- Alcohol
- Friends & Family
Hurricane Hugo (a Category 3 storm) ravaged the Sumter, South Carolina community in September 1989. My family was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base at the time. Scrambling to find safety, we all huddled together in our bathtub. My husband shielded all of us from danger with his body. What we did not realize at the time is that God would allow another storm as devastating as Hurricane Hugo to impact our lives. We survived Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and with God’s power and grace, we survived the “storm of alcoholism” in 2012.
Dale, my youngest son, actively engaged in underage drinking. The “party life” with all its seductive wiles became his way to gain social acceptance and admiration from peers. My son’s personal struggle for social acceptance spawned an unhealthy need in post-high school social settings. His drinking was limited to the weekends early on, but over the course of time, what started out as recreational spiraled into full-blown addiction. Alcoholism would afflict Dale for over a decade and manifest such unbearable suffering and afflictions that I cannot fully convey them with mere words.
The pain of watching Dale’s life spiral out of control due to drinking is indescribable. It led to many hellish days and nights of torment, but I still included him in my fervent prayers. Trying to cope with Dale’s manipulation, lies and deceptive practices led me to codependent behavior. Not only was my son sick, I was sick too! My son was a profound risk taker when under the influence of alcohol. Regrettably his risky behavior led to short-term incarcerations, an unstable employment history, sexual promiscuity, other recreational drug use and being the victim of violent assaults. God kept my family from being completely destroyed as a result of the “storm of alcoholism,” and on February 21, 2012, ten days after the untimely death of singer Whitney Houston, Dale entered treatment. Whitney Houston’s death became the defining moment of decision for Dale. Addiction and the totality of this disease brought about the spiritual awakening my son’s life had been sorely missing for a long time.
Divine intervention saved Dale’s life because if God had not intervened, my son would have succumbed to this disease. God’s saving of my son’s life launched my family into the spiritual arena of now being His “ambassadors of hope.” The “storm of alcoholism” tested, tried and profoundly changed my family. Many families like mine are being impacted daily by the devastating effects of alcoholism. My family’s recovery provides inspiration to so many who need hope. In support group meetings, God opened the doors to my wounded heart. His divine healing began, and the afflictions of alcoholism came to an end. On February 21, 2015, Dale celebrated three years of sobriety. He is flourishing in recovery and is now a sponsor. God has blessed him with wonderful career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He also works part time giving back that which was so freely given to him.