Barry used to brag to his pals how he could maintain a challenging and fulltime job and get smashed nearly every night. Regrettably, after involving himself in this “party” lifestyle for just about two-and-a-half years, he started to observe numerous alcohol related difficulties.

Barry Starts to Exhibit Different Alcohol Related Difficulties

For example, he had a very difficult time getting up for work because he felt so worn-out when he awoke. Furthermore, almost every morning Barry suffered from a dreadful hangover. Undoubtedly, the mixture of his lack of energy and his hangovers did not make it easy for him to get up and feel energized to go to work. To make things worse, he just got his second driving under the influence citation in the past year-and-a-half.

To further complicate things, at his place of employment his last two work appraisals were less than acceptable. And finally, his two-and-a-half-year relationship with his girlfriend had deteriorated due to his angry outbursts, financial difficulties, depression, and his lack of patience.

Though Barry was only twenty-three years old, he frankly began looking like he was in his late thirties. Unfortunately, this is what hazardous and irresponsible drinking can do to an individual. And in truth he understood that he was suffering from the adverse consequences of alcohol dependency or alcohol abuse and that he was too young to fritter away his life to abusive and excessive drinking. So at first he tried to drink in moderation. Sadly, he soon realized that he lost all control after having his first drink. Stated somewhat more forcefully, after his first drink he invariably proceeded to get drunk. Since this was an incident that was repeated every single time he drank, this worried him greatly. In truth, he began to wonder if he was displaying some of the signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Barry Makes up His Mind To Schedule an Appointment to See His Family Doctor

After discussing his excessive alcohol drinking and his excessive and hazardous drinking with his girlfriend, he finally decided to make an appointment to see his healthcare practitioner. When Barry saw his healthcare practitioner, he openly declared that he has been drinking in an abusive manner, that he may be manifesting alcoholic signs, and that he wants to abstain from drinking. He then mentioned that drinking in moderation doesn’t work for him and, consequently, he wants to learn how he can create an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Barry also told his healthcare professional about his depression and how this mental health problem was adversely affecting his relationship with his lady friend. His physician referred Barry to Doctor Mille, an alcohol and drug addiction specialist, who persuaded Barry to enter into a drug and alcohol treatment facility as an in-patient for alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehab. Fortunately, Barry would also be able to get medical treatment for his depression at this treatment center.

Abstaining From Drinking Was the Best Decision Barry Had Ever Made

After four months of intensive treatment intensive rehabilitation, Barry left the in-patient rehab clinic and continued his recovery via outpatient therapy and via going to local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Encouraged to change his life in a more productive manner, Barry went to a health store and bought some vitamins and a cookbook. He then joined a fitness center and began working out two or three times per week. Within five months Barry was a new individual. He now looked younger than he was, he wasn’t depressed anymore, he was in shape, he was eating nutritious meals, and most important of all, he remained sober for several months. He also became more patient, he didn’t resort to angry outbursts, and he became a more caring individual in his relationship with his girlfriend. Stated briefly, getting and staying sober was the best decision Barry had ever made.

Shelly was known at work as an extremely conservative person who had a very good work record. She in no way went to any of the happy hours right after work and it was recognized through the company that she was a deeply spiritual person who normally talked about the potential issues regarding alcohol abuse and dependency on alcohol in our country.

Try to think of the shock in the office when one Monday morning Shelly didn’t show up for work and nobody had heard from her. In fact, it wasn’t until close to 9:15 in the morning that the human resources department received a phone call about Shelly from the the jail downtown.

Shelly Goes Out Partying With a Few of Her College Buddies

Apparently, Shelly went out drinking together with a handful of her college house mates Saturday night and at some point around 2:15 Sunday morning, Shelly was arrested for “driving under the influence”. Considering that her blood alcohol content level was quite elevated, she had to spend one day in the downtown jail.

Shelly Has a Talk With Her Manager and The Human Resources Manager

When Shelly came to work on Tuesday morning, she promptly shared with her manager what had occurred and she asked if she could go and talk with the Human Resources manager about her “driving under the influence” arrest.

When she got to the HR department and met with the manager, she articulated that she had not been drunk since her college days and that she was really humiliated about her “drunk driving” arrest. She also articulated the point that she required some assistance selecting an experienced and successful DWI attorney who would represent her DUI case. In other words, Shelly really wanted the Human Resources director to agree that she needed to see a DUI lawyer.

The Human Resources manager told Shelly that she ought to see somebody in the company employee’s assistance program to go over any probable drinking problem that she might have. The HR director also mentioned that she needs to discuss her desire to employ a “driving while intoxicated” lawyer to represent her concerning her “driving under the influence” case.

Furthermore, the Human Resources manager told Shelly that it was a good thing that she wanted to hire a “driving under the influence” lawyer because of the complexities and serious implications which are associated with a “drunk driving” conviction.

The Human Resources manager could tell that Shelly was apparently disappointed and embarrassed by this whole scenario. Consequently, he told Shelly that while he doesn’t feel that conscientious men and women should ever get behind the wheel right after drinking, regrettably these circumstances at times transpire to exceptionally good people.

The Human Resources director then stated that because such a circumstance cannot be undone, what is crucial is what the person does from this moment in time forward. As stated by the Human Resources manager, “does the person learn from his or her errors or does she or he develop a pattern of alcohol related issues that cause the person long-term suffering and pain”?

Fortunately, Shelly Did Not Have a History of Excessive and Irresponsible Drinking

Just before finishing their discussion, the Human Resources manager informed Shelly that it was quite positive that she doesn’t have a track record of careless and irresponsible drinking. Furthermore, she hasn’t had an alcohol-related issue since her university days (which was just about 8 years ago). As a consequence, Shelly ought to be in a position to face her “drunk driving” arrest with embarrassment but also with a belief that she will encounter and work through this situation and turn out to be an even better individual in the near future.

Shelly thanked the Human Resources manager for his practical and encouraging thoughts and then walked over towards the company employee’s assistance program go over her DWI arrest, her participation in excessive and irresponsible drinking over the past weekend, and her desire to hire a DUI lawyer to represent her DUI case.

After reflecting on Shelly’s “story,” the nurse that was part of the company employee’s assistance program articulated Shelly’s immediate “action plan” that she needed to address and follow. First, she would be required to take a DUI class to learn more DUI facts and information. Second, she would also be required to take an alcohol abuse class to address her possible problem drinking. And finally, it would be a particularily wise thing to do if she were to meet with a DUI lawyer about her DUI arrest.

Shelly Feels Comfort Knowing That She Will Learn From Her Slip-Up and Turn Out To Be More Responsible

It was very clear that Shelly was particularly disrupted with the whole DUI situation, but right after talking to the Human Resources manager and to the nurse inside the company employee’s assistance program, she felt a sense of relief knowing that she would in actual fact learn from her mistake and become even more healthy and balanced, even more accountable, and an even more grateful individual.