Growing up in the USA an extended family that drank and as a restless child, Aaron was put on narcotic prescription drugs at 13 year old to treat his behaviour problems. Shortly after, he found that alcohol solved his problem of feeling different. Aaron used pot and alcohol and became a daily drinker by the time he moved out of home at 18, before getting sick, being prescribed more painkillers and then using opiates daily.  Unable to stop drinking, Aaron continued to drink-drive and crash cars before he was eventually kicked out by his girlfriend and his mum manoeuvred him into rehab when he was 22. He realized that this was his last chance so he grabbed AA with both hands and is now over 7 years sober, now with a Uni degree, fulfilling work and looking forward to further study.

Alex’s story is similar; he also grew up in the USA and was prescribed drugs for behavioural problems at 11 years old and went on to smoke pot and then alcohol in his early teens to cope with anxiety and depression.  By the time he was 18 he was mixing alcohol, weed and other drugs to relieve his feelings and eventually moved on to OxyContin and heroin. Alex had a few periods of rehab and went to AA but continued to use drugs, which complicated any chance of recovery. His mum mounted a rescue mission and placed him in a 6 month outdoor rehab program where he finally found an interest in living clean and sober based on the AA principles. Sober for over a year now Alex has a good job and no fear of the future.

If you think that alcohol may be a problem then Alcoholics Anonymous could help you. Give them a call on 1300 222 222 or see their website aa.org.au.