Alcohol — Drinking Part 4

Chelsea describes growing up with an addiction in her family, her mom struggled with alcoholism. Her mom went to rehabilitation, they have done family counseling. Her mom is doing better now. Chelsea feels like this was a reason she was attracted as a provider to work at an FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) where she dealt with addictions, mostly opiate crisis she adds. Growing up with a mom who was addicted to alcohol was a heavy experience. It changed her worldview; she did not fully realize the effects until she was older. She has a hard time finding words to describe the experience. She wanted to help people because of what her mom went through. She became a provider. It was a shameful and isolating experience for her, she did not talk to her friends about it. She did not have any resources and when she went to her high school counselor to talk about it, they did not have anything helpful for her.

She describes the counselors as fish out of water. Now as a provider she knows that there are resources like Al-Anon, but she felt it was very taboo for some reason when she grew up. She felt like growing up with an alcoholic parent was a huge effect on her, she had to grow up faster, worried about her parent if they went to counseling for example. She kind of had to take on a partial parenting role for her mother. Her mom has been sober and doing good, but she has slip-ups every once and a while, and then she has to re-focus. Chelsea thinks her mother turned to drink to cope with stress, she was not in a good relationship. She got divorced and got a better support system, which put a positive influence on her life. This helped her to stay sober.

Era tells me a story of coming home one night from work around 1230 and seeing a commotion in her basement. Two kids were there who were drunk. The boys were about 15–16 years old. Her son was playing nurse, he was trying to give them water. Era was trying to get the parent’s number because what if something happens to the kids, she would be responsible. She checked vitals on the kids it was normal. She was thinking to call 911 but her son did not want her to do so. They pushed water for them. They were ok the next morning but it was very scary for her. Era was drinking some wine back then to help her go to sleep after she come home from work but had no other alcohol at the house. She thinks the boys brought alcohol from somewhere else. She experienced feelings from alcohol like walking on clouds. She was using wine as a sleep aid for 2–3 years. She stopped drinking wine for sleep when her schedule changed, and she got home earlier. She drinks wine now with meals sometimes, which she describes as a cultural thing in Europe. She feels that people might be drinking wine to go to sleep then wake up and drink more to fall back asleep and become addicted. One-time Era and a few friends went to a place after work and had some wine and chips with cheese, it was nice. She was joking with the others about what would happen if the police would stop her on her way home. That night it happened. The police did stop her. She spent maybe 2 hours with friends. Then she headed home. She likes the back roads. She describes seeing the sewer tops in the middle of the road, she does not like to go on top of them, so she went around it. Police thought that she was drunk and swirling on the road. She was in uniform from work working on an addiction unit. The police officer told her: “Ma’am, where you have been?” she told him, he asked if she had a drink she said yes, he asked how much she told him 2 glasses of wine. He did the breathalyzer on her, but it showed a low alcohol content. The police officer still did not feel comfortable with Era driving so decided to take her home. Era never explained to the officer what happened. Why she was driving the way she did. She had to wake up her son said sorry son we have to go get my car. It was funny, but not at the same time. She always just tried not to damage the sewer tops for the city. She was ashamed regardless. The police officer was a very nice young man, and he took time to make sure Era was safe.

Thank you for Reading,

Gabriella

This book is dedicated to the memory of

Bagóczky József my uncle who died at age 19 — alcohol related car accident

and to everyone else who has been hurt or lost related to addiction

Many people had been supportive and inspiring to me so I could create this book. Both of my wonderful children told me, just write that book mom. My mom. I could have not done this without all the stories provided and the encouragement love and caring from my family and friends, nurses, doctors, counselors, teachers, professors, friends who are dealing with addiction and staying sober; and children, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers of people who are dealing with addiction currently. Thank you for speaking up, sharing your stories and life experiences. Thank you for all the people who read this book while in progress to provide feedback, ideas and encouragement for me to continue writing. I would like to say special thanks to my friends and family for believing me and encouraging me to go on.

Front cover acrylic painting created by Andrea Mihaly October 2019

Our Society: Addiction and More Uncovered. Hear the voices of everyday people — collection of stories and experiences.

Copyright @ 2020. 1st addition on Amazon KDP. 2nd addition Jan 2021 Barnes & Noble. By Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi. All rights reserved. Dancing Elephants Press.