I Am Not an Alcoholic: ‘You haven’t had a drink in 11 months. Go on, you deserve it’

Life’s Challenges and the Journey to Sobriety

Introduction

When I wrote last month about life shooting arrows, I had never heard of Pema Chodron (American Buddhist nun). I only heard of her the day after I filed my article. She writes about turning arrows into flowers:

If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be much better to turn your attention to the fact that there’s an arrow in your heart …

Was this synchronicity?

The Journey to Sobriety

Life is not always going to go the way we had planned and if we can accept this fact then maybe we can handle the suffering when it comes. I have learned not to fight the times when an overbearing urge to take a drink hits me; not to question why can’t I have a drink, not to feel sorry for myself, but to acknowledge that it is real but that it will pass.

Am I turning the arrow into a flower?

On a recent outing to the theatre the usher told us, “the bar is over there” as we walked in the door. Oh, really! Did they think we might miss it? It only took up the space of an entire wall. I have never walked into a theatre in France and been told “the bar is over there”.

Then to add petrol to the fire, it was announced over the tannoy that drinks could be taken into the auditorium as long as they were in plastic cups. I’m going to sound crotchety now, but that shouldn’t be allowed. Even when I was drinking, I didn’t like that drinks were allowed into the auditorium – that’s what intervals are for.

But the worse part of the evening was when we were leaving. The foyer was crowded with people drinking and discussing the play and my eyes caught a couple holding glasses of red wine. I had to stop myself from snatching one of those glasses out of their hands. It seemed crazy that I couldn’t have a glass of wine like most normal people.

We think if we find happiness, we will find gratitude. It is the other way round. But sometimes it can be impossible to feel grateful

But I can’t. Almost 11 months sober and the struggle is still there. It was a frightening moment and I thought I was going to lose my sobriety. I just sat with the feelings until they eventually went away.

So hard.

When I opened my laptop the next morning, Rob Lowe sprang up. He had just announced he was celebrating 33 years of sobriety. But the sentence I honed in on was that he said it is a constant battle. Even after 33 years? Honestly, it gave me hope. That might sound like an oxymoron. Happy that after 33 years I’ll still have cravings for a drink? But as there is no cure for alcohol dependency, I must be prepared that at no time can I claim: “I’m cured. I can drink safely.”

That would be the start of the downward spiral. So, to hear someone, sober for 33 years, say it’s a constant battle means that there is nothing wrong with me because I still, months after not drinking, crave a drink at certain times. How foolish I was thinking if I stopped drinking for three months, I would be cured.

The Constant Battle

There is a difference between wanting a glass of wine and the over-whelming urge to have one. Sitting around a table with friends enjoying myself, I can accept that I can’t have a glass of wine. It takes a little effort, but it can be done.

The situation I mentioned above, was the latter and thankfully they occur less frequently, but they are threatening. Often these over-whelming urges come when I’m already tired, stressed or sometimes just hungry but not always. They can occur anytime which means I have to be constantly on my guard. The voice in my head is loud and repetitive: “It’s just one drink. You’ll be fine. You haven’t had a drink in 11 months. Go on, you deserve it.”

I questioned that voice. “You deserve it?”

What?

To wake up one morning with horrible physical symptoms not to mention the mental anguish which, unlike the physical symptoms, would not be gone by lunchtime. Is that really what I deserve?

The reason I haven’t had a drink in 11 months is because I went into rehab and worked hard on my sobriety. Am I going to throw it all away for one drink? Luckily, there is another voice in my head saying: “There is no such thing as one drink with me. If I take one drink, I will want the bottle, one drink will not be enough. When was it ever?”

It can be confusing having two arguments going on in my head and so far, the right one has triumphed but I can’t presume that this will always be the case.

The Journey to Happiness

People who chose not to drink for reasons other than a dependency, never have to think about alcohol. It just doesn’t enter into their lives. Like those people I too, have chosen not to drink, but, unlike them, I have to think about alcohol and be on my guard. Alcohol will always be a part of my life whether I like it or not.

I would like to be open about my dependency on alcohol and not keep it a secret but our society is such that I would make people uncomfortable

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the author’s struggle with alcohol dependency and the challenges they face in maintaining sobriety. This connects to SDG 3, which focuses on promoting good health and well-being. Additionally, the mention of rain filling reservoirs and the importance of running water in homes relates to SDG 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all. The author also mentions societal discomfort and the need to keep their alcohol dependency a secret, highlighting issues of stigma and inequality (SDG 10). Finally, the article touches on the need for awareness and support systems to overcome addiction, which aligns with SDG 16’s goal of promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

The article highlights the need for prevention and treatment of substance abuse, specifically alcohol dependency (Target 3.5). It also indirectly emphasizes the importance of access to safe drinking water (Target 6.1) and the need to address societal discomfort and inequality related to alcohol dependency (Target 10.2). Furthermore, the article suggests the importance of support systems and institutions in overcoming addiction, aligning with the target of promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice (Target 16.3).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders
• Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, disaggregated by age, sex, and persons with disabilities
• Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, relevant indicators can be used to measure progress. These indicators include measuring the coverage of treatment interventions for substance use disorders (Indicator 3.5.1), assessing the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services (Indicator 6.1.1), tracking the proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income (Indicator 10.2.1), and evaluating the proportion of victims of violence who report their victimization to competent authorities (Indicator 16.3.1).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: irishtimes.com

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