Fre is fun! Cheers!

I want to talk about something that has been going on a couple years now. The topic comes up off and on anytime I see someone I haven't seen in a while but lately it has been coming up for other reasons so I would like to talk about it and explain why something strange and scary has turned out to be a real blessing.  Maybe it can even help someone too. 

About two years ago I was at a networking meeting working on my second glass of wine. I don't remember much after that (no, I was not roofied by a group of mature business women). When things did start making sense again my mom was crying (which doesn't happen), I was confused, and had apparently had quite a night. Oh and had managed to drive home. I don't remember it and don't much like what I was told so I'm going to leave out the details. I thought I was losing my mind.  I could handle my wine, more than two glasses for sure. I wasn't one to black out either, even in crazy college party days. Prior to that I had been getting progressively more sick when I would have a drink, sometimes after just one, but I wasn't a fall down drunk or anything. At one point, before that fateful night, we thought it could be a gluten reaction so I cut out beer. Nope, not it. So what the heck happened?  

Before I continue let me say that I am NOT saying don't drink, I'm not anti-alcohol, not a sort of Prohibitionist. This is specific to me. I prefer people drink around me as they like, I don't want to change anyone or anyone to treat me differently. Of course be careful though. 

Okay, so anyway. The next day it was time to seek medical advice because clearly something was not right. Skipping the details of discovery it turns out to be something called Idiosyncratic Intoxication. Which actually isn't completely uncommon but lots of times people (dangerously) don't realize what has happened. It's possibly genetic but not necessarily. What happened was the alcohol and my brain decided to no longer tolerate each other even the little tiny bit they normally do.  It's basically an alcohol-related psychosis that can be cleared up without the use of alcohol.  Without alcohol, nothing similar happens in the brain, but add one fruity cocktail and boom. I just reached the right age and right time that night. It can happen again with one drink, I could have ten and it wouldn't happen. I could have ten and a week later it could happen. Worse case is that there is one major reaction and, well, let's just say it's just not worth that. Having a drink would be like Russian Roulette for me. 

It's always funny to hear how people react when they find out you can't drink. "OMG, how awful! I couldn't do it, that's terrible for you!"  Priorities people, priorities.  It's not an incurable illness, it's a lifestyle change.  You do what ya gotta do. Now let me explain why this is a blessing for me.  I don't miss it, and I did think I would. Especially at work functions and football games, but I don't. I feel better. I don't have to worry about a possible deadly reaction. I can do something at night and not have to write off the next day as a recovery period. I'm more active and I have tried other things and activities.  It's a lot cheaper to go out too!  I have learned that I can do the same things at social functions I always did and probably handle it better than I did before. Since my body isn't fighting me I'm more active. The alcohol free beer and wines are really not bad either!  I could've said, okay, this sucks, I don't want to go out and be around people that can do something I can't; but you know what, that's stupid, and selfish. You persevere.  Ignore ignorance and embrace those that care.  My little "issue" is NOTHING compared to some of the problems and adversity others face constantly. At least I have a simple solution.  I choose to learn from it, however scary it was, and move on. No reason to whine when there is nothing to whine about.  If I didn't have a "warning" episode things could've turned out a lot worse.  It's been good for me, I was lucky, I was blessed. 

I know this has been a long one but bare with me. The other day a fine lady, friend of my mom, was trying to explain to her teenager daughter the importance of not drinking because of the medicine she has to take.  My mom told her about what happened to me and thought it would help her. If it helps keep her safe then it was worth it and I can add that as another blessing as a result of my experience.  

I'd also like to say happy 50th to my cousin, Kevin!  1/2 a century if for sure a blessing!!!!! :D ;)