When I was in the tenth grade in high school, I enrolled into a substance abuse class. At that time, I did not comprehend that alcohol abuse actually was a sub classification of drug abuse. While taking this class and learning more about drug and alcohol abuse, I read a lot about Alcoholic Anonymous, their meetings, how their programs have twelve steps, and how successful the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program has been for individuals throughout the world. I also learned a lot about alcohol rehabilitation and the diverse alcohol rehab clinics that are usually available to people who engage in heavy drinking.
Some of the damaging effects associated with alcoholism and alcohol abuse that I learned about in this class undeniably terrified me. The ruined lives and countless serious issues experienced by most alcoholics made me feel like I never wanted to drink alcohol when I became old enough. Stated differently, I did not want to face the damage and ruination that alcohol dependent people almost always go through.
Let this sink in for a moment. What fifteen-year-old teenager wants to face premature death due to his or her drinking behavior? What young person wants to become so out-of-control regarding his or her drinking that consuming alcohol becomes the object of one’s life? What teenager wants to go to one of the local alcoholic rehabilitation centers to deal with alcohol-related issues before he or she becomes an adult?
What young person wants to go through alcohol withdrawal symptoms when he or she tries to quit drinking? Why would a person engage in drinking to such an extent that it would cause difficulties in every area of his or her life? Drinking later in life after an individual has a career, a family, and develops personal responsibilities makes sense. But why would an adolescent want to sacrifice his or her education, employment, finances, and relationships for a life that centers on hazardous drinking?
These issues were so significant that I discussed some of them in class throughout the school year. What was entirely incredible to me was the number of students who openly didn’t care about the damaging results of hazardous drinking that I discussed. It was almost as if they couldn’t be bothered with reality and how these effects can shatter their lives. For the first time in my life I started to understand a saying that my grandfather used to say to me all through my adolesence: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
Tags: alcohol abuse, alcohol rehab, alcohol rehab clinics, alcohol treatment, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, alcoholic rehabilitation centers, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental health, self improvement, substance abuseRelated posts
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