Alcohol and substance abuse or any other addictions will not take away your problems and fears. In the short run, they might make you feel better, but in the long run these addictions will only make things worse.

So what do you do to make your problems and fears go away? Well, since you can’t runaway from them, then the best solution is to tackle your fears head on no matter how strong they may be. The key is to be smart in how you try to manage these fears. Here are some ways in how to manage your persistent fears and anxieties.

Imagine a five year old watching his parents drinking this liquid stuff from bottles and cans and thinking to himself, that looks like fun. This was my introduction to Alcohol; thinking it was fun, never knowing the roller coaster ride I would go on for the next 23 years of my life. Looking back on my life, I remember seeing the fights, arguments, cursing, and finally the separation of my parents. Alcohol was a normal occurrence in my young existence.

On June 30, 1985, I drank my last drink and used the last illicit drug. Although my alcohol and drug use had not run for many years, I was very lost. I had tried to stop using on my own, again and again for some time frame I will never be clear about. But what I did know was that I could not stop drinking once I began. It was like my brain, my will and my spirit just propelled me to use as much as I could.

The Rev’d Hugh Tudor-Foley is by calling an Episcopal Priest. He is in long-term recovery as a grateful recovering alcoholic.

This is his story.

My life as an adolescent was as normal as the next kid on the block. I had a great relationship with my parents, and they were genuine at heart and cared about their children more than themselves. I can honestly say through my experiences in my past relationship with my wife that your parents reflect on your decision-making, and parenting qualities. My dad always taught me to give as much as I can to others and he always wished that I would be alcohol free just like him. Unfortunately it didn’t happen that way for me.

It was well past midnight when Lois came to with a start. A loud noise from downstairs had awakened her. The bedside lamp was still on, and the novel she had been reading lay across her chest. She sat up and listened. Then she heard another noise, like something being pushed across a carpet, followed by those familiar grunts and groans and loud curse words. She didn’t have to hear anything more to know that her husband had finally arrived home, and in his usual condition.

Please watch "Teens At Risk", which addresses the problems with youth and drugs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KALm2hPjPk&feature=rec-HM-r2

Hi my name is Thomas and I am an addict in recovery.

I was born in 1967 and I have a sister that is 3 years older than me and she is still using today.