The following contains details of sexual assault which may be distressing. For 24-hour support, please call 1800 RESPECT.
When I picture an ‘alcoholic’, I imagine a man, sleeping rough with a paper bag full of liquor in his hand.
I don’t think of me. I come from a good family, I was educated in private schools and have both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. I’ve had a hugely successful professional career. I’m well-travelled, financially secure, and happily married with two beautiful children.
But it is me. I am an alcoholic.
I wish I knew where things went wrong, and where I crossed the line from social drinker to full blown alcoholic, but I can’t pin-point the day.
Your body after one year without alcohol. Post continues after video.
But now I’m 47 days sober, and I’ve started to think about what could have affected my self esteem to the point where I abuse alcohol.
How it started
There are only two incidents I can think of. The first one was a sexual abuse, the second one as being called ugly when I was 14.
Top Comments
You have seen your problems and are doing something about it- so many women don’t. All those wine memes annoy me as it just normalises a real problem. My best friend is a full on alcoholic. You can’t put it down to single life experiences but the way you cope with depression and anxiety. My friend is so bad she gets the shakes if she doesn’t drink and can’t leave the house without her secret stash of vodka in her bag.
I have had her over to detox twice- involving a GP, diazepam and friendship but she always goes home to her old problems ( severe anxiety and depression, abusive relationship, poor money management skills, unemployment homelessness. These stresses drive her to alcohol but at the same time alcohol causes many of her problems particularly in terms of money as you can’t drink a bottle of vodka or two a day on the dole.
Before she got to this stage she was the stay at home mum coping with life with wine.
Dear writer, thank you for being brave enough to talk about your experience with so much insight. I am so sorry for all that you have been through. I hope you are getting the help you need. Would love to see a follow up post about this. All the very best to you