Using Alcohol to Cope With PTSD – Del’s Naked Life
Del spent years as a Glasgow detective using alcohol to cope with PTSD. Limiting failed, and so did quitting, until he educated himself about alcohol....
Teresa’s Naked Life story is different from most. Rather than dabbling in drinking as a teen, her exposure didn’t come until she was in her 30s. Alcohol didn’t become problematic for her until a nearly tragic accident left her in constant pain that even the strongest medications could not relieve. She turned to alcohol instead and used it to numb everything. After two forays into in-patient rehab, she finally learned how to stop using alcohol for pain relief and found lasting freedom with This Naked Mind.
I was not raised around alcohol at all. My childhood took place in a very strict home where we were hardly allowed to watch TV. We didn’t go to movies, dances, or anything of that sort. As a result of this non-traditional upbringing, my exposure to alcohol was extremely limited. In fact, I never drank until I was in my 30’s – after I was married and had two kids.
My foray into drinking was for all the wrong reasons. I thought it looked like the people drinking were having a lot of fun that I wasn’t part of. When I got into the corporate world my introduction to drinking formally took place. I drank more to fit in. I was working in the medical field and was in a position where people were drinking together after work. Naturally, I wanted to be included especially since I was trying to work my way up. (Oh, what I wouldn’t give to go back and tell my old self to NOT do it. That fitting in wasn’t all it seemed to be).
In 2007, I had a major life accident. I was not expected to live and was hurt in every way possible. It took over 30 surgeries just to repair my body and broken bones. I quickly learned that alcohol made that pain go away. I was in the worst pain of my life and pain meds were just not working for me. Once I discovered that drinking would make that pain go away, I quit taking pain meds and took up drinking with a vengeance.
For years, I was still having surgeries to repair the broken bones (I broke my back, pelvis, wrist, shoulders, etc.) so drinking kept me from experiencing the excruciating pain. (I say excruciating because that is exactly what it was like).
After my accident, I started to have relationship problems, mostly due to my drinking. It had gotten so out of hand. I was starting to act like a horrible drunk person. My personality changed and I was spiraling.
It got so bad that my family took me to the hospital. I had been suicidal and needed help quickly. I went to inpatient rehab two times. The first time, I was better but not ok. Shortly after that stay, my husband got cancer and my son came out as Transgender. I didn’t know how to really react to these major life situations, so I started to drink again.
After a year of trying to quit on my own, and doing the 30-day experiment (half-assed) but failing, I went to inpatient rehab again. While there, they helped me with drinking but not my mental health. I was in a deep depression and bipolar disorder had set in. I came home but the problems were still there. Again, I started to drink and overdosed on meds. This time, I went to an inpatient psych facility that helped me get my medications right. After that stay, I was in such a better place.
I decided to do the 30-day Alcohol Experiment again, but wholeheartedly, and then the PATH. I was successful this time because I knew that drinking wasn’t the answer! There was nothing at the bottom of the bottle that was going to solve my problems.
With my pain now under control, the right way, and my relationship with my husband of 35 years on the mend I was now capable of living my life alcohol-free. I had read Annie’s books – both This Naked Mind and The Alcohol Experiment. They impacted my thinking so much.
Are you also self-medicating with alcohol and looking for a way to stop it? Download the first pages of This Naked Mind for free now!
I loved how Annie looked at the science behind drinking and that the drink was the problem. It never solved anything for me and in fact only made my life worse! I learned from the books how to reframe my thinking. It helped give me clarity that I had never had. I was finally living authentically, and my family and friends were noticing the difference.
While inpatient for the 1st time, one of the other inpatient people had the This Naked Mind book and told me about it. I borrowed it and read bits and pieces of it. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about the program. It took me some time before I actually joined any though.
Finally, I joined The Alcohol Experiment. Did the 30-day challenge and chatted with others on the program. The 1st time, I didn’t really try hard and didn’t give up drinking. The second time I decided to try it, I was all in. I wanted to change and knew that she had a solid plan. I had watched her on a podcast and knew that she had a lot to offer me.
Because I was not working any longer, I couldn’t afford to do the whole PATH program so I decided to do the accelerated one. I printed the whole thing out and did it every day. I did not really go online and meet others in my class (which looking back was a BIG mistake. Looking back, I should have gotten to know others in the same situation as me and built a community). After the program ended, I read both books (actually, listened to This Naked Mind on Audible).
As I said before, the reality check of what drinking was doing to my body and brain was just enough to help me realize that alcohol was not for me. It took me a few data points before I was able to stay sober.
Also, watching the video of Annie drinking really resonated with me. I thought I looked better with alcohol in me than without. That pre-gaming to stave off the anxiety of going to big events made me look better but watching Annie and how she talked and acted on that video hit home for me!!! I told my daughter-in-law about it. It’s crazy how I thought we looked so much better but oh how wrong I was!
Oh my, how different I am. I am no longer an angry drunk wife and mom. I am authentic and true to my word (unlike the drunk me who could not be trusted at all). Sadly, due to my drinking, damage to relationships was done but I have learned that I cannot change things out of my control. I only hope to gain the trust back, but it may or may not ever happen.
What I am truly excited about is giving back and helping others that need to know they are not alone on their journey. The road may not be easy, but it is possible to climb out of the dark trenches of addiction! I am living proof of that – just ask my family!! My relationship with my husband is so much better. We are so close and bonded like never before. He is my number one supporter.
What I am really excited about is becoming a coach through This Naked Mind Institute. I have big plans for how I can give back and make a change in others’ lives. Even though I know I have a lot to learn, I am on my way and ready to dive in to learn more about how I can pay it forward.
I have written a memoir that should come out sometime in 2024. It tells my story of my accident and how my addiction to alcohol and mental health led me to some pretty dark places. I also tell of discovering this program and how it helped me in ways that others could not. I am truly proud of where I am now and where I am headed. Hopefully, my book will fall into the hands of someone who needs it.
Do you have your own story of finding freedom from alcohol? Did you also stop using alcohol for pain relief or for any other reason with our books, the app, the podcasts, or another program? We want you to share your story here and inspire others on their journey!
