“Carrying the Message”

Hi group, my name is Rick and I am a REAL alcoholic. Karen, I am sorry to hear about the death of your son. That really sucks. I'm hoping to shift gears a bit and talk about this past weekend and how the promises are starting to come true in my life.

I just returned from a trip up north and I got to spend some time with my brother, his wife, and three kids. This is the same brother that I had stolen a checkbook from and forged about $7,000 in bad checks last year. I am now paying him $5 a month to make things right.

I overheard his wife, Shelly, telling my brother that it was almost time to have "the talk" with their oldest son, Greg, who is now 11 years old. My sister-in-law had read that many children begin experimenting with alcohol and drugs at about the age of 12. I realized that God had put me in a place to be of benefit to others. I insisted that I have some alone time with my nephew so that I could share my experience, strength and hope.

At first they acted like they didn't want to bother me but I knew they wanted some help from Uncle Rick. I insisted that they give me the chance to talk with Greg and finally my brother realized that this was a good idea. Shelly actually got angry at my brother for allowing me to speak with Greg. This didn't surprise me, Shelly is one of them "earth people" and she doesn't know what it's like to have the disease of alcoholism rip your family apart. I told Shelly that I wasn't going to stand by and watch another family member get struck down by this disease.

I sat down with Greg and began by telling him I was an alcoholic and a drug addict. He looked uncomfortable. I then told him how I remember drinking and smoking pot in Middle School, and how it made me one of the most popular kids and how I finally was able to talk with girls. I told him that I wish I could still smoke pot, just pot, and that I really missed smoking pot everyday. Like getting all stoned with my friends and eating at Denny's.

I then switched gears and told him how the disease progressed for me but that some of my friends still smoke pot and have great jobs, relationships, and enjoy a full life. I told Greg about being drunk and snorting my first line of cocaine in High School. I explained that this is when shit got out of hand.

I though it was important to tell Greg where the disease had taken me. I described to him in great detail how I lost everything and how two years ago I was forced to kiss other men in their bathing suit area to get money for drugs. He looked terrified, but I could tell by the tears in his eyes that he was getting the message. After I was done I shook his hand and told him I loved him.

I have yet to hear back from my brother and sister in law but I'm sure they are grateful for me sharing my experience. I hope Greg will think twice about picking up that first drink but I realize that I am powerless over this. This program is amazing, it works - it really does! Thanks for letting me share.