Christy C.'s Recovery Story

Research tells us that people who start drinking before age 15 are more likely to become alcoholics and less likely to seek recovery than those who start drinking later in life. Other studies have found that it is rare for someone under the age of 25 to seek treatment for alcohol problems. Therefore, without a doubt, Christy C. is one of the fortunate ones. Below is her personal story of recovery.

Christy C.'s Story

My name is Christy, I'm an alcoholic. I'm 26 years old. My sobriety date is July 20, 2006. It's hard for me to believe that I haven't had a drink or a drug since then.

I can remember like it was yesterday, when I couldn't even go an hour without a drink. I started drinking when I was 13 years old and believed that I had found the answers to all my feelings and problems. I thought I was going to drink and use for the rest of my life, that I would be a grandma sitting in my rocking chair on the front porch, drinking a 40-ounce and smoking a blunt. I really believed that.

My imagination got a reality check when the doctor told me I wouldn't live to see 30 if I didn't stop drinking. That was hard to believe, even though I threw up blood on occasion, threw up everyday, continued drinking immediately after throwing up, couldn't hold down food, and I was 100 pounds.

Health Problems From Alcohol

In May of 2006, I rushed to the emergency room because my hands, arms, feet and legs cramped so bad that I couldn't move them and my face was tingling. I was dehydrated and malnourished. My body was trying to tell me something and I was forced to listen.

I was diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis (2nd stage liver disease) and gastritis (inflammation of stomach lining). I thought I was too young to have health problems like that from alcohol. Only people who drank for 20-plus years had problems like that. Boy, was I wrong.

I Couldn't Stop On My Own

I drank for two more months despite the doctor's warnings. I felt that since I couldn't "see" my liver, it wasn't really damaged that bad. I signed up for rehab, they said I had to stop drinking for 10 consecutive days to get in. I couldn't do it. I couldn't stop on my own.

So I went to a seven-day detox to get into rehab. I drank several beers before I went to detox, and haven't found it necessary to take a drink since that day, July 19, 2006. My life has improved in ways that I never imagined possible.

My Sobriety Recipe

When I came to Alcoholics Anonymous, all I wanted was to not die and for the misery to stop. If I had made a list of what I wanted in life when I was getting sober -- I would have sold myself short.

Today I'm very active in AA. The sobriety recipe that works for me is to attend meetings almost everyday, have regular sponsor contact, apply the 12 steps in my life and I make the coffee at my home group. I'm starting a young people's meeting in my town, and I help take meetings into the juvenile and adult detention centers. I was told to chase my recovery the way I chased my addiction. If that's the case, I have a lot of work to do!

-- Christy C.

Many alcoholics who decide to stop drinking find, like Christy, that they need medical assistance to do so -- from their healthcare provider, a professional detoxification program and/or an inpatient alcohol and drug treatment program. Because withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, heavy or long-time drinkers should seek medical advice before quitting cold turkey.