The Gift...That Keeps on Giving Alcoholism

Mr. Evans Speaks Out About Alcoholism:. I Chose The Title ‘The Gift…That Keeps On Giving’ To Illuminate That ‘Once An Alcoholic Always An Alcoholic’.. That Does Not Mean One Must Die A Drunk! It Simply Stresses That Alcoholism Like Diabetes Is A Lifetime Disease.And Like Diabetes With Proper Care Diet And Exercise…And Abstaining From Alcohol Alcoholism Can Be Controlled.. From Around Age 18 To 49 I Suffered From The Disease Of Alcoholism. A Good Portion Of Those Years I Was Not Aware Of My Disease. I Could Not Link My Troubles Loss Of Family Homes And Jobs And Overall Misery To Alcohol.. In The Last 8 Of Those Years I (And Others) Just Wrote Me Off As A Hopeless Misfit.I Was Homeless Unemployable And A Sad Example Of Human Existence.. December First 1983 I Had My Last Drink Of Alcohol Checked Myself In At A Detox Center In Orlando Fl. I Have Not Had A Drink Of Alcohol Since. At First My Recovery Process Was Not A Pleasant One But It Was Worth The Misery Of Withdrawing From The Demon Alcohol.. I Attended Alcoholics Anonymous Regularly Listened And Absorbed Other’S Experience Strength And Hope.. I Became Teachable And Returned To A Beautiful Life. After Getting Re-Married I Became Employable And Started My Own Business. I Taught Myself Art Painting Over 500 Pieces Of Oil Paintings.. Attending The Gym Regularly Has Not Just Been Healthful It Has Been A Tremendous Joy Working Out Meeting People And Socializing.. I Am Retired Now Living A Beautiful Life With My Wife Of 33 Years And 36 Years Sobriety And At Age 86 Am Fit As A Fiddle. I Do Have Diabetes High Blood Pressure And A Few Other Ailments However With Diet Exercise And Following My Doctor’S Advice (And Not Drinking Alcohol Or Smoking) I Am Very Active And Happy.. Should I Never Have Admitted I Needed Help And Joined Alcoholics Anonymous I Would Not Have Re-Learned Honorable Living And Not Have Continued Serenity… Is Why I Consider My Alcoholism ‘The Gift That Keeps On Giving.’