Quitting Drinking and OTC Pain Meds: Or, the power of violent course corrections

his time of night, three years ago yesterday evening, I finished what would be my last drink.

Unbeknownst to me, for the preceding decade I’d been slowly killing myself. A decade of heavy social drinking and over the counter pain meds had taken its pound of flesh, and left me with what I would soon come to discover was low grade cirrhosis. I was given two choices: knock it off, or die. I lovingly refer to it as a violent course correction. Were it strictly up to me, I’d’ve probably chosen the latter option. I hate people, and meetings, and meetings full of people, and both bourbon and beer are delicious; not to mention an option to dull the ever present chronic pain that is dancing partners with an aging body with cerebral palsy, which is a mighty enticing thing when administered in an ice cold glass, and a bottle of Tylenol.

Thankfully I found my “why”. I have people around me that love and care about me, and depend on me. A slow, self administered downfall is no way to repay them.

Three years on down the line my health is in check, and I’ve learned better coping mechanisms to deal with the chronic pain. Most importantly I’m still around for the people that I love, that have given me so much throughout the course of my life.

I’m glad I’m here.

With any luck I’ve got a few more decades left on this rock. There’s more work to be done.

Find your “why”. Do the work. The rest will come.

I’ve still never set foot in a meeting.