My Drug And Alcohol Problem?

I hope you can learn from my mistakes!

My Drug And Alcohol Problem! NeedEncouragement.com

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When I first experimented with drugs and alcohol, I never imagined that it would get so out of control. Alcohol and drugs were like a best friend, yet like my worst enemy, but why did I still use them? It was not that I was not warned; I just seemed to let my curiosity and lust for excitement get the better of me.

I Thought I Was Smart By Not Jumping Into Drugs Or Alcohol Because I Was Trying To Protect My “So Called” Basketball Career. But I Experimented With Drugs In My 8th Grade Summer, But Stayed Away Until My Sophomore Summer When All I Wanted To Do Was To Drink, Smoke, And Party. That Is When The Many Problems With Family, Friends, Police, School, And Depression Began. If You Were Wise, You Would Learn From My Mistakes And Stay Clean And Sober!

It appears that I had to learn the hard way; I hope you do not have to make the same mistake I did, or if you already made a mistake, I hope you can get out of it as I did before too much damage has been done. I pray that today is the day you will overcome drugs and alcohol! I encourage you to understand that you can get out of that lifestyle and have a new life in Christ.  I did, and I thank God for that often. I was in bondage, but I have been set free! You, too, can find the same type of freedom I found in Christ. ~ Bill Greguska
1 Peter 4:3  For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

 

Drugs And Alcohol Messed Up My Basketball Life!

 

 

I Never Figured That My Drug And Alcohol Problem Would Get So Bad!

My Drug And Alcohol Problem Got Out Of Control! NeedEncouragement.com

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Don’t Go Through Your Addiction Alone, Get Help!God helped me with my drug and alcohol problem! NeedEncouragement.com

If you find yourself struggling with addiction, know that there is hope and help available. You do not have to go through this alone. The first step towards recovery is admitting that you need it, and turning your will over to God. Ask Him for deliverance from the demon of addiction through prayer – His love and power can work miracles in your life. I understand how difficult it can be; I’ve been there myself, trying to fight my battles with my strength but ultimately falling short. But don’t give up! Keep fighting, keep praying, and keep pushing forward toward healing and freedom from addiction.

It’s a journey that takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. Know that many others have gone before you on this road of recovery – reach out to them for support if needed! Remember: You Need Recovery – but with God’s help and the encouragement of those around you, it is possible to overcome addiction and live a fulfilling life in sobriety. I know because it has happened to me. ~ Bill Greguska

 

Addiction Resources:

 

 

Yes, I Admit I Needed Help Badly!

When I was 13 years, living in Milwaukee, I started using alcohol and drugs, mainly out of curiosity and peer pressure, living in Milwaukee.
My drug and alcohol problem by the time I was 16 was beginning to spiral downward, and it took ten years to get myself out of it with God’s help. It was not until I was 26 that I realized I needed help badly, and things started to work out. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired! I was very fortunate and blessed to recover from my alcohol. Drug abuse was considerable problems in my life were a big problem in my life that I was very fortunate and blessed to recover from. Can you relate to my story yet?
Thank God for setting me free from alcohol and drugs on June 25, 1986. ~ Bill Greguska.

Why I Exchange Basketball, For Drugs And Alcohol?

As a teen and even younger, I loved basketball and dreamed of playing college basketball; it was very competitive, and so was I. But, I thought the Marijuana and alcohol I was using did not affect my ability to play; I made myself believe that which was not true.

Then the summer before my junior year at Pius XI High School, my addiction caught up with me, and I became very depressed.  I started experimenting with new drugs like inhalants, cocaine, and acid.  I started getting into trouble at home and with the law–and I pretty much enjoyed basketball, but my drug and alcohol problem was more than I bargained for! Addiction and sin took me further than I wanted to go. It kept me there longer than I wanted to stay and cost me more than I was willing to pay.
Addiction seemed exciting and relaxed as a teen, but it did not take too long to realize it would take me further, keep me longer, and cost me more than I imagined when I first started experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Hine site is 20-20, and now, looking; back, I made some very foolish decisions. Now I hope to encourage others and share what drugs and alcohol did to me to not happen to you. I did not plan to become addicted; I do not think anyone plans to become an attic.

My Basketball Dreams Went Up In Smoke!

I smoked away the dreams I had about playing basketball in college. So when I hear that some people say Marijuana is not harmful, I have to disagree!  When I realized how depressed I was before my junior year started, I didn’t want to waste my mom’s money on school clothes because I wasn’t sure I’d be around long enough to wear them. It was hard because I kept thinking about checking out this life early.  Substance abuse made me depressed, and I was losing hope.
I made the Pius XI varsity high school basketball team, I believe, because of my previous good performance and reputation on the freshman and JV teams.  Junior year was a long, challenging year for me. Basketball was no longer a good thing!  All my dreams of playing college ball were destroyed because of drugs and alcohol.

 

Do You Have A Marijuana Problem?

 

 

Is Drinking Alcohol A Sin?

Alcohol isn’t inherently sinful. I believe drinking is fine as long as it’s done in moderation. I think this is what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches getting drunk is a sin. “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21 ESV).

This passage demonstrates that those who make habitual practice things are not saved. In particular, it lists drunkenness as one of these “works of the flesh.” “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one,” (1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV).

This passage tells us that we’re not supposed to associate with a professing Christian if they habitually practice these things and don’t repent. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18 ESV). This verse clearly states not to get drunk with wine. This doesn’t mean we can get drunk with other types of alcohol, though. We must read the Bible as a whole and not isolate one verse when forming beliefs.

What Does The Bible Say About Drinking Beer?

There aren’t any Bible verses that directly mention beer. This doesn’t mean getting drunk with beer is permitted, though. As mentioned earlier, the Bible prohibits getting drunk altogether.

Be Wise, And Don’t Tempt Yourself.

Don’t tempt yourself if you have a past with alcohol and have difficulty controlling how much you drink. I’d advise not drinking alcohol at all. Yes, it’s not necessarily a sin to have a drink. But if you struggle with self-control, don’t drink at all. Don’t tempt yourself. It’s easy to say you’ll only have one drink, but it’s harder to carry that out when you have passed drinking too much. So, it’s not a sin to drink, but it is a sin to drink excessively. It’s also a sin for anything to become an addiction or be a stumbling block to others. We need to be wise when and if we drink.

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV).

 

How To Recover From Alcohol Addiction?

Anyone Can Fall Into The Trap Of Addiction!

I was never really a “bad person,” but I made terrible choices.  These choices were making things very difficult for me.
I understood that the sin was actively living within me that I was following–that human inclination to do what we want to do rather than finding out what our Creator has made us be.  It wasn’t until the Spirit of God started to influence me that I finally came to terms with it.  By that time, a lot of damage was done already, but God refused to give up on me.
Despite my unwillingness to cooperate, I thank God that He kept putting people in my life to help guide and direct me.  First, my mom and then counselors helped get me back on the right track. The journey back was a long road.  Looking back, it was not until I was 26 that I finally surrendered and gained victory over my addictions. That was when God began helping me see things much more clearly.  He empowered me through others trying to help me and praying for me.

The AA And NA Program

I was admitted to a few different short-term treatment centers and attended AA and NA to get my problem under control.  Unfortunately, for me as soon as I left the 30-day treatment centers, I would get back into my addictions. It was a terrible vicious cycle, like a nightmare that I could not break until I went into long-term treatment.
This cycle of dependency lasted many years, at times more severe than others.  I kept wishing that the pain in my life would all stop.  It was like a nightmare.  It was not until I went to a long-term treatment center that things finally improved. I wish others could learn from my drug and alcohol problem and get out of it or, better yet, not get into it. At that time, I allowed God to make me into the person He created me to be.  It continues to be a process, but now He is in control, not the drugs and alcohol.

My Second Chance Came!

Being clean and sober since June 25, 1986, my life has made a turnabout. Praise God! Of course, there are still other problems to deal with, but for the most part, when God took away the desire to use or drink, that was my ticket out of the prison I made for myself.
I have been working and have some good people in my life that I call my friends. What more could I ask for? It may not be your fault that you became addicted to alcohol and drugs.  But it is your responsibility to reach out for the help you need.  There is help for you like there was for me if alcohol and drugs are hurting your life.  ~ Bill Greguska

 

What Does It Mean To Be Addicted To Alcohol?

 

Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:

Proverbs 20:1 ESV 

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 23:29-35 ESV

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end, it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. 

Ephesians 5:18 ESV 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 Peter 5:8 ESV 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Romans 14:21 ESV 

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

 

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