Up until my sobriety, I neglected my body and soul. I was an antisocial, inoperative sub-humanoid with stale-beer-odored dragon breath. My life was a cesspool, a puke-riddled pigsty and a hellhole of flotsam and jetsam. I did drugs — hardcore, illegal drugs. I drank beer and wine to the point of obliteration every night. And I didn’t care about myself or others. I was abominable scum — a dedicated flunky to drugs and alcohol.
What’s more, I chain-smoked. I didn’t exercise. I ate peanut butter for lunch and ice cream for dinner, if I ate at all. I slept 15 hours a day. Ravaging my savings and the severance I received from my layoff in 2008, I feigned searching for work and mooched off my parents. In fact, I didn’t work at all: I’d committed myself to being a full-time addict. I was a couch potato with no attention span, an alcoholic degenerate, barely paying attention to the TV while getting fucked up.
But all that, my dear readers, is in the past.
My seven-year sobriety anniversary is today! And I am more Dr. Jekyl than Mr. Hyde these days.
Instead of sleeping in until 3PM, I get up early, watch the morning news with coffee, and write. And I write some more. I take a break. And then I write more.
On the weekends, I socialize and, instead of showing up still-drunk from the night before, I spend quality time with friends and don’t continue my binge with bloody marys and Bellinis over brunch.
I could’ve died. And almost did die after a suicide attempt. Now I’m up and at ‘em and happy to be alive.
It took me these seven years to write a book about my own experiences and the throes of fellow people who have bipolar disorder. And it’s finally coming to fruition. Stay tuned: The Bipolar Addict: Drinks, Drugs, Delirium & Why Sober Is the New Cool drops this summer. I’m proud of my work. And I can’t wait to share it with you all.
I received the proof copy of The Bipolar Addict a few days ago in the mail. The book is headed to the printer now and I’ve order advance review copies (ARCs) to get my publicity campaign up and running.
This is my life in 2019. I have a sunshiny disposition and a peaceful sensibility. I have no hostility. I am earnest and honest. I’m bighearted and have a brain that’s as sharp as a shark tooth. I’m proud to be bipolar. I am #BipolarStrong.
But I still have some work to do. I have a bit of a beer gut, so I’m lifting weights and doing sit-ups at home. With my new diet, I’ve lost 10 pounds in just three weeks. And I’ve been smoke-free for exactly one week. Maybe the third time quitting is the charm.
I couldn’t be more grateful and I couldn’t have done it without the help of all of you. Seven years alcohol- and drug-free and counting. I’m feeling great. Lucky seven! Excuse me while I go buy a lottery ticket.
