The Background

I have drunk alcohol all my adult life, and a few of my teenage years too! I was brought up in a family that regularly went to the pub and always had alcohol in the house, home made wines a speciality. I played rugby most of my life, a sport rather closely associated with "the third half" and I was at my best in this phase of the game. I have been a member of the Armed Forces for nearly 30 years and, after publicans and doctors (!!) we are well known for having a high percentage of people with alcohol related problems. You can add to that the background facts that my father (absent from very early in my life) and aunt both died horrible alcoholic deaths and my mother's death earlier this year was hastened by chronic smoking and alcohol related issues.

In that context it is perhaps no surprise that I developed a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. It has taken me over 30 years to admit it but now that I have, I intend to take back my life. I have not had a drink for a month. I am exercising daily. I am addressing a number of underlying "self worth" issues. I am repairing relationships with my loved ones (I nearly lost the girlfriend I adore over this). In short, I'm changing my life forever.

Over the next few posts I aim to flesh out the bones of the story as to why and how I got to my low point at the beginning of July. Subsequent posts will hopefully form a diary of success reinforcing success. I have a strong philosophical bent and will attempt to weave thoughts and feelings into the story. I hope the tale is not without humour.

More soon.