean City, MD when he was hit & killed by a 30 yr. old man who was drunk, and left the scene. Witnesses followed him, and he now sits in jail waiting for his court appearance - wishing with all his heart he could turn back the clock.
There were certain places I was NEVER going to let alcohol take me. Drunk driving was one. Yet I was arrested twice for doing just that. The second time, I spent 8 days in jail. Me - who would never harm anyone or anything. It took years to evolve into a reckless drinker, but it happened. At the end of my drinking career, my inhibitions and judgment were altered dangerously every time I picked up. I could be serving a life term for vehicular homicide - my family and friends utterly heartbroken and devastated. I'm so thankful I stopped the runaway train in time. I did it with the help of SR.
I commend you for finding this place, for reading my words, for realizing you may need to make a change in your life. If you're concerned about the impact alcohol has on you, this is the time to reach out for help. We are so glad you are here!
There were certain places I was NEVER going to let alcohol take me. Drunk driving was one. Yet I was arrested twice for doing just that. The second time, I spent 8 days in jail. Me - who would never harm anyone or anything. It took years to evolve into a reckless drinker, but it happened. At the end of my drinking career, my inhibitions and judgment were altered dangerously every time I picked up. I could be serving a life term for vehicular homicide - my family and friends utterly heartbroken and devastated. I'm so thankful I stopped the runaway train in time. I did it with the help of SR.
I commend you for finding this place, for reading my words, for realizing you may need to make a change in your life. If you're concerned about the impact alcohol has on you, this is the time to reach out for help. We are so glad you are here!
Well put, Hevyn. Events like this are a grim reminder of the insidious ways that alcohol takes over our minds and our lives, and the impact it can have on ourselves and others. What a selfish, selfish disease this is.
Been on the news here. Tragic. I have an AA friend who killed someone 30 years ago in a black out. He had to be told what he had done at the time.
All we can do is stay stopped each day. It's the least we can do today.
Love,
All we can do is stay stopped each day. It's the least we can do today.
Love,
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
there was a 21 year old the other day who drunken drove into a HOUSE and didn't stop..2 elderly women were asleep, thankfully out of her path. they showed her picture on the TV and she's smiling...I don't see upset or remorse in her face, just a few scratches.
there but for the grace of God....
there but for the grace of God....
Sugar, I can't imagine the horror of sobering up, and then the reality of what you've done hits. I never meant to drive drunk - the times it happened, I'd intended to have 'just one'.
Sometimes I feel sorry for myself because I have to battle alcoholism. I feel that it is so unfair. And then I read something like this, and realize how fortunate I am that I did not do something like this during one of my drive drunk escapades. I could have easily have done something like this, and not even remembered having done it. That scares me.
Thank you for the reminder Hevyn -- I am also this side of a couple of DUI's and today I am so grateful for my last one. It ended me up in a DUI program where I have had to take responsibility... and it has given me 6 months between now and my last drink. For that I am grateful.
Excellent post. It just proves how selfish we are and how distorted our thinking becomes as alcoholics.
A reminder to all of us that we are now taking the right path by seeking sobriety before it kills us or others.
Thankyou.
A reminder to all of us that we are now taking the right path by seeking sobriety before it kills us or others.
Thankyou.
Also thought I would never be a drunk driver... Hated them like everyone else. Then I became one and was caught the second time I ever did it because I fell asleep at the wheel. Now I know that I could have been one of these people that not only kills someone while I'm under the influence... Not even REMEMBERING doing it. Couldn't even imagine. Knowing that drinking makes me capable of something like this will hopefully keep me away from it for the rest of my life.
Hevyn,
Thank you for you post. Thank goodness I never drank and drove. I blacked out at home. I'm sure it was just a matter of time before I got in the car during one of my blackouts. Your post is another important reminder to NEVER pick up a drink again. It also shows the importance of checking in here daily to remind myself why.
Thank you for you post. Thank goodness I never drank and drove. I blacked out at home. I'm sure it was just a matter of time before I got in the car during one of my blackouts. Your post is another important reminder to NEVER pick up a drink again. It also shows the importance of checking in here daily to remind myself why.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 277
Sometimes I feel sorry for myself because I have to battle alcoholism. I feel that it is so unfair. And then I read something like this, and realize how fortunate I am that I did not do something like this during one of my drive drunk escapades. I could have easily have done something like this, and not even remembered having done it. That scares me.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bridgeton
Posts: 718
One of the reasons I turned my life over to God & then to AA is that with 40 years of drinking & driving, God kept me from hurting anyone other than myself. That is a miracle. I hit trees, poles, rolled into fields, never once hitting another car or person. I look back in amazement that this selfish, thoughtless behavior never harmed another human being. For that I thank God. It was then I realized, that he had a plan for me, he kept me alive for a reason....the journey continues, one day at a time.
Powerless over Alcohol
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Trudging the Road to Happy Destiny!
Posts: 4,018
Thank you for such a reminder. I also drove across this country several times coast to coast with a cooler right behind me. And everywhere inbetween. My heart goes out to that family and the driver. We that did not kill anyone are so blessed.
Good love, Inda
Good love, Inda
There was a college kid here who entered into someone's home in the middle of the night, in a blackout, went into their bedroom while they slept and they woke up and shot her. She's being charged with a felony for breaking into the home.
Another one who fell of a balcony recently and died.
Thanks for this thread.
Another one who fell of a balcony recently and died.
Thanks for this thread.
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