I have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Also just admitted to being an alcoholic - where do I go from here?
Hi Wally.
I have been Type 1 for 34 years and have been in recovery from alcoholism since 2004 after twenty continuous years of chronic alcohol addiction.
During those years I nearly died on many occasions due to terrifying alcoholic hypoglycemia and alcohol induced DKA. I am truly fortunate to be here now writing this.
I never once thought I would be alcohol free and if I am honest I never wanted to be. Alcohol was the center of my universe and I put it before everything including my diabetes, friends, family and everything that was dear to me. The thought of stopping drinking terrified me more than drinking myself to death and maybe you will understand what I'm talking about. That thought that it will be different next time only to end up in the same state time after time was a never ending cycle.
You have admitted you are an alcoholic and I applaud you for that. It is a massive step but can I ask if this is just an acknowledgement of your situation or do you want to actually do something about it !
Please feel free to PM me if you wish Wally. I understand the fear you must be going through and I will help as much as I possibly can through my experience of living with both illnesses.
Kev