30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 10
[Mike]
Booze! The Solution to Stress!
Pretty dumb right? Depends on who you ask. That is to the extent of a lot of peoples coping skills it seems. The question for today is: What are your views on drugs and alcohol?
Of course, since I've never tried any booze or drugs ever, I won't even be able to finish that sentence I sound so full of shit.
Nah, lord knows we partied, drank, all that jazz. I've mentioned it on this blog once or twice. Despite it all, I'm not here to say that all drugs and booze are bad. If you can enjoy sensibility, that's your prerogative. I've had some great times, and some made great (hazy) memories. It's a certain part of growing up and of human experience.
However, I see stories all the time of people dying of pills, and booze or whatever. Everyone knows, or knows of an alcoholic or user. (Maybe you) Sometimes maybe they partied too much and fell into it and couldn't stop. Drugs and alcohol usually have a party scene attached with them. I think the party aspect makes it seem extra selfish a little egotistical. That is what it seems like outwardly, but sometimes the person is self-medicating sadness, stress or depression.
That was my deal. I can't be the only one who thought the party aspect gave getting blotto a sexier spin on anxiety and depression rather than not going anywhere, or being externally nervous, or sad. I think a lot of folks are treating their stress or sadness. Same with over eating, or shopping; whatever. It all has forgetting about the past, or treating the present in common.
The "treatment" starts to lose effect. It takes more and more of it just to feel "right." The thought of stopping is scary. Actually going through with it is not fun. After that ordeal, you find yourself with all the same stressors and even less emotional maturity than when you started. Not only that, but you have so much clean up to do to straighten out your life. It gets overwhelming, and it's easy to slip back into it due to this.
It's not impossible to do though. I can't stand that commercial for some rehab finder helpline. You know, with that geek in scrubs with a beard and glasses who points to the camera and says "you can't do it alone!" (Jackhole) That guy's a tool, but he's kind of right. You have to learn to deal with things past present and future. You have to get therapy or meds or both and go as long as you need to. Otherwise, life is just ups and downs of stopping and living in want of your vice, and failing with tragic results at worst and more of the same at best.
If you or someone you know has substance issues, anxiety depression or all, it's probably hard to talk about it for both parties. There is a great site to check out.
Here you will find friendly, useful tips on how to talk about mental issues for both the person affected and their families and friends. They also have links to other resources to break the stigma and help people out.
The other thing good for anyone feeling discontent or wanting more is to make a list. Bear with me. List the things that make you happy, a bunch of things. Look for patterns and if there is a way you can make a job or hobby of it. Do this even if you're too busy for that now or whatever the hang up is. These are the things that make YOU happy. If you have a few choices, keep eliminating until you find the one or two you just can't cross out. What are a few small things you can do to make this happen? Doing little things along side your current life can still make big things happen quicker than you think.
The beauty in life is in every moment not just weekends or happy hour. We were meant to work hard. But no one said you had to be miserable just to eat. These things seem simple to me now, but are really hard to see with tunnel vision or self-doubt.
Who am I to tell you how to live your life? No one. I'm nobody. I just want to tell everyone it's possible. Maybe if I say something, it will help someone, you never know. Maybe they won't have to hit rock bottom to find the will to change things. Thank you and take care.
-Mike Olguin
[Crystal]
"What is your opinion on drugs and alcohol?"
Whoa - a heavy topic on a sensitive issue, currently affecting our lives. As you know from our past blog posts, we were a part of the "party scene" just over a year or two ago. Losing my dad from the life long effects of alcoholism has definitely changed all of that.
In October of 2015, I watched my father turn a jaundiced yellow, check into the hospital and fight his last fight for 12 days there as each of his organs decided to fail, starting with the liver.
After a trip (or two) to the hospital for Mike right after, we actually wised up about our own health, our shallow level of consciousness, and our progression in life thus far and have become sober together for the first time in years. We were lost in a haze of parties, drinking to cheer up and fight our problems by drowning them away in a bar or at home. It seemed like alcohol was everywhere we went and we were constantly surrounded.
We had tried before to "stay on the wagon", but before you'd know it, a Company Dinner, a tropical vacation, a Dodger Game, a party or a bad day would come up and we'd be back on the sauce again. But this time was/is different. We are both in it together. So slowly we've beaten this demon and we feel it's behind us now. There is nowhere to look but forward! We are getting our lives back in order one step at a time. Cleaning up the backyard, becoming more dedicated to work, talking/communicating better to one another more, getting better at photography and graphic design, beginning this blog, and focusing on what is truly important in life.
Your health is your wealth and we have truly seen the light. If you or a friend need help, please reach out. It's almost impossible to do it alone. We're here for you, just like so many other organizations including AA, makeitok.org, and Allanon.
Hang in there folks,
-Crystal Olguin
August 9, 2017
