VIDEO LINK

I was raised in an alcoholic household where my father was a functioning alcoholic. We're a "Boston Irish" family, and alcohol was all over the neighborhood. I started drinking when I was twelve because it seemed a natural thing to do. I was a successful student and athlete, but drinking was a significant part of my life throughout high school.

Adulthood didn't change my habit, and drinking remained a daily activity. My drinking could be pretty dramatic. I would end up in the emergency room with nearly fatal blood alcohol levels. I suffered from blackouts and loss of all bodily functions. I would go for days not knowing where I was. I had a lot of denial about my drinking. I was convinced I didn't have a problem. In fact, I believed drinking alcohol on a daily basis was normal.

Even though I was working and was able to provide my family with a beautiful home, my drinking was negatively affecting my marriage. My wife tolerated my drinking early on, but by my late 30s she divorced me.

I didn't realize I really had a problem with alcohol until after my divorce. In an effort to reclaim my life, I tried three different hospital treatment programs with results ranging from six months to a year of sobriety. I'd also follow a routine of support meetings for periods of time. Then my life would get busy, and I would eventually give in to the forces that led me to drink. This sober-binging pattern continued for years.

Finding PROMETA

During my last binging episode, I checked into a motel room and did nothing but drink. There was no way I could work, which prompted my employer to intervene. He told me about a new treatment called PROMETA®, and was adamant about me trying it.

I participated in the PROMETA Treatment Program, and specifically remember becoming very calm, physically and mentally. This was really noticeable, as I was usually pretty scattered and jittery. I went back to work shortly after treatment, and continued the healing and recovery process.

Before being treated with PROMETA, anger, frustration, and stress were triggers for me to start drinking. I've identified these as something I always need to be conscious of. Even though I've been under these conditions since my treatment, my need to drink has not resurfaced. I can now face these situations without any fear.

I would never identify any one aspect of recovery as a "cure-all." The aftercare I've gotten since PROMETA has been important because of the disease's complexity. It's an ongoing process, and nothing is going to eliminate the necessity of continuing a lifestyle of support and understanding. Today my attitude and general sense of well being are considerably better. I'm feeling healthier — emotionally and mentally.

You can't go through life saying, "I can't help it. I was born this way." That's just an excuse to put off the inevitable. The best advice I can give for someone like me is to not wait another day to get help!

Terrence