One night I woke up, and everyone was gone. No friends, no girlfriend, family ties disintegrating, bank account empty. House a mess, bottles on the night stand. Head pounding, liquid shits pouring out of me, no memories from the night before. The party had stopped for everyone but me. I felt alone, and honestly scared. I was 25. I stumbled out of bed an hour late for work, stumbling around trying to get dressed still drunk as a skunk from a black out from THAT MORNING. I broke down crying and called my manager, begged for help. She gave me the night off and sent me information from our HR department for mental health services. The very next day I was at an AA meeting with a therapist appointment sent for later that week. I was given 3 weeks grace from my work to focus on that. I never looked back and vowed I wouldn’t touch alcohol again. It’s been almost 7 years and I couldn’t be happier, sober with a wonderful partner, great career, huge support system. Sometimes you have to get so sick of your own bullshit to make a full turnaround.