Just wanted to share that alcohol has once again claimed the life of someone I knew! Her name was Sonya and she was beautiful person. I'd known her since high school and was 'shocked' when I saw her some 20yrs later in AA (proof that alcohol doesn't discriminate). Her parents are both MDs, she graduated in our class of over 400 with honors, went on to become a RN, a wife and a mother. She would share in meetings that she "just couldn't get past 30 days". She'd come for a month, then disappear for a bit, then return and "surrender" again. According to her this was her pattern for several years. She had shared with me once that alcohol 'made her lose all inhibitions' so therefore she would 'use' other drugs if they were around, after becoming drunk.
Her 13 yr old son found her overdosed, they say, on heroin.
How sad it has been for all of us, but actually no one was shocked, I think which makes it all the more heartbreaking.
I have so much to be grateful for today! and sobriety is at the top of the list!
-- Edited by Doll at 11:28, 2006-07-15
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Sorry for that news, it always hits home, when we know them. One of my very favorite people that I had ever known was this 24 year old young man, that had 2 years, and was their everynight at 6:00, very faithful to the program, really worked his Ass off to get where he was. I will never forget walking into the room at 6:00 pm and instead of seeing my friend across the room, everyone was talking about how his girlfriend had found him overdosed on Heroin, the night before. That one was such a blow to me.
This Disease is a killer Disease, and also makes me feel such a deep Gratitude for just today, just like your Signature, the one who woke first this morning, is the one with the most Sobriety.
Doll, I am so sorry for your loss, it is so hard to see someone struggle and lose the battle. Alcohol is so powerful for those of us who are alcoholics, it is amazing so many of us survive.
I, too, lost a dear friend from Alcohol when I was just 6 months sober, I found him really sick, when I went over to check on him, and he was so sick he agreed to go to the hospital, he became unconcious shortly afterward, and died three days later. I sat at the icu with him and would run to meetings, and then go back, I was doing three meetings a day just to survive. I remember a member coming up to me after one of the meetings where I had shared, and he told me that they would carry me thru this, just to keep coming back. It still brings tears to my eyes when I share that, AA was such a lifeline to me, and I am so greatful. It is such a horrible way to die, his liver had shut down, then his kidneys, watching that I asked my higher power to never let my kids see me that way. It was so hard on his kids, I would never want mine to go thru that. However hard that was to go thru, it was one of lifes lessons that I am greatful for, my friend will never realize how he helps me to stay sober. I still love him dearly and miss him. It was such a shame.
I just had an AA birthday, I am 7, without all of you in AA I would not be here sober, and as sane as I will ever get. Thank you for sharing, I will pray for you all.
I remember about five years ago before I would admit that I was an alcoholic, seeing a woman that I had known for a long time. She looked desperately ill and was using her husband's arm for support as she could barely walk. Her small son, aged about nine or ten, looked utterly unhappy and confused. They came into the restaurant were I was eating and she barely knew where she was.
I heard, about two weeks later, that she had died. I never knew that she was an alcoholic and my heart broke for her husband and her son.
But, this appalling disease that I have, ignored the plain truth that that could have been me. Right now, it is taking somebody else unnecessarily. I am just so truly grateful for AA and everybody that I have met in the fellowship.
With all best wishes,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Just wanted to add, I found out this morning her death was most likely suicide. She'd attempted it 4 other times....She finally succeeded.......So very sad.
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
