Hey, I Have Issues, Too!

As soon as I was told I would be able to join the Dare to Lose competition that we are doing with Miramont Lifestyle Fitness and a handful of our listeners, I knew my involvement might slightly confuse people.

I am simply not overweight.

But, that doesn't mean I don't have issues!

Food is not my problem. Alcohol is. I am an alcoholic in recovery (no drinks for 4 years plus!), and as such, I understand what it is like to have to look a personal demon in the eye and do what seems to be impossible.

This is the first of a three part documentary.

When I first decided to stop drinking, it felt very similar to the way it felt when my grandfather died. There was a physical emptiness I could feel. I was terrified. I was scared of what life would be like if I didn't drink anymore. Even more, I was horrified of what would happen if I did.

There was a physical sensation of emptiness in my stomach when I first went to ask people for help. It felt like there was an actual lump of sadness that I could feel sinking through my torso.

I was confused about many things--except one--I knew I should never drink again. It was very clear that that behavior was not serving me.

If this is not something similar to what my Dare to Lose friends are feeling now, I would be very surprised.

Whenever I see someone who has conquered the issues that I don't face, I used to think, "They wouldn't understand my issue. They don't have the same problem." After recovery, I am starting to think that most of our problems (and the solutions to those problems) are very similar to each other.

"Hello, my name is ____, and I'm a _______-aholic."

A wise person once told me that alcohol is not my problem. It is a symptom of a much deeper problem. For me, those problems were rooted in fear and resentment. As I continually work on clearing those problems, life becomes better and better.

Fears we haven't faced, issues that we haven't explored or personal responsibilities that we have not fully accepted as our own cause disorders with addictive substances, food, gambling, sex and more.

So, to any of the Dare to Losers or any other people who may look at me and say "He's fine. He wouldn't understand my problem" I just wanted to point out that though it may seem like no one understands our issues, instead, everyone around us probably has a great understanding of what it is like to struggle mightily with something.

If you are doing something about it, pat yourself on the back. If you aren't doing anything about it, maybe today would be a good day to ask someone for help. I'll be they'll make you feel better about it than you are imagining.