I got up and went to the bottle of vodka that was hidden in my drawer and opened it on the way to the sink. I purposefully smelled the vodka thinking “one last smell, then down the sink it goes!” I liked the smell of vodka- or at least told myself I did. By 18 I was a regular drinker with my mom at bars and working in some pretty shady places, doing some pretty horrific things all because this was my norm. I don’t have any opinions about other people’s choices with alcohol. I enjoyed it for many chapters of my life. I’ve simply arrived at a place where the cost benefit analysis points me clearly to the AF life. All these 'willpower' based attempts to stop drinking failed (exactly as they were destined to do). Slowly he discovered the truth about alcohol addiction & one by one all the lies he had previously believed started to fall apart. For the first time, he noticed that he genuinely didn’t want to drink anymore. In this book, he will lead you through the same fantastic process. Some never drank because of religious or personal convictions…the list goes on, but the biggest takeaway is more people do not drink than we realize!

I think the audible gives the correct emphasis on the points Craig is making. He's obviously a gifted speaker and his talents really help drive home his beliefs.Literally! A cigarette in one hand, a bottle of booze, or beer or a wineglass full of poison in the other. I had never seen or learned of a different norm. Not from friends, family, my husband. No-one showed me differently, and I didn’t want to see anything else anyways. The non-smoking did not last of course.

I noticed several years ago that if a restaurant didn’t offer alcohol I always found something wrong with it and therefore would not return. One sip of alcohol may take less than five seconds to consume but will start an unstoppable process that will last at least two weeks. During that period a new chemical imbalance will force you to crave another drink. That pain will only stop for two reasons. Not so much financially, but had all the symptoms you describe and yes, I wasted hundreds-- or thousands- of hours and have risked losing the respect of my sons. No I didn’t! I actually would never touch wine until after I got married because my mother threw up all over me when I was a teenager red, red, red wine! Looked like blood. Smelled horrific!As they arrive home, they are exactly mid-way through the most powerful phase of the withdrawal process. Alcohol withdrawal is so subtle that we are unable to identify the symptoms unless we are aware of what to look for. Withdrawal from booze feels like a general feeling of unease. To the everyday person, it may feel a little like stress or anxiety. Is it Really Stress? I knew I had a problem, I knew I was getting out of control and had lost control so many, many times in the last 30 odd years that I wanted it gone. However, I could not stop, I could not agree with what I knew in my heart was killing me. You’re right, I can’t preach about it, only share it with others who want help and can relate to some close friends who have been able to quit. All these 'willpower' based attempts to stop drinking failed (exactly as they were destined to do). Slowly he discovered the truth about alcohol addiction and one by one all the lies he had previously believed started to fall apart. For the first time he noticed that he genuinely didn’t want to drink anymore. In this book he will lead you though the same amazing process. My grandfather on my mother’s side and his brother both had a SERIOUS drinking problem. His brother finally stopped drinking and asked his mom- my nana, to no matter what it takes give him his daily pill to help not drink. 1.5 years later, clean and sober, he was killed.

I started smoking when I was 4. Yes, a little young, but my older brother by 2 years was already smoking and I would tag along with him as his little shadow, so he taught me how to smoke so he wouldn’t be tattled on. My father ultimately found out and we were literally tied to our beds for days. Alcohol withdrawal begins from the moment you take your last sip. It will reach its peak intensity between 24 and 48 hours later. I realize I’ve been a contributor to the great alcohol conspiracy most of my life and its really taken its toll. For 20 years he struggled to control his drinking, all the time refusing to label himself an alcoholic because he didn't believe he met the stereotypical image that the word portrayed. He tried countless ways to cut down; attempting ‘dry months’, banning himself from drinking spirits, only drinking at the weekend and special occasions (and found that it is amazing how even the smallest of event can suddenly become ‘special’). PERFORMANCE - The writer is a great motivational speaker and does a good job reading his own work. He has a pleasant British accent.

You’ve given me a simple, logical explanation to why drinking has become such a problem this last couple years.

So, I was walking to the sink and smelled this poison. I fully believed at that point (and still do) it and all alcohol is and was poison. When I smelled that vodka my stomach twisted and tried to crawl up my throat! It IS a miracle my daughter cannot stand alcohol (or so she says) but does smoke cigarettes (daily) and pot (occasionally). I know I just added years to my life, years to spend with my family and however many grandchildren I get in the future. Supplements to help stop drinking are not the silver bullet to alcohol addiction. They simply make it easier for you. However, you must get your mindset correct first. I, of course, stopped drinking and smoking when I was pregnant with both my daughter (soon to be 19) and son (16.5). The entire lives of my children have had drinking, smoking and other horrors in them. Is it any wonder my son smokes pot, drinks with friends and has occasionally smoked cigarettes! Of course not! That is his norm.Maybe my prayers were finally answered. Maybe I was in the perfect storm of my life and was ready to listen. Maybe I knew deep in my soul my Norm had to change. I don’t know. Maybe it was a combination of all 3.