One of my patients wrote an anonymous “letter to alcohol” that I would like to share with you:
Dear Alcohol,
-a.k.a. tequila, gin, rum, beer, vodka, whisky, sake and any other aliases I may have missed-
I am writing to say my final farewell to you once and for all.
We parted ways 141 days ago when I walked out the door, hoping you wouldn’t notice. You must have seen me leave because it wasn’t long before you started begging me to come back. You promised that this time would be different.
You were right. This time it is different. It’s no longer only me on the other end of the line. I’ve spent the last three months with many of your past loves, people who have broken up with you countless times. People who have learned to resist your charms.
They have taught me to do the same and I’m proud to say that I’m not coming back this time, choosing to forget all the pain and despair you’ve brought me over the past 30 years.
I know now how cunning, baffling and powerful you can be when you want to have your way with me. I’ve finally realized that I’m not as special as you said l was. You tried to convince me that I was the only one but the truth is there are many, just like me, whom you have left broken hearted.
You are never welcome in my life again. I already know what you’re going to say because I’ve heard it before: “What about the fun we had together?” Sure, there were good times, especially in the beginning when you were trying to make a good impression.
But those memories quickly faded as your true colours began to come through. Your jovial mask came off and revealed the evil lurking beneath. I am no longer afraid of you because I’m no longer afraid of myself.
You only had power over me when I was powerless and unable to defend myself. You only prey on the weak and the vulnerable. You are a coward.
I will do everything in my power to expose you for the fraud that you are. I will join the others and help strengthen and support those unfortunate ones whom you’ve harmed with your lies and false promises.
We will continue to shine our light into your world of darkness until eventually it will simply cease to exist. I know that in the end love will prevail because it always does.
