One More Drink

“You want to get a drink?”

 

Six words. Six little words casually spoken by an innocent man without any idea of their implications.

 

 

“You want to get a drink?”

 

It was only a reunion with an old friend; it was not supposed to become a battlefield. One moment I’m strolling down the street chatting light-heartedly with a mate from school, the next my world is threatening to crash down around me.

 

 

“You want to get a drink?”

 

To him it may mean nothing but a simple boy’s night out, but to me it means much, much more.

 

 

"You want to get a drink?" 

Anxiety, depression, obsession, not caring what I did, who I hurt, how much I lost as long it got me a pint. Bystanders attacked and robbed when cash ran low, barmen beaten and stabbed after refusing to give any more, and every last cent, possession, and shred of dignity sacrificed.


"You want to get a drink?"

Often I woke in pain, sometimes in strange places with no memory of how I got there, sometimes in ER. It was terrifying, horrifying, and killing me, but I couldn't stop.


"You want to get a drink?" 

And even when I finally did, it never quite left me.


"You want to get a drink?" 

They say half the battle is lost with the first sip. That the taste can never be forgotten, that the thirst and the craving never disappear. Those six words, and I am suddenly very aware of the dryness of my throat, the longing in my belly, the need in my body.


"You want to get a drink?" 

But I also remember what I've gained. The steady job I finally attained after years of unreliability, the spacious house I only just finished paying off the previous month, the wonderful son who admires me and looks up to me, and the beautiful wife who loves me despite everything I'd done and was the one to first help me stop.

“No thanks, I don’t drink.”

 

Half may be lost, but half is still being fought. There will be no end, no final battle; I’ll never stop wanting just one more drink.

 

But I have too much to lose now, and if I have to fight for the rest of my life, I will do it.

Author's Note

Bit of an experiment, nothing like anything I've written before.

Reviews

[Kiyo]

Many individuals deal with addiction, alchohol, drugs, whatever...it's impulsive, can take over lives until, without a fix, you find yourself doing anything to get it, like a (wo)man possessed. The battle doesn't stop at the last drink, or the final upheavel of everything you've worked towards becoming and obtaining... this story puts those aftershocks into words, where one innocent line can cause so much unresolved damage. Very beautifully written, I think.
- Kiyo

[K.]

Oh my god, that was so intriguing. So different from anything I read, but because of that I really enjoyed it. You have a gift.

[Sarah Sopher]

This is great! I love the simplicity of it all! Stripping the entire struggle that is alcoholism and a sober addicts life down to the core of temptation and resiliency! Very poignant. Also a very good use of the repetition to emphasize this point.

[eatmills]

You should submit this to AA (if you already haven't). I have many an addict friend(including myself) and I understand what it means to constantly to fight off the demons and it will be that way until I die. You have written the story well and I will take this with me.

[Treo LeGigeo]

Thank you very much.

Submit to AA, I didn't realise we could do that. What exactly do you mean?

[eatmills]

Well I can"t say for sure how to do it, but AA does have a web site perhaps start there.

[DeliriousCerises]

This is a great piece for exemplifying what addiction is to many people. And the endless battle they fight to over-come it, and to stay above it. Here it was alcohol, but really it could've been anything. It's a universal feeling when fighting this battle. Not only it the message clear, but the delivery is almost poetic, even thought it is still a story. The repetition simulates the obsession of those addicted. And what I think I love most is the end. This man has won this battle, though the war is not over. And every little victory matters. Great job, strong, beautiful piece.

[Archia]

I really enjoyed this, it was just... great. It was good that it ended on a positive note, halfway through I was hoping that he would say no. I liked how it showed the story of this man and then how he's changed, and how his journey is still going, and for the better to.

[emma]

this was truly amazing, and inspiring. it was a different kind of write, and i really liked that:) this was just incredibly...whats the word...empowering. it shows that you can choose not to take the drink, and that the battle is never really lost. great write.

[Viet Pham]

If that was an experiment, you definitely nailed it. Very unique and captivating.

[Night]

One word. Wow,

[Jazique]

Grammar and punctuation are wonderful; something about the second sentence but, excellent writing all and all. It was truly amazing speaking for those who have fought any kind of addiction trying to bring themselves back into the real world instead of the one thats breaking. You really captured how so many people are struggling day after to fight urges to drink, to smoke, to eat, to not eat, and really anything that causes a threat to lives or those of other around but, most of these people are tempted everyday by the simplest words. As you showed at the end though when it comes to our and the last show down to get your freedom of will power back all we need to do is say "No thanks,.." Well done and keep up the incredible writings. You seem to have a gift for story telling no matter what the situation may be. Bravo.

[BrynnaW.]

Very sad until the very end. I loved it! Keep on writing!