Alcoholism Issues and Short Stories

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The following represents various issues, problems, and short stories about people who have faced drinking problems.

Some People Can’t Handle the Facts

Steven was a steel worker who had a reputation as a heavy drinker.  One night he met a young lady named Becky at the local bar.  While Steven and Becky were talking, Becky asked Steven if he drank as much as was rumored.  Steven said that he wasn’t sure if a person should believe everything he hears, but he did admit that he probably drank too much.

Then Becky asked him the following question:  “don’t you ever worry about the negative alcohol effects on the body?  Aren’t you concerned about your health?”  Steven actually got a bit defensive with this question but bit his tongue and answered that he should start thinking about his drinking a little more.

He then excused himself to go to the restroom and instead left the bar.  Apparently Becky’s question hit a sensitive nerve and since he didn’t want to pursue the issue any further, he decided to leave the bar. Steven is living proof that some people can’t face the truth.

Alcoholism, Alcohol Abuse, and the Wisdom From the Past

When I think about alcoholism and alcohol abuse and about all the people throughout the world who are alcoholics or alcohol abusers I wonder if mankind is really advancing and becoming more healthy as time goes by.  As a case in point, the most technologically advanced countries in the world face serious alcohol abuse and alcoholism problems. 

As has been documented both online and offline, man has known about the damaging and unhealthy effects of abusive drinking for thousands of years.  To my way of thinking, we should be able to acknowledge the wisdom of the past and apply this wisdom to our lives.

To a relatively great extent, however, it seems like mankind today is not only ignoring the wisdom from the past but is actually engaging in an increasing amount of hazardous and irresponsible drinking.  Something doesn’t seem “right” with this situation.

A High School Teacher Gets His Students to Think About Alcohol Abuse Effects

Mr. Franks was the tenth-grade health teacher at a small rural high school.  One morning, after greeting his class, the first thing he did was to ask his students the following question:   “What are the alcohol long term effects?” His students found this to be an exciting topic and everyone in the class added something to the discussion.

At the end of the class Mr. Franks told his students that he wrote down each response and that the next morning, they would discuss their input.  The next morning Mr. Franks told the class that they came up with excellent answers but that in almost every instance, the focal point was on the long-term health status of the drinker.

He then asked the class to focus on the impact of abusive drinking on the people who are related to or who are friends with the drinker.  This immediately resulted in quality input from his students.  After class, Mr. Franks thought to himself “mission accomplished.  I got my students to think.”

Do All Drinkers Experience the Same Alcohol Effects?

Do all drinkers experience the same effects of alcohol?  Does everyone get headaches when they drink too much?  Does everyone eventually get health problems from excessive drinking?  Do most people lose their job due to alcohol abuse?

Do most heavy drinkers get one or more DUIs?  Clearly, the effects of alcohol do not affect everyone exactly the same.  When the research scientists discuss the negative effects of alcohol, they are looking at how excessive drinking affects a large number of people.  Obviously, not every person in this group will react the same way to hazardous drinking.

The bottom line, however, is that repetitive, long term alcohol abuse is highly correlated with certain negative consequences and if a person wants to avoid these negative outcomes, he or she needs to drink moderately or not at all.

A Personal Trainer Ponders Her Drinking and Stops Drinking Cold Turkey

Angela was a personal trainer who walked the talk.  She not only knew how to get others to look physically fit, but she herself looked like she had exercised for years.  Since she was into physical fitness and health, it did not take long at all for her to realize that her more frequent visits to the local bar for happy hour was affecting her in negative way. 

In short, Angela noticed some negative effects of alcohol in her life in spite of the fact that she only went to happy hour once or twice per week.  In her line of work, feeling sluggish and losing one’s energy are critical. 

So it didn’t take Angela long before she totally stopped drinking and started to feel her old sense of energy.  Angela is one of the fortunate individuals who is in tune with her body and who does something constructive when problems arise.

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