In 1998, during Mother’s Day weekend, I had the opportunity to spend time with Hunter S Thompson at a cabin in Northern California. While we were playing golf on Nintendo and getting high, HST mentioned that the “party is over when all hope is lost and the therapeutic effects of the drugs wear off.” I was confused by his statement. Until tonight, when my wife told me that she wants to just be friends. (WOW! Stabby! McStab Stab!) So, all hope is lost and I don’t want to rely on drugs for comfort anymore. What does it mean that the party is over? To him, I guess it was a gunshot wound to the head. To me, it means I need to find a new way to cope with life. I am unsure of how to move forward without relying on substances to numb the pain. I feel lost and uncertain about how to navigate life without using drugs. I feel challenged by the idea of living life on life’s terms.
I know some of my friends get sick of hearing my HST stories. However, I feel it is pertinent tonight.
I am 92 Days Clean and Serene today and got my 90 Day chip from AA. I’m NA, but I do not have an opinion of where to go while incarcerated at the VA.
So with that. Carry on and thanks for letting me share.
Thanks for sharing Tony. Congratulations on 92 days! The party is over. You survived!! The journey to where you are today has been a long crazy road. You made it brother. You survived. In reality the party ended long ago. You just couldn’t face it. But here you are today. You’re ok. Somehow the powers that be have spared your life. You get to start a new journey…a new party. This one you are free from alcohol and drugs. You get to go back and heal yourself, and make amends to others you have harmed. You’re getting the ultimate do over. You can finally be the man you always wanted to be…kind, loving tolerant. It’s going to be a lot of work, but you can do it ODAAT. I’m glad you made it thru my brother
Sorry about your buddy. He clearly didn’t know anything about how to get and stay sober. His fate is all too common. Just like many other standard issue, garden variety drunks and addicts. I have lost many friends the same way. Sad deal.
So whatever he was doing, don’t do that. Realize that you know everything in the world about getting wasted, and little or nothing about staying sober. Get to meetings and listen to the men who have long term sobriety. That’s where the solution is, in the steps.
ODAAT
Keep coming back!
I know exactly what it means to know the party's over. Where alcohol once made me happy and outgoing (I'm an introvert) eventually turned into a daily requirement that made me sad, angry, and sick... Congrats on 92 days!