A SPRING COLD

Anyone for an almost full bottle of NyQuil free?

I have one to give away, and there is quite a story behind it.

It began on our vacation-winter-break to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. On a coolish 60+ degree day at 7 in the morning I had decided to go for a swim in the 80 degree pool, and then down to the beach to walk along the ocean to enjoy the early morning.

Well, as you might know I was chilled and caught one hell of a cold, and the next evening when it came into full bloom I went to the drugstore for something to alleviate the agony, and make my vacation more enjoyable.

I looked for neo-citron, which comes in powder, however, the natives in this part of the U.S. had never heard of it. I was advised to use several potions which of course were chuck full of codeine, a drug that I steadfastly refuse to use, because I think I can handle a little bit of pain without running to such a drug, which incidentally is supposed to be quite habit forming.

Turning down several cold remedies I decided to go along with some advertising, seen on television and therefore selected NyQill, a green fluid which comes with a plastic shot glass, which holds the right amount, an ounce of the medicine.

Back at the motel room, at bedtime I sat down to take some of this elixer whch "relieves major cold symptoms for hours, to let you get the restful sleep your body needs."

Well, it was just like the good old days as I relaxed, and threw back the shot glass full. In fact it even tasted like booze I thought. Suddenly I felt a cold chill run down my back. I ran to the NyQuil box and hurriedly read over all the small print, and there it was! In small letters on the side of the box below some long unintelligable words under the heading "active ingredients", alcohol 25%!

Now for the ordinary Joe this is not problem, for doesn't a little shot come in handy when one is suffering the agony of a cold?

But, for me, full of Antabuse for the past six years, it presented a potential disaster.

What should I do? Having heard of seizures and hsopitalization after drinking on Antabuse, I was a little worried. There probably wasn't enough alcohol in that drink to cause any serious problems, but should I try to do anything to avoid any minor problems?

I tried to bring the alcohol up by inserting my fingers down my throat, but this only caused a massive nose-bleed, which only forced me to give up this plan of attack because I don't particularly like the sight of blood, whether it is mine or not.

I went back to the bed, and sat down wto ponder whether I was likely to go into a seizure, or what? Probably my over reaction was causing most of the minor panic feelings I was experiencing.

My wife Diane then came into the picture and brought me back down to earth by saying that it probably wouldn't cause me any more than some minor discomfort, and for God's sake lie down and go to sleep.

Which I did, and in the morning felt quite a bit better.

In spite of this brief problem, I still believe in the taking of Antabuse, and will continue to do so as long as I wish to remain sober, which is, I hope, for the rest of my life.

Antabuse has helped me in gauging my moods, and measuring my desire to drink, and has made the daily decision not to drink a little bit easier.

It will be six years next month since I had my last drink, but it is not the time to become complacent. I must continue to realize that I am one-drink away from a lot of problems. Contrary to all those great doctors, and so-called responsible psychologists who say alcoholics can return to social drinking, I still think an alcoholic must not drink ever again.

Antabuse is just another aid to remaining sober, such as attend A.A. and completing the Donwood programme.

Try it! It can work for you!

It has for me.

DON FELSTEAD

DON SAYS: I wrote this article for the Donwood Newsletter in May of 1975. I have remained true to my vow to stay sober up to todays date in 2009.