Charlene goes back to the booze

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Charlene goes back to the booze

3News NZ

Charlene detoxed from alcohol, but she is back on it again

Charlene detoxed from alcohol, but she is back on it again

There was a phenomenal response to last night's special programme dedicated to Charlene, a 46-year-old alcoholic from Christchurch.

Many of you wrote it to say how brave she was for sharing her story and inviting our cameras in as she detoxed off alcohol.

Sadly today Charlene has admitted that in spite of a successful detox, she's begun drinking again.

Watch Natasha Utting’s update.

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Comments

13/10/2012 2:55:26 p.m.

Taine wrote:

Achohole is not good!

21/09/2012 6:36:19 p.m.

BERNARD MAHONEY wrote:

you guys simply do not understand its a demon a devil in her thats why she cant give up drinking .

18/09/2012 11:02:43 a.m.

Monique wrote:

Impeccabily put juliet Bonnay. what is useful is to consider that what I am doing is useful, kind, & true, also to focus on oneself. Useful virtues be is it gracious, appropriate, ethical, have unattachment to my expectations, & forgive myself for hoping things could be different, lastly through adversity we learn about ourself, & our strengths, & weaknesses.

18/09/2012 9:58:57 a.m.

Andy wrote:

I wouldlike to commend Charlene on her efforts , many friends of mine with alcohol problems have had relapses , in fact most of them , without sufficient support , undertanding and assistance to resolve not only the alcohol addiction/dependence , but underlying problems related to the alcohol problem it is an almost impossible battle , acceptance and support of others in unconditional andnon judgemental way is very beneficialto people like Charlene , I hope she will try again to battle with the issues which are so debilitating to her ,and that she will get sufficient supportto eventually succeed . As a society we need to get behind people like Charline to assist them to regain self esteem and quality of life . I emplore others to offer non judgemental and unconditional support to anyone they may know who is battling such a problem . And to listen to her reality to gain understanding so that she can be supported into a successful recovery .

17/09/2012 10:05:14 p.m.

Athena Cotidis wrote:

She stated that she drinks to deal with deep-seated issues. This is what needs to be addressed.

16/09/2012 8:56:54 p.m.

julie wrote:

i can not express in words the heartache i fell for charlene and how brave she is to have gone on your show , i wish her all the best fighting her demons , this is what iknow them to be , also i also agree with juliet bonnay , she has nailed it .

16/09/2012 6:20:59 p.m.

Glenn wrote:

I have been using drugs and alcohol for the last 21yrs. I did a detox and picked up a week later. I lasted another 5 months then hit rock bottom. With the support of AA, NA, CADs medical detox, Higher Ground Rehab for 4 1/2 months and then Wings trust I am now 9 months clean. I now know I could not do this on my own and know I can never use again. If I want a life I am happy with I have to work on this everyday. God or a higher power helps some people, at the end of the day what I do in my life is my choice. Take action and you will get results. Make good choices and good things happen. Fact

16/09/2012 12:56:57 a.m.

Linda wrote:

Nadine, Deb Cole, Esther & Arron. Thank you so much for commentary and insights, i am trying to support a friend that is an alcoholic. I have never been close to this issue before and I'm learning very quick about this issue. You have backed up some of the things I'm seeing with my friend and that she seems to slip through cracks in a fractured system to support alcoholics. I will be going to my first Al Anon meeting this week. Hopefully I learn more and know what to do and what not to do. The segment on TV was great to watch as I just looked and saw a replica of my friends life. Charlene I wish you all the best for your recovery. Kia kaha.

15/09/2012 9:42:51 p.m.

Juliet Bonnay wrote:

The reason why Charlene and many people like her cannot give up alcohol is because when they do a detox the underlying cause of their pain in not addressed. On this program Charlene made it clear that she drank because of "pain". This is the reason why people drink and do drugs: they are trying to numb pain, and usually that pain is emotional. This pain is very often free-floating anxiety attached to underlying childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect. If a child has been subjected to years of abuse - especially physical and sexual abuse and neglect, this can cause anxiety disorders known as post-traumatic stress disorder, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or generalized anxiety disorder. Many people who start drinking or taking drugs, or even smoking, do so to self-medicate the anxiety caused by years of abuse. And because the anxiety is free-floating, they cannot identify its cause. Just one drink can alleviate the pain of anxiety. When it returns, another drink is needed, and so on. As the alcohol becomes less effective at relieving this "pain", more and more is needed until it becomes an addiction that is almost impossible to free oneself from. The reason why people keep relapsing is because they do not have the internal strength and courage needed to face the pain of their past and the abuse that is too often hidden within it. Because there is so much shame attached to addiction of any kind, and also the underlying pain of abuse, it makes it almost impossible for a person to learn to love themselves, which is what is required before they can face their pain and work through it to integrate it. And even then, as in the case of having chronic PTSD, the anxiety may never fully remit. Many people are caught in this most insideous trap through no fault of their own, but because of this society's inability to grapple with the very dark side of child abuse and the ripple effect it creates right through our society. Until each person starts facing the skeletons in their closet, New Zealand will continue to feed drug and alcohol abuse and addiction because of the blind eye it turns on too many children's suffering. Sadly, this is a truth that this country is not yet able to face.

15/09/2012 4:21:15 p.m.

Esther wrote:

I have been a (high functioning) alcoholic for 20 yrs. I really want to quit as it is having a really bad effect on my family. I have put some measures in place for next week, and thought I would detox at home over the weekend. I was finding it hard and rang the A&D line, and was told I should have a few drinks as it would be dangerous for me to do this alone. Seems like conflicting advice, but would that be the way to go until Monday when I can see someone?