A Cry for Help: My Battle with Alcoholism in the Shadow of COVID-19

This was written a few months back when I felt hopeless against alcoholism.. I didn’t want to post it because I didn’t want to admit it was a problem.. now looking back I wish I would’ve shared earlier instead of suffering in silence, ignoring the problem that this disease was taking over my life and getting mad at anyone who told me what I knew was the truth but couldn’t admit aloud. Let’s reflect:

As I sit here, penning down my thoughts, I find myself enveloped in a cloud of despair and uncertainty. My name is Kayley and I am an alcoholic. But it wasn’t always like this. There was a time when I could enjoy a beer or two on special occasions, relishing the taste and the camaraderie it brought. However, the landscape of my relationship with alcohol changed drastically after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the midst of lockdowns and uncertainty, alcohol became my solace, my constant companion in an ever-changing world. What began as an occasional indulgence soon morphed into a daily ritual, a coping mechanism to navigate the challenges of life in the midst of a global crisis. But little did I realize that the very substance I turned to for comfort would soon become the source of my anguish.

The grip of alcoholism tightened its hold on me with each passing day, blurring the lines between want and need. What was once a choice became an obsession, a relentless craving that dictated my every action. I found myself reaching for that familiar bottle, not out of desire, but out of habit, a hollow attempt to fill the void within me.

But why? Why do we, as alcoholics, find ourselves trapped in this vicious cycle of addiction? The answers lie in the complex interplay of psychological, social, and biological factors. For some, alcohol serves as a means of escape, a temporary reprieve from the overwhelming thoughts and emotions that plague our minds. For others, it provides a sense of control in a world that seems chaotic and unpredictable.

Yet, beneath the surface lies a deeper truth – the insidious nature of alcoholism that preys on our vulnerabilities and exploits our weaknesses. It is a disease that knows no bounds, affecting individuals from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

As I reflect on my journey, I am overcome with a sense of loss and confusion. I yearn for the days when I could enjoy a beer without the weight of addiction looming over me. But the reality is stark – I am trapped in a cycle of dependency, unable to break free from its suffocating embrace.

And so, I find myself at a crossroads, torn between the desire to reclaim my life and the fear of facing the unknown without the crutch of alcohol. It is a daunting prospect, one that fills me with a sense of trepidation and uncertainty.

But amidst the darkness, there is a glimmer of hope – a beacon of light that shines through the shadows of despair. It is the knowledge that I am not alone, that there are others who have walked this path before me and emerged stronger on the other side.

I think of my fiance, who has been sober for four months and counting, a testament to the power of resilience and determination. His journey serves as a source of inspiration, a reminder that recovery is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

And so, as I take the first tentative steps towards sobriety, I cling to the hope that lies within me, a beacon of light in the darkness of addiction. It is a long and arduous journey, fraught with challenges and setbacks, but I am determined to persevere, to reclaim my life from the clutches of alcoholism.

To my fellow alcoholics, I say this – you are not alone. Reach out, seek help, and know that there is a community of support waiting to guide you on your journey to recovery. And to those who have yet to walk in our shoes, I urge you to approach addiction with compassion and understanding, for it is a battle fought not just in the depths of our minds, but in the hearts of those who love us.

Together, we can break the chains of alcoholism and reclaim our lives, one sober day at a time.