Genezingen van alcoholverslaving
Healing from nicotine and alcohol addiction
J. B. (59), Bielefeld (Germany)
I smoked for approximately 33 years and at the end I smoked about 60 cigarettes a day. During the night my coughing interrupted my sleep and I became nervous and irritable. I became short of breath whenever I was under physical strain. Whenever I climbed the stairs, I had to take a break after every 10 steps.
I started to drink alcohol regularly at the age of 19, about two to three times a week. Throughout the years I gradually drank more. At the end I drank one bottle of wine or a half to one bottle of brandy every single evening. I was afraid that somebody would notice that and so I drank mostly from Friday to Sunday. In the last 5 years I had tried to quit drinking several times. But after six or seven days I began to drink again.
Healing from alcohol addiction
U. H. (33), Freising (Germany)
I drank alcohol regularly since I was 17 years old, mostly beer, generally to the point when I just couldn't drink any more. I started drinking in the morning. As I had stopped my apprenticeship and often was without a job for longer periods, my debts grew due to the alcohol consumption. Drinking made me aggressive and I had partnership problems. When I did find a job again I even drank some beer there and at home continued with up to one bottle of wine a day with some glasses of schnapps in between.
Healing from alcohol addiction of many years duration
P. B. (66), Split (Croatia)
I began to drink alcohol at the age of 17. In the course of the last two decades I gradually drank more and finally drank about two liters of alcohol (Slivovitz and brandy) a day. In 1991, at the age of 60, I stopped drinking for two years because of bleeding peptic ulcers. But after that time I continued drinking despite all those warnings: 3 glasses of Slivovitz and brandy, five bottles of beer and 2 liters of wine. I just couldn't stop it.
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.
