Danny: Rising Above Alcohol Abuse

True Stories of Addiction: Danny

Danny’s childhood was somewhat fraught with tension and judgement. He was separated from his biological mother and held to high standards at home. Reveling in what felt like acceptance and love, he got wrapped up in drinking after he graduated high school. This eventually turned into alcoholism, but now he has overcome Alcohol abuse.

Underlying Issues that Can Lead to Substance Abuse

Danny’s caregivers were religious and they struggled with him being gay. While they loved him, they told him on many occasions that he would go to hell for being gay. This wasn’t a positive thing to hear from the people who should support him and make him feel safe.

Many people who turn to drugs and Alcohol feel rejected, judged or alone in some way. Danny was shamed because of who he was, and was rejected by his caregivers.

His strict and rigid upbringing suffocated him with a structure that he didn’t feel he had a place in.

Freedom Came with Alcohol

The summer that Danny was fifteen, he spent time at his biological mother’s house. She gave the kids Alcohol and was much less strict than his current care giver’s home. As he got older, he was eager to escape the hyper-controlled setting of his home.

Once he graduated from high school, he had the freedom to go where he wanted. Danny came running to his biological mom and her family. With them he felt more accepted and even adored. Someone always wanted to see him and hang out. This is when his drinking became more frequent and excessive.

It Was Easy to Overlook Alcohol Abuse

Danny wasn’t worried about developing Alcohol use disorder, because it didn’t seem like there was any chance of it. Alcoholism is often overlooked until the problem gets way out of hand.

This is partly because drinking is socially acceptable, while using illicit drugs like Heroin or Meth is completely unacceptable. There is less stigma or suspicion of addiction when it comes to Alcohol. For a long time, Danny drank heavily without ever thinking that he had a problem.

When his drinking became more excessive than seemed appropriate to others, he didn’t want to hear what anyone had to say. Instead of answering to the concerns from the people who loved him, Danny isolated himself and drank alone at home where he couldn’t be judged.

Drinking More After Grief and Tragedy

Danny’s sister also had a bad drinking problem, which he recognized as unhealthy and addictive behavior. She came to live with him and he took care of her while her health declined. While he also had a drinking problem, he didn’t believe it was of the same caliber as his sister’s habit.

She eventually was hospitalized and died soon after. Ironically, this tragedy brought Danny to immediately go get a drink. Grief and tragedy are common triggers for people who abuse substances. For Danny, Alcohol was a way to cope. Even though he had just witnessed the tragic results of alcoholism in his sister’s passing, drinking was a go-to activity for him in his grief.

Isolation swallowed him up again as his drinking grew worse.

Deciding to Get Help for Alcohol Abuse

Danny knew in his heart that he was heading down the same path as his sister, but he couldn’t let himself go. He had told himself over and over that he would stop drinking at this or that time, but hadn’t stuck with it yet. Eventually, he decided to commit to recovery by moving into a sober living home.

He kept busy, going to meetings and talking with a sponsor, working in the daytime and going to outpatient rehab treatment in the evenings. Slowly, he started to build up a new life that doesn’t revolve around Alcohol.

Now, Danny is passionate about helping others to overcome substance abuse. He has a goal of eventually working as a counselor for people in rehab suffering from addiction. Danny encourages others who are going through the same battle he did to believe in themselves and ask for the help they need.

He urges others not to have the same inhibitions and to seek the help they need without worrying about judgement. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, give us a call. We can help you find the right type of treatment to help you start over in life, just call (866) 578-747.

38 comments
  1. I started drinking a lot after high school too. I think something clicks in our brains like oh we are free now we can do what we want. Luckily I eased up some actually during college. It was affecting my ability to actually do any school work and attend classes.

  2. Parents should be the one to look after their wards not staying with friends or relative as the can be influence. Teenagers just leaving school school be educative that free life is not to go about doing what is wrong most especially drugs and alcohol.

    1. Rejecting people or judging them has lot more consequence than people know..I deeply understand why Danny went into drugs..he’s story resonates with a lot of people. Just like Danny, people turn to alcohol to cope with challenges. im sorry he lost his sister..I love the fact that Danny finally considered to commit to recovery..nice decision

  3. Such a kind of discrimination in the society is very dangerous. The sense of disrespect that he got from all around was the reason for his addiction.

  4. I think I love the last part-” without worrying judgment”. If I were him, I would be very grateful to have found a great resource full of positive people. Kudos to this facility.

  5. No freedom comes with doing drug, not any substance please. It’s a lie we all have been wired to believe. All pains and remorse comes immediately after the substance wears out

  6. Rising above any addiction starts with a personal conviction and dedicated to change. Then a right help can now show face through working programs and systems

  7. It’s very easy to find oneself into alcohol addiction, the society really even promotes that. Its left for oneself to decide to live again and fine help

  8. There is a point in every alcoholics life that they get to the turning point where they will have to make up their mind to quit. Danny got to this turning point and made the desired change.

  9. So happy to hear about Danny’s recovery. Addicted people should learn from his story and take a move to the rehab center for recovery.

  10. There are always underlying factors to these addictions either relevant or irrelevant. Addiction to something is a real tempting phase one can decide to scale through or not. I’m happy Danny got in touch with Detoxtorehab and was able to pull out. It’s never an easy feat.

  11. Danny story is a typical example of taking drinks doesn’t solve any problem. it will rather bring more problems and push one in becoming an addict which is really bad for life

  12. Rejection is a major factor that usually make people to engage in unthinkable. Determination can also help them to come out of it unharmed.

  13. Childhood is totally made for care by mother. She is the only who gives a good life and Danny get detached from his mom in child. This is bad but god give him strength for better future.

  14. Avoiding one’s families and staying with friends isn’t a good idea. Through this, a child can be badly influenced.

  15. Thank God you have been able to break the bearer on your way. Detox rehab is a machinery in the hands of most high God.

  16. Danny experienced two different lifestylestyles, one from his birth mother and the other his care givers. So I would say there was no balance for him. Even when he thought he could find succour in substance abuses but this failed him too. It is good thing he realised that being sobber is the only way he could live a fulfilled life.

  17. Freedom that is not properly managed will bring destruction. Thank God that Danny’s life was not destroyed but he was able to recover.

  18. I like the end of Danny as he is a counselor now and working on others to make life more meaningful for them.this is really awesome

  19. Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people who are addicted with something.

  20. The first step to step out of this is self realization and seek assistance. Thanks Danny for sharing this life experience.

  21. No one should be shamed or abused because of the way he/ she looks, depression can lead to anything. Thank God for Danny’s life for choosing to be sober and free from alcohol abuse. Detox to rehab thanks for sharing this amazing story.

  22. Thank God for Danny decision to get help from alcohol abuse is really a great step to recovery. Thanks for sharing your story it will motivate and give hope to those battling with addiction that recovery is still possible.

  23. Grief is not a good thing to the body and soul. Getting the best recovery aid is an act of bravery. Kudos to Detox for these programs.

  24. Rejection is the most common reason why people engage in alcohol and substance abuse. We need to be responsible with our actions towards our fellow men.

  25. It is very important we rise to help those suffering from acholoic addiction. This will make the world a better place.

  26. This is just so amazing. Determined mind and focus with the proper help is what addict needs. So happy he was able to get over his addiction.

  27. Teenagers falling victim of drugs is so rampant this days. Most time it’s always because they need to feel secure. The best those around can do is to make them know that, being an addict is not always has nice as it seems at first. We must help them get professional help.

  28. Luckily I eased up some actually during college. It was affecting my ability to actually do any school work and attend classes. Teenagers just leaving school school be educative that free life is not to go about doing what is wrong most especially drugs and alcohol. Thanks for sharing this blog.

  29. Parents are contribute alot to a child’s development. The way they bring up there children determine how they end up living there. I think awareness should be created on the side of the parent because they have alot to do to see the end of addiction in our community.

  30. Alcohol dangers can’t be overlooked, when we are induce into alcohol addition, we shouldn’t forget that it has consequences too, we should seek rehabilitation to correct it’s deficiency to our health.

  31. Parents need to really take up their responsibilities as to taking care of their kid and not putting them in other people’s care. Imbibe the habits you want in them. Monitor them, Guide and pray for them.

  32. Sounds like my folks lol. Alcoholism can be as much if not worse than drugs!!!! This is why I say when you become a parent you must be sure if not this happens.

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