Labatty

My best friends brother in law passed away Saturday from Esophageal Varices. His roommate found him.

I watched her family fight so hard to get him help. He had done a stint in rehab a year and a half ago, but started again. A couple of months ago he had a seizure, was admitted to a hospital to detox.

This time they thought he was going to make it. I sat next to him in church a couple of weeks ago, he looked good & happy. He even volunteered to help with the music program at church. I guess he started hitting the bottle pretty bad again before he passed.

My friend is one of a few people that know how bad my alcohol use was.

I hate alcohol. I don't buy any of the health benefits bull crap. I can't see anything positive about it anymore. I have a lot of friends, including my husband that still drink. It's hard to be tolerant, but that's their choice. I wish people would never pick up in the first place.

I just wanted to share this. My friends brother in law was only 45 years old. My ex-husband, my kids dad, passed away 4 years ago from alcoholic liver failure. It devastated them. You would think that would have been motivation enough for me to quit earlier, but a lot of you know what a horrible hold alcohol can have on a person.

To all of you struggling please just quit, don't give up. Please

lessgravity

Very sad to hear. Sympathies are with your friend's family. It truly is a poison, though I do know plenty of people who do not abuse it.

For those of us who do though, high is the price we pay.

Labatty

Lessgravity. I know a lot of people that don't abuse it either. My husband doesn't . It's just such a slippery slope. Not in a million years did I ever think I'd be an alcoholic. My son also struggles. He'll have a year of sobriety in October. My dad & his side of the family were alcoholics. My dad was lucky enough to quit, but it killed two of his brothers. It is such a high price to pay.

lessgravity

My wife is the same as your spouse - can truly take it or leave it. My son is 10 and I worry about him in the future. My father too was an alcoholic, though he quit years ago. He's a dry drunk in many ways though - just kind of a depressed guy. It's an ugly thing, addicted to the drink. We can only get ourselves clean and try and take care of those around us.

Anna

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend's family member and for your ex-husband as well. I think there are many people who drink without becoming alcoholic or having to worry about the slippery slope.

Labatty

I don't mean to diss people who drink. I have to admit I'm a little jealous that I can't participate anymore. I guess I could, but I've promised myself that I won't ever drink again. Just feeling bad today after seeing it cause so much sadness.