WHAT is WRONG with You?!

"I can't even tell you how many times people asked me,

 

"WHAT is WRONG with You?!"

 

I didn't think anything was wrong with me -

everyone else was the problem."

"I started drinking in middle school, my main source of alcohol coming from my parent's bar in the basement. My daring made me very popular with like-minded friends. My parents would ask me THE QUESTION and my reply was always that I didn't feel well.

In high school, I drank every day. I was able to buy booze at two liquor stores without being carded and I became a very good customer. I bought for myself and others - which made me even more popular. As my tolerance increased, I had to drink more to get that good buzzed feeling. Then I started having trouble in relationships. My friends started asking me THE QUESTION when I would drink too much and create drama. The solution at the time: I need new friends.

I didn't get into the best college because of my drinking, but I got in somewhere so all was good in my mind. Finally - I thought I was free from people asking THE QUESTION and I could drink as much as I wanted! I sought out people who drank like me and we drank every single day. Within a short period of time, people started asking THE QUESTION again. I was put on academic probation and I knew I had to get it together. I decided to drink only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This made for a long week.

After completing college, I got my first real job and was delighted with the party atmosphere at the office. We drank together almost every night and I thought all was well. But it wasn't long before they started asking THE QUESTION.

I started getting really depressed and thought about committing suicide. All of my relationships were either over or strained. I would try to stop drinking on my own, only to start up again and drink to obliteration.

Within six months of starting my job, THE QUESTION was asked by my boss and the ultimatum came down: "stop drinking or you're fired." That saved my life and changed my life.

I entered a 28 day treatment program and came to believe that I was an alcoholic and that my life was unmanageable. Getting sober wasn't easy, but it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am part of a 12 Step Program ... and no one has asked me, "WHAT is WRONG with You?!" for a long time."

~ Anonymous

To submit your story, poetry, art, music, or video

on how underage and binge drinking has negatively impacted

your life or the life of someone you know,

please email: canyouaffordit@gmail.com.

 

We respect the anonymity of all.