Parantumisia: Alkoholiriippuvuus
Healing from alcohol addiction
R. B. (46), Rotterdam (Netherlands)
I started to drink alcohol regularly at the age of 20. At the age of 30 I drank 11 to 12 half liter bottles of beer every single day and in the winter at work (at the harbor) I usually added a shot of alcohol to my coffee or tea. Since 1985 the problems I had - mood swings, depression, aggressiveness, nervousness “ increased tremendously. Sometimes I didn't have any concept of time. Because of all those problems my wife moved out of the house with our children.
Healing from alcohol addiction
A. v. R. (64), Rotterdam (Netherlands)
I drank one or two beers occasionally to relax in the evening. Due to hopeless circumstances in my life, the amount of alcohol increased over the years. As of summer 1998 I sometimes drank 30 to 40 glasses of beer daily. In 1982 I lost my job and, therefore, my colleagues and received an invalid pension. Separation from my wife and children followed, whom I was not allowed to see for over 20 years. I felt powerless and very sad. So I began to guzzle. I could not call it drinking any more.
Healing from alcohol addiction
R. S. (59), Bremen (Germany)
I started drinking alcohol when I was 16 years of age. For example, I drank 21 glasses of schnapps at an engagement party. After that I didn’t notice anything anymore. I also drank at social events such as fairs or gun club events, but above all at home-sweet wine or beer, for example. During my tour in the army 1963-66, I would drink a bottle of vermouth in particular on weekends. I drank especially heavily and continually during my 30 active years in merchant shipping. I started at 24 on a deep-sea fishing steamer and ended at 53 in April 1996 on a container ship.
Healing from alcohol and drug addiction and duodenal ulcers
S. T. (53), Springe (Germany)
After my sister's death in 1974, I had serious stomach aches with ulcers. I got tablets and injections against the severe pain. As no improvement occurred, gastric examinations were made in regular intervals. The diagnosis was chronic stomach and duodenal ulcer. I should learn to live with recurrent ulcers. After 20 years of pain (1994) I was totally down and had no more hope. I pepped myself up with alcohol. At first it was wine, later schnapps and finally I drank up to 2/3 quart daily. With the daily alcohol consumption I became unreliable and lost my job. Additionally I took lots of painkillers and tranquilizers, among others Valium.
Healing from abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs
E. S. (48), Bremerhaven (Germany)
I was a single mother employed in a difficult job, and as a result of personal problems drank alcohol regularly since I was 27 years old (1981). I took tranquilizers and sleeping tablets daily, in double the prescribed dose. I tried several times to withdraw at home, but inevitably found that after two or three months I ended up in relapse. During these periods I used to consume one to two bottles of vodka a day over a period of two or three weeks. Normally I was fearful and depressive, but when I drank I became aggressive. I had very disturbed sleep.
