Tom: Downfall of a Functioning Alcoholic

[@Jay-cg3rx]

I am 39 and today I have admitted I am an alcoholic! I have lost my freedom in the past because of this and I've also had so many family issues. My life is a mess right now but I am determined to make a new life for myself. Currently times are hard for me but I need to change and put down the drink so that I can make a positive future.

[@billnaugle9117]

Good deal brother! I'm rooting for u.

[@andrewdods2236]

Right Wing weak? Addiction to a socially accepted drug sneaks up on you. Courage is sorting it ...

[@keyliyah33]

John I pray you have made progress since this last post. May God guide and bless you and deliver you from the addiction.

[@mantra24]

I am 37 and going through something similar. Been sober since June 8 2020, with a few relapses, but going strong. You are not alone out there!

[@lindiascott3758]

That's why it's called the demon drink don't let it ruin your lives join aa

[@annamariehewitt3173]

I was a gutter Alcoholic and became sober in 2003..I am now an Artist and a Musician...

[@philbecker4676]

So you're unemployed.

[@mongogojjo5944]

@@philbecker4676 that's not what he said shit for brains. And who even gives a shit if he's doing what he loves to do and finding meaning in something? What's your problem

[@mongogojjo5944]

@@philbecker4676 yeah because nobody ever makes money off of being an artist or musician...the fuck is wrong with you?

[@irvingr.fatback886]

Paint brush and a guitar.

[@annamariehewitt3173]

@@irvingr.fatback886 AA is the million dollar solution..A dollar at a time.....

[@georgedavis4362]

I’m 9 years sober this past Sunday, 7/25/21. Congratulations to who are seeing the light and want to get help.

[@augustinehourigan7453]

As an alcoholic when I was still drinking I WAS DYING ONE DAY AT A TIME. That is the truth.

[@octavian6648]

Hope you’re still clean. But aren’t we all dying one day at a time?

[@Ryan-nd7ny]

Yea we are all dying one day at a time bud. Glad your clean though

[@ChilliCheezdog]

I'm digging a hole. My brother was a heroin addict. Gone five years. So many good people, so much pain.

[@turbompson4546]

Depends on the person. Alcoholism has been very good to me in the past.

[@marcK599.]

@@turbompson4546you need to go back and watch this video again. You’ve seemed to miss something important

[@nwoshock2012]

Don't give up. I've been sober for 361 days and I'm 35 as well. Its been tough but so worth it!

[@WestsideCleveland]

How's it going now

[@harryolsen603]

@@WestsideCleveland He died from alcolism

[@GriffinDuyThespian]

💞💯

[@marcK599.]

@@harryolsen603stupid comment

[@alanbell1821]

Hope u still are

[@surgicalshooter911]

I’m proud of you, you did what my father could never do (quit drinking) he was a college educated athlete from a loving family and he died a functioning alcoholic from cirrhosis at 53. I myself am now 50 a proud father of three boys, a loving husband and a non-drinker, it would have been nice for my father to have been here today, sober enjoying his grandsons.

[@fisheralaric692]

i guess Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know of a way to log back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the login password. I would love any assistance you can give me

[@ulisesshane8379]

@Fisher Alaric Instablaster :)

[@fisheralaric692]

@Ulises Shane I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im trying it out atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@fisheralaric692]

@Ulises Shane it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my account :D

[@ulisesshane8379]

@Fisher Alaric glad I could help :D

[@JimMalmPHOTO]

I'm five days in and I don't miss it at all. I'm kicking several addictions along with alcohol. Feel great now when I wake up.

[@Dicer86]

Depends on your mental state. Anxiety, depression ?

[@JimMalmPHOTO]

@@Dicer86 No - Magnesium, max Vit C & Bupropion.

[@astrodad656]

No offense, JJ, but my brother in law has said that about 50 times in the past 20 years...it gets old real fast. Post when you are sober for a year. God speed.

[@sakabula1285]

Post when you are sober 5 years..

[@lesiepetersen1582]

Just wait.

[@DigitalUniverseReviews]

I don't who he or this channel, I come across it by accident. But none of that matters, this man got up and showed his hearts and all the pain he went through. I have soooo much respect for him, how many of us could get online and expose ourselves as this man has done. NOT many I think!

[@jayaybe1]

3

[@pinky567]

Not once do we consume alcohol and say I am proud of what I did, what I said and what I accomplished. Alcohol is a deceitful liar dressed up as a friend and comforter only bent on destroying everything in its path.

[@vrijevoeten]

So true.....

[@zoomorphicrap]

Its hard to understand unless youv been through it.

[@woodyfive0]

zoomorphicrap agreed, I cannot wrap my around an addiction to alcohol. I smoked for 20 years and quit. I get addiction just not to something as gross as alcohol. My father was an alcoholic and that was enough for me to never become an alcoholic.

[@andrewdods2236]

woodyfive0 alcohol is yum. Too yum ... hence the problem. It triggers 150% of the dopamine / seratonin than harder drugs do .. and keeps you euphoric for longer. Very seductive drug ..

[@woodyfive0]

andrew dods don’t get me wrong, I have done my share of drinking just never got that addiction. Hangovers are the grossest thing to live through. I will stick with the pot. Marijuana, now there’s an addiction I can get behind

[@NickyDiamond44]

@@woodyfive0 I’m an advocate for marijuana but it can turn on you too. I was a pothead throughout my twenties and early thirties. I absolutely loved it and it didn’t have many if any adverse effects. At 35 pot started giving me anxiety and I even had a couple panic attacks. I couldn’t believe it because weed had never made feel that way before but our brain chemistry naturally changes over time. This might be more common with habitual users like myself.

[@thejakeyboi]

I am living this guy's life right now. Thank you for the wake up call. God bless.

[@BastardX13]

God bless you

[@ThePainkiller9995]

How are you doing

[@romant7204]

I can listen to this guy all day, he has a talent for story telling

[@augustinehourigan7453]

It was not too late for me to realize how much I lost. AA gave me a wonderful way of life.

[@iceicekodi6402]

Never liked AA. Everyone trading one addiction for another. The smell of cigarettes and coffee make me want to puke.

[@ALLw3rk]

@@iceicekodi6402go in that bih and drink straight water not saying a single word ever.

[@monicaflorian6965]

Thank you for your honesty. You speak from the heart which is a big one. One of the downfalls of being sensitive vulnerable and beautiful. Us with alcoholic bereavement have amazing qualities that tend to blind us with light that is a special force. The blindness contributes to a hole in the soul that is the pain of substance dependancy. With appreciation.

[@sammy2840]

Use to walk into bars swearing I wasn’t going to drink...by myself! Total insanity!

[@babyg8662]

This was a very enlightening series of videos. Disguise great! I’m so happy that he got out of that awful life. I know that video was 14 years ago, but I am praying that he is still doing OK!

[@joanberry2143]

Addiction is so very cruel and heartbreaking!

[@charleneclark1817]

I left my partner because of it

disclaimer: i'm not alcoholic, but from time to time i am drinking much. for me personally, it's quite important to understand that i'm not the only one struggling with life, trying to survive, and stuff. listening to similar stories as mine helps to accept that life isn't easy and after acceptance i start thinking about how to make things better, how to avoid problems and stuff. sometimes it's good to nag , but not constantly.

[@CVF72]

Your testimony will change lives. THANK YOU

[@RichardGarcia93]

I know this video is 14 years old but it’s still a huge inspiration in 2024

[@mattyb567567]

I also have had an addiction since 14 years old i know how hard it is and people give you no credit unless you quit completely but cutting back till you can quit is better than nothing good luck man

[@davidgibson2407]

8 months sober. Glory to God!

[@BRIANDER100]

we are in 2023 now. are you still sober ?

[@BobBob-uv9fq]

Changed alchol for excercise,,aiming to run,marathon under 4 hrs when 60 ,,my vo2 max is 48 ,could go to mid 50 ,,not bad for 55 yrs

[@meathenum]

New addiction

[@user-vv6mt8md6g]

Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate to being a functional alcoholic. I'm only one month sober, but have made up my mind that I'm never going back. A friend of mine dropped me off at AA for my 40th Birthday! LOL!!! What a wake up call! I knew I was spiraling in a bad direction but didn't know how to stop drinking. I actually didn't see the alcohol as a problem. I would have never known that I could go this long without wanting a drink. Well...I can't say that it doesn't cross my mind, but the support I'm getting at AA has been amazing! There is really no reason to go back. Still dealing with withdrawals, which sucks! But it is part of the journey.

[@BRIANDER100]

we are in 2023 now. are you still sober ?

[@user-vv6mt8md6g]

@@BRIANDER100 Still sober...I had to reset my date to May 1, 2017. So I celebrated 6 years last month. I've been sponsoring and working with others since my first month till now. "Nothing so much insures my sobriety as intense work with other alcoholics...it works when nothing else does". Thanks for checking!!! Feel free to reach out anytime.

[@Jorgie000]

Hope you got the help you needed mate! Wish you all the best!

[@jujumulligan43]

I'm still on the insane rollercoaster. Each day I promise never again. Yet by early evening I am heading to the store. I will get sober time and go right back into the nightmare

[@Username_Invalid]

How you doing?

[@I-Am-Prosperous-I-Am-Grateful]

Idle hands are the devil's playground. Keep your hands busy by learning a new skill or with something productive or healthy such as cycling, playing guitar, making music, photography or whatever else interests you. Whether you think you can or can't, you're right either way, so get excited about the good things that are coming into your life & plan accordingly. ✌️&❤️

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

37 years sober and grateful every moment of every day

[@denisesalles7248]

Very courageous to share the part about your kids and the cliff and the bottle of vodka. All the best to you and your family.

[@JayNa886]

Personally I believe that alcohol should be illegal.

[@glyph241]

It Was… 🥃🕳🥃

[@maxw89]

“Downfall of someone who thought he was a functioning alcoholic, but was actually a non-functioning alcoholic who got lucky for a while.”

[@youcanthide004]

fantastic video. Fun fact my sober date is October 6, 2014.

[@bndkllr2]

Some people CAN reduce their drinking to a moderate level, but it is difficult at first. My friend used to get drunk every night for 4 years. He quit for 6 months. Now he drinks 2-4 5oz glasses of wine two days a week. The key is to drink slower and infrequent enough to NOT build a tolerance, otherwise you go back to drinking heavily. But a heavy drinker must reduce GRADUALLY to avoid a life-threatening withdrawl.

[@BRIANDER100]

we are in 2023 now. how is your friend doing now ?

[@rightknowledgeman]

I 0nly drink on 2 occasions, when Im by myself and when Im around other people.

[@mostmasterfulnos4065]

Norbero Fontanez "you aint funny but your funny"

[@mostmasterfulnos4065]

Norbero Fontanez stfu u drunk

[@evolutionaryadvantage]

mostmasterful *you’re* funny

[@andrewdods2236]

gregory hudson .. and the other 2. When celebrating .. or when mourning ...

[@augustinehourigan7453]

In my opinion an alcoholic DOES NO LONGER WANT TO DRINK!!! He is now at a stage WHERE HE HAS TO DRINK, at least that was my experience!

[@Scorcher-ii1ty]

Exactly it becomes like smoking cigarettes. You hate it but can’t stop. I hate drinking. I know I’m killing my liver. I drink beer

[@Justadrifterhere]

I'm struggling with this myself. Good video 👍

[@RichardBarry-p8z]

October 6th cool my birthday i was a drinker Thank God I'm not anymore Life is way better 😊 congratulations to you 🎉 to anyone that can accomplish this

[@ChilliCheezdog]

God bless you, Tom. I see your strength and your sensitivity. I respect your honesty and your obvious desire to communicate. I respect you as a man.

[@juleerowley9706]

My children's father was an alcoholic ....he put booze before his beautiful kids...it eventually killed him. It ruined their childhood and definitely left them with issues as adults 😪

[@McLaughlinP-y1c]

My dad was an alcoholic and died at 39. His mother was an alcoholic and died at 43 in the gutter not wanting too know anyone or her family ... I got sober 12 years ago when I was 31 and still remain so... It's a family illness there's no doubt about that 😢

[@marcK599.]

So sorry to hear. That’s a very tough situation and am hoping you and your kids find a way to deal with this.

[@jefflittle8872]

Sadly I'm attending the funeral of a friend next week who died at 56..quiet guy who drank to give himself confidence and now he's gone.

[@Touraspie]

Drunk and starting to cry... time for part two, I guess.

[@cra602]

this story helps me right now thank you

[@gremice31]

have you heard of SMART recovery? It's helping me, if you have one near you maybe it could help you too :)

[@dianesoden3261]

I am 69 sober 15 years

[@augustinehourigan7453]

As an alcoholic sympathy was no good for me, not only was I weak but I was powerless over alcohol, I could not control it, but alcohol CONTROLLED ME!!!

[@robertmarkold3408]

I'm starting to cut back after 13 years of heavy drinking has really taken it's toll on me physically and mentally, my memory I really struggle to remember things if only I could turn back time

[@robertmarkold3408]

@chaseturk tell me about it I want to kick the habit out of my life but so hard I've tried everything

[@robertmarkold3408]

@chaseturk not only that it's really taken it's toll on me especially my memory damage is already done hate to think what my liver looks like

[@bndkllr2]

We drink too much because we want to control our mood. Trouble is, we feel good WHILE drinking, but feel down AFTER drinking and want to lift our mood again=more drinking. When you can weather the down feeling the next day, you don't crave another consecutive night of drinking, and you can make it through the week. But you also have to cut down HOW MUCH you drink a given time, so as not to build a tolerance. This can be difficult, but then so is quitting completely.

[@BRIANDER100]

It is now 2023 - any idea what Tom is up to today ?

[@warriorsage591]

I CANT STOP DRINKING SOMEONE PRAY FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

[@alanbell1821]

Where is he now

[@jchisholm1968]

And I am very glad you did. I would help anybody who put their hand out but so many willfully carry on & hurt all those around them. Good for you for finding the strength to fight your addiction. I realize it's not an easy task but it's the only way to overcome it. addiction.

[@sccakb6]

Explaining is something most folks have either forgotten how to do, or either never knew how.

[@Carl-hx9gm]

Total Respect to you ! Hope you one day get you get all your kids back !!

[@arthuroldale-ki2ev]

Before I became an alcoholic, the world was my oyster. Then from many years of drinking, my world was my enemy. These days of complete sobriety 24/7. etc. etc .etc. My brain is clean. My mind is clear. My thoughts are SOUND! From past folly, one can become WISE. SHREWD even. The word NO!!! Holds so much POWER!!!!!

[@Milkpipe]

Can I ask, how much does rehab help? It seems to be much more available in the states (than the UK), but I'm wondering if I would benefit from a detox period..? I can currently go 2-3 days without drink, but no longer. But it's not going to get better, is it..

[@randygreen007]

Did it get better?

[@unknown2day2]

I was more of a black out drinker. It was very scary! I was going to die fast but surely. Caused me to stop drinking at a young age! Functioning alcoholics though they die slowly.

[@Xstr3ngthz]

Was it scary because you always did dumb stuff or do stuff you won’t remember that was potentially dangerous? I’m kind of the same way I drink until I black out

[@unknown2day2]

@@Xstr3ngthz Yeah it was because my intentions were never to do the stupid stuff i would do. I just wanted to have a good time. Id be careful with that. Feel free to connect with me by email if you ever need to chat. The next day id wake up hung over regreting all the dumb stuff i did or things that I said!

[@BiggCojones]

My name is Mark and I am a functioning alcoholic! ty so much for the vid!

[@alishabeal8241]

Colin Quinn?

[@theturner4379]

I need help

[@augustinehourigan7453]

Thanks for your honest sharing!

[@CerebralAssassin]

My dad was an alcoholic.He was a "Functioning" alcoholic until one day he wasn't.The house of cards came crashing down.We lost our house and ended up on the street,me being just a kid. I recommend for alcoholics to take psylocibin mushrooms.They're very effective at treating depression.They're close to a magic bullet.Anti-depressants are the next best option.

[@monkeyseemonkeydo432]

CerebralAssassin Was thinking that for myself...I have to drink once a week or I get really stressed ...but looking for mushrooms once every year or so

[@HIR5032]

Addiction can break us apart, it can do horrible things to people, it can take away everything from you, your money, your loved ones, your job. Most often than not, it's always too late to realize how much we've lost.

[@ericpanissidi6761]

This is like a speaker meeting.thanks.

[@vickyferreira3259]

I'm leaving my husband tomorrow. I tried to help him and be supportive, but I'm tired of being called a cunt, a bitch, a piece of shit and getting pinched and poked and getting things thrown at me. I don't deserve this mental and physical abuse.

[@lindamiles5035]

How are you doing now?

[@vickyferreira3259]

@@lindamiles5035 I'm living and working in another town far away from him, have my own apartment, car and life. It wasn't easy and I still have days where I miss him, but I'm very happy now.

[@lindamiles5035]

@@vickyferreira3259 well done on being strong xx

[@vickyferreira3259]

@@lindamiles5035 Thank you..😌

[@EricTaylor-cn4zq]

Good for you Vicky. I’m sorry you had to endure all that.

[@mikeh5431]

Superb! Takes guts to say those things

[@abbygirl1993]

wow. I like him. Hope he is well.

[@TKR4U22]

Great Job! Thank You for your Help. Never stop trying to help us.

[@joerobbins6318]

Hats off to the brave individuals that share thr terrible affliction of alcoholism . and the destruction it leaves in its wake God bless them

[@TL....]

december 22, 2021 for me i miss it every hour, every day but i stay away because its for the best

[@eldnahym]

Still hanging in there?

[@TL....]

@@eldnahym yes , not 1 drop but i have dreams of finding bottles or being at bars

[@njclondon2009]

at what point were you functioning?

[@paulspydar]

I have just cremated my last oldest friend three days ago , he bled to death very quickly when he had an internal rupture from cirrhosis .. he was 52 .

[@user-vv6mt8md6g]

Wow! I am so sorry to hear that Paul! That is very sad. =0( I just gave up the bottle one month ago...dealing with withdrawals right now. At the rate I was drinking I knew it was just a matter of time till I got a bad report from the doctor. Hang in there again, so, so, sorry to hear about your friend.

[@jackiebenedict4479]

paulspydar I am so sorry to hear that. It's so unfortunate that someone could lose their life because of alcohol.

[@sabrinaprovencal5954]

I lost my friend the same way just this last April. He was 55.

[@BRIANDER100]

@@sabrinaprovencal5954 how much and how long did he drink ?

[@BRIANDER100]

how much and how long did he drink ?

[@mcveigh2k624]

I'm 40 ( nearly 41) been in recovery now for 8 months , been told my liver is so damaged if i continued to drink I would suffer irreparable damage to my liver

[@mcveigh2k624]

Tony Nguyen vodka or whiskey

[@Quincycle]

How you doing now?

[@BRIANDER100]

we are in 2023 now. are you still sober ?

[@BRIANDER100]

how much and how long did you drink ?

[@mcveigh2k624]

@@BRIANDER100 litre of vodka with orange juice so I got some vitamins lol the messed up mind of an addict eh

[@tommyjoestallings855]

Im currently an alchoholic ,i quit but the panic attacks were more than i could handle. So im back drinking.

[@joe18425]

For what it's worth, I'm in the exact same boat as yourself. Best of luck to you, sincerely 😢

[@isaacstorey3689]

I did too man it is possible I'm 66 days sober, I had the exact same issue It got worse to begin but now almost hardly get them

[@Gracie.Paulina]

I heard it said like this, it's not so much as the amount your drink but sometimes why. Can you just let that all go? An alcoholic is someone who often times takes a drink to "take the edge off... but it doesn't always work that way and ends up an addiction: of the mental and emotional kind. Kind regards.

[@marylynch951]

Well done to you Tom It takes courage Absolutely it does How are you doing now ? God bless you and your family

[@jarreldoomis3502]

"Other chemicals in my 30s." Bruh just say coke lmao

[@CabbagePatchBaby]

That's not so encouraging.

[@Dylan82598]

Anybody knows where he is now?

[@rocowolf918]

I have about 10-12 shots a night and when i skip a night i feel fine.Is this ok??

[@HoodooMD]

Five years sober @ 54. What got me to quit? In a dream, my Holy Guardian Angel showed me something that was so horrible and terrifying.

[@ishay777777777]

Listening to this while drinking

[@deltafox399j]

i feel like you are an addict when 1) you need it and will do anything for it. 2) first thing in the morning before anything

[@josephstock9128]

Coffee is a :hot: commodity

[@WillShadbolt]

are u good now?

[@elsquibbs]

This is as real as it gets.

[@derekpierkowski7641]

Alcoholism is an EXTREMELY painful death when you get to the brink. When your pancreas is on the verge of exploding, you'll try to drink but the smallest amount will Magnifie the pain. It's torture you'll Die or, you'll finally go to the hospital where you'll have a 10% chance of living.

[@annonymous4479]

I 100% thought this was Colin Quinn

[@drunkpolishdad2807]

My father's an severe alcoholic. I started this channel to document him. Please help.

[@ubershredder1989]

+Drunk Polish Dad has he read allen carrs Easyway to control alcohol

[@ubershredder1989]

***** absolutely. i stopped drinking. I don't even need to cope. the book gets rid of any desire to consume alcohol. Highly recommended.

[@johnpetersloan3830]

naltrexone!!!!! the sinclair method..it works!!!!!

[@user-bt8vn3dj6o]

I can relate to your story.

[@dirtypete8750]

I'm back and can't remember making the last comment or watching this...

[@cahmon3y338]

Did they make that movie with Keanu Reeves based on this guy wheres his dad was a drunk and he started to fall in his footsteps

[@ArbHunter]

Fair-play reaching success & being a functional alcoholic....but the money probably was ammunition to your addiction. Very honest video

[@yaroslavapottosina6941]

I think you are doing very well

[@MrReign007]

Im 27 work everyday, married, very happy but I drink everyday 3-4 whiskeys a day double that on weekends. Really don't know if im an alcoholic but I feel like I have a problem. Not sure what the hell to do

[@johnanderson3731]

MrReign007 how are you now?

[@BRIANDER100]

we are in 2023 now. are you still sober ?

[@jonesgerard]

I'm a recovered alcoholic, I don't bore people with drunkalogues, my focus is on how I recovered from a seemingly hopeless condition of mind and body. If an alcoholic can't tell how they got well, they didn't, they're just dry but still nuts. 90% of everyone in AA still suffer from untreated alcoholism, they think going to meetings is the solution, it isn't, it never was. Its all about the steps.

[@jamesluallen3550]

I'm a friend of Bill's and I agree to a point. Without the meetings we can't help the newcomers get sponsors. But yes taking the steps is the path to freedom.

[@derekd4394]

I miss being so outgoing what do I do?

[@schlaznger8049]

My ex girlriend called me a functioning alcoholic. She had no job and I was paying all the bills. Oh well at least the bottle still loves me

[@schlaznger8049]

+HowlOfMinerva it was a joke. I have not drank in 5+ years.

[@darrusdarrison5128]

+HowlOfMinerva yeah being unemployed is great

[@DIBBY40]

Hi Jim Check out "Kick the drink ...easily" by Jason Vale. One of the best books I've read on the alcohol trap, and how to get out.

[@waynecalhoun2802]

A case of beer a day? I thought I was bad

[@chrissthrillingvideologs6053]

What a good man, glad hes clean

[@ClaudeMagicbox]

Well on the long period for sure, meaning that I would probably not be able or want to stop drinking 100%(what should I do that for? I mean it's not a problem as I said I never drink in the day - anything - and have 2 max 3 evenings a week in which I drink out of home or just a bottle of white wine at home during dinner/after dinner). BTW I'm 44 now and my "bad drinking days" date back to my 25-27 stage.

[@BRIANDER100]

we are in 2023 now. are you still sober ?

[@margaridacosta270]

The question is So take alcohol from your life what is left? Do you have anything else?

[@dereksmallsuk]

I pray to Mantago the great sky daddy, creator of the world, and everything in it.... I follow his teachings from "The Book Of Shite"... I drink now and then, but because of my faith in Mantago and his Shite teachings I can never become addicted....

[@gstoner1]

This is Colin Quinn's most boring SNL skit ever

[@90smadebarbie]

omg he reminded me of him as well lol alot of the same mannerisms and speach pattern

[@gregoryfreeman9073]

He actually played a character like this. Regualar Joe or something like that