Struggles with Smoking, Drinking and Drugs: Personal Reflections and Journey to Wellness

Often viewed as indulgences or vices, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and abusing drugs can significantly impact one's health and well-being. In this personal reflection, we'll explore the author's journey through these behaviors and how they found their path to wellness.

Handling Indulgences: A Personal Account

The author reflects on their past indulgences, detailing their preference for cigarillos and occasional wine or cognac over traditional cigarettes. They also mention trying clove cigarettes back in high school and briefly touching on their relationship with alcohol, including a life-threatening incident of alcohol poisoning.

Like many, the author admits to using these substances as coping mechanisms, particularly during periods of emotional distress and daily stress. However, health concerns played a significant role in determining their decisions to quit smoking and drinking.

Quitting Smoking: A Resolve and a New Life

The author expresses a strong aversion to cigarettes, especially after experiencing severe physical discomfort. They recount their initial experience with taking a puff of a babysitter's cigarette at the age of five and their subsequent resolution never to repeat it. This experience served as a catalyst for a lifetime of non-smoking habits.

In more recent years, the author acknowledges occasional alcohol consumption, but stresses the significance of moderation due to past health scares. They highlight the pivotal moments that led to the decision to quit smoking and drinking, centered on concerns for their health and the well-being of their family members.

Alcohol and Health Concerns: A Path to Recovery

Alcohol use has been a part of the author's past, often linked to emotional support and stress relief. However, health concerns such as severe throat and chest infections, alcohol poisoning, and a life-threatening sepsis episode prompted a significant shift in their habits.

The author describes how a cousin's diagnosis of kidney failure and subsequent passing deeply affected their decision-making. They were concerned about their liver function and opted to quit drinking altogether, seeking an alternative method of dealing with stress and trauma.

Today, the author maintains a healthier lifestyle, having completely given up smoking and significantly reduced their alcohol intake. They report that their liver and kidney functions are now normal, illustrating the positive impact of their decision to prioritize their health.

Through this account, the author shares insights on the challenges of overcoming addiction and the importance of seeking support and making informed decisions for a better quality of life.