I had to do community service for my dui. A bunch of us spent 8 hours last week together and 8 hours yesterday together. needless to say I made some friends. Most of us blue collar workers , strong and determined to knock out this manual labor. For lunch break the one offender had his licenses back and was nice enough to take me with him for something to eat. Him and I got to talking about our DUI’s. He is 25 and told me stories of how he would get so blackout drunk he would wake up on building and have no recollection on how he got there. He was the life of the party often ended up naked, dancing etc. He also told me he has been sober 6 months because he didnt want to drink during probation. He told me that his body feels better and he lost 30lbs. Then said well I cant wait for probation to end so I can go out again. His friends and him would go to this one bar every week. He couldnt imagine what he would be like without it since that is how he socializes with everyone. Let’s meet at a bar, let’s grab drinks after work, oh you had a bad day u must need a beer. He is definitely an introvert that acts like an extrovert when he drinks. I told him about the books I have read on sober life and reminded him how far he has come. I have impending guilt that I cant save him that it would probably take him another ten years before he realizes that he can live without alcohol. It’s like the outside looking in seeing myself ten years ago and wondering if i could of stop then. I would of saved myself off this pain. Now I am dealing with my emotions and learning how to function throughout everyday life.
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It’s unfortunate that we can’t save all of those suffering from this disease. I found a close friend dead recently from cirrhosis of the liver. I feel guilt every day that I couldn’t get her the help she needed and never wanted. This disease fucking sucks and kills. Hopefully this young man will come around before it’s too late. In the meantime, you need to stay strong in your own sobriety and pray for him. 
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