Work was becoming too frenzied for a young police officer named Gary. Although he had only been on the police force for three years, he was already known as a hard worker who almost never declined working overtime. As a matter of fact, he was now working fifteen to twenty hours of overtime each week and, as a result, he felt like he was losing his grip on his personal life. What made the circumstances more complicated, nevertheless, was the fact that Gary began going out drinking with a group of fellow officers after work.
What Began as Fun Soon Became Abusive and Excessive Drinking
What began as a good time soon turned into hazardous and careless drinking and then into a negative cycle of feeling tired every morning when he got up for work, working more long hours, and then going drinking with his friends after work.
Noticeably Gary was in a rut and going through some adverse alcohol effects on the body. Where Gary really observed alcohol related problems and alcohol short term effects, however, was in his marriage and in his family life. His wife wasn’t really a nag, but she regularly asked him to stay at home more with her and with the children instead of going out and blowing all of his money while drinking with his pals.
Gary’s Excessive and Abusive Drinking Adversely Affects His Personality
In a similar way, Gary’s hazardous and irresponsible drinking also adversely affected his personality. More to the point, the more he drank, the less patience he had with any problems or issues that came up regarding his children or his wife.
It Was Apparent to Gary That His Irresponsible and Careless Drinking Was Adversely Affecting His Health, Pocketbook, Relationship With His Family, and His Work
In his heart of hearts, it was apparent to Gary that his abusive drinking was adversely affecting his relationship with his family, health, pocketbook, and his work. So one Friday afternoon Gary came to a decision to talk to Jerry, a trusted old police officer friend that he greatly respected.
Gary told Jerry how irresponsible and excessive drinking was negatively affecting his health, pocketbook, relationship with his family, and his work. Jerry mentioned to Gary that he really understood because roughly seven years ago, he too got involved in abusive and irresponsible drinking. Indeed, Jerry mentioned to Gary that hazardous and abusive drinking can cause so many difficulties in an individual’s life that just about everything of significance can be ruined. And lastly, Jerry recommended that Gary make an appointment with an alcohol counselor at the work-affiliated substance abuse rehab facility.
Due to the fact that his employee’s assistance program was affiliated with this rehab facility, it was not only quite convenient but also very affordable to obtain treatment about his abusive and hazardous drinking. And due to the fact that the personnel at the drug and alcohol treatment center was supportive, non-judgmental, and competent, Gary would be able to get alcohol rehabilitation that was doable and something he could follow through on.
After talking to his counselor about how his drinking was ruining his relationship with his family, health, pocketbook, and his work, Gary comprehended the fact that he was burning the candle at both ends with his extreme work hours and his abusive and hazardous drinking. Once he understood that he was getting himself into a rut, with the assistance his counselor, and after thirteen weeks in rehabilitation, he was at long last able to quit drinking and stop working overtime.
Due to His Alcohol Treatment Gary Felt Better and More Healthy
The result was that Gary viewed life differently now that he was in alcohol recovery. To be more specific, due to his alcohol therapy he not only had more quality time to spend with his family, but he felt better and more healthy, he actually had more money now even though he was working far fewer hours each week, and he was more patient when interacting with his wife and his children. Strangely enough, now that he quit drinking, Gary and his wife were not only beginning to save some money for a different house but he also felt more energized and alert than anytime since he and his wife were married.