I was born in a Christian home--as far back as I can remember, I went to church
every Sunday. I never drank alcohol. I didn't party in high school
after games or other events like my friends. It was in college that I began
drinking and "let loose". Every weekend was like a party--especially
during the football season. My drinking progressively got worse. I
began to drink daily, even before and between classes. As a result, my grades
began to drop. Somehow I was able to maintain a C average so that I didn't
flunk out. Praise God. However, these grades were not good enough
to enter medical school, which is what I had originally planned to do. My
grades were, however, good enough for me to be accepted into nursing school and
I was able to work my way into anesthesia school. I made great grades regardless
of my continued partying. Throughout this entire time I thought that there
was nothing wrong with my lifestyle. I didn't even see a problem with my
beginning to drink in the morning as soon as I was off of "call".
Things progressed in this manner through my career until I injured my back.
I was prescribed pills to control the pain. I would combine the pills with
alcohol and think that things were really great. Life continued this way
for several months until I ran out of pills. I wanted this lifestyle to
continue, so I swiped some narcotics from my anesthesia cart. This began
a pattern of drinking and taking narcotics, all the while thinking that I had
no problem. I was teaching a Sunday School class, attending church every
week, and had even been elected Deacon of our church. Also, I feel that
I need to tell you, that I am, and have been, married to a wonderful and supportive
woman for 27 years. My addiction progressed undetected until I got busted
on a urine check at the hospital at which I was employed. My addiction had
been so well hidden that my employers had the urine re-tested several times before
ever confronting me. Needless to say, I was given the choice of going to
rehab or losing my license. I chose to go to rehab. That was 7 years
ago. Since then I have not taken any prescription drugs, but I have relapsed
several times with alcohol. I had been attending AA and I even tried a faith-based
recovery program. These were apparently not helping because I continued
to drink. I felt that something was missing. I knew, at this time
in my life, that if I didn't address and take care of this problem, the addiction
would end up costing me my marriage, my job and my health. I then heard
about Addicts Victorious and the "5-Day Biblical Counseling Program"
from a friend. It took months for me to get there. Once I arrived,
I was delivered from my alcoholism in ONE day! I have since had NO desire
to drink alcohol! It hasn't even crossed my mind! I am so anxious to share
the news of this Program with others!! PRAISE GOD! If God can help me, He
can surely help others with addictions such as mine! I thank God for this
Program--it is a life-saver!!