Just got a call from a couple AA's to tell me "E" died this afternoon. He was about 23 and been battling the disease for 4 or 5 yrs. We'd seen him come and go.... He'd come to a meeting, pick up a white chip, then go to a bar, then come to a meeting, pick up a white chip then go to a bar.....He'd shared recently that this time he would not drink ever again......I was told that he died from basically an overdose of MOUTHWASH! He'd seen an episode of Intervention and that person would drink mouthwash when they couldn't get liquor! (he apparently had told his sponsor about this). 42 empty mouthwash bottles found so far.....
How sad.....How horrible...How frightening.....How it pisses me the Fuck off!!!! So, thought I'd post the dangers of ingesting mouthwash for those who might need it personally or might need it to help another.......
While many types of mouthwashes contain low amounts of alcohol, some may contain up to 27% ethanol. This is a very high amount when considering most beer and malt beverages contain between 3-5% alcohol.
The side effects of drinking ethanol-based mouthwash vary depending on the alcohol potency and the amount of mouthwash ingested. Symptoms can include any of the following: collapse, convulsions, excessive sweating and thirst, slurred speech, inability to control motor functions, deep breathing, slowed respirations, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pains, dizziness, and/or drowsiness. Many mouthwashes have been **denatured. That is, they have been chemically changed by adding other ingredients to make the mouthwash undrinkable. This may not stop some people from drinking mouthwash, if they are desperate enough.
**Denatured makes it sound like they take out of alcohol whatever's normally in it that gets you drunk, but in fact all they do is put other stuff in to make it undrinkable (except by the truly desperate) and in some cases poisonous. Why denature, you ask? Because the potable natural version is subject to federal excise tax, whereas the denatured kind isn't. "Completely denatured alcohol" is virtually impossible to render into a drinkable beverage--it may contain kerosene, among other things. "Specially denatured alcohol" such as that used in Listerine receives less radical treatment, although some SDA formulas do contain methyl (wood) alcohol, which if ingested often or copiously enough can cause blindness, organ damage, and death.
In case of an emergency, call 911 or Poison Control. SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY!
-- Edited by Doll at 18:57, 2008-02-23
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
that's awful. hard to believe that the government allows products that like to be on the market. I've gotta admit that I've swished mouthwash around in my mouth a couple times in sobriety and never thought twice about it. kerosene added? that's ridiculous, it'd probably give you cancer over time. we had a girl in my home group when I first moved to FL in '92 that went to the hospital several times after taking all kinds of over the counter medications trying to get high. nice girl, a model, just couldn't believe how self destructive she was. she finally did get sober a decade later and called me out of the blue. thanks for posting this Doll, I had no idea how horrible that stuff is.
When I was in my teens there was a woman older than I who had lost her both of her parents in an auto-train accident. She was still living with them and now she seemed all alone. I thought it'd be nice for her to have a husband. Well she did get married, they had two children, and he drank. They lived in her parents home so rather than leave she kicked him out. He was allowed to visit the children anytime. Over the years the local taverns shut him down as requested by the family. That did not stop him neither did no license. The Listerine you spoke of ....... to this day when I think of him I can also "smell" him. He missed alot in his lifetime but somehow ALWAYS managed to be at church sitting in that back pew. Anyone within 4 rows in front of him knew when he had arrived. It was awful. I don't know how much he'd ingest....a 1/2 bottle, a bottle, 4-5. I can only tell you it was such a sad plight....... He, of course died, in his late 30's. I'm sorry for this young man's family. Yes, it pisses me off too. Yet like what goes on with in my own personal family......I have no control over another's action!!!! We know alcohol in any form can be a killer! My own opinion......as long as the government is making big bucks off the taxes.......alcohol/bars/taverns/nightclubs will be......and it doesn't make a bit of difference how many lives are destroyed! Prayers and hugs for you and your group. Keep fighting the good fight and maybe just maybe.........one day. Wanda
Thanks for sharing Doll! Hate that he was so young! What a waste! My prayers out to you all! Stuff like this does keep me sober!
I did see that episode your referring to...She was a young mom with three kids, very sad. I really didnt realize mouthwash could do that to you! Yuck!
Lani
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Lost a friend to near beer. O'douls I think. Found him dead on non alcoholic beer.
Sorry you had to watch another one die. Its part of living with this disease is watching it kill. Sometimes overcoming the self destructive part of this disease is harder than shaking the alcohol itself. The only thing I can recall that ever helped me overcome this was the idea that God might have better plans for me than I had for myslef. I've been ridiculed a few times that I might be crazy to think God wanted to help me or had any plnas for me but I've held onto this cause it seems so important.
In an odd sort of way, I don't think any of these people die in vain. I think that for every fallen soldier, many more stay sober/clean as a result. May they finally rest in peace.
ps, I now use the new Crest alcohol free mouthwash, every bit helps
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Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~Buddha
Reading a great book "A window to Heaven"...Diane Komp
About "when children see life in death" Wonderful message!
Quote from the book sums it up for me:
"Has all this suffering, this dying around us, a meaning? For, if not, then ultimately there is no meaning to survival: for a life whose meaning depends upon such a happenstance-as whether one escapes or not-ultimately would not be worth living at all."
Pretty much sums it up for me!
To answer Tugboats question: What made me want to live? I can recall not to long ago that it really didnt matter to me either way! Sure, I was afraid to die but the life I was living really wasnt a life at all! Was I suicidal? Maybe at times when the alcohol creeped in and made me think it didnt matter either way! Today, I am happy to say I am glad Im alive! I have alot to live for! My beautiful family, my HP and you know what, even me!!! What a great feeling!
I too feel we all have a purpose, whatever it may be, we'll never really know! Somewhere back in my childhood I remember thinking: If only I could make a difference in one person life, I will then be complete! Its nice to have that person back! oooooLani
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
In an odd sort of way, I don't think any of these people die in vain. I think that for every fallen soldier, many more stay sober/clean as a result. May they finally rest in peace.
Let's hope not anyway. The turning point in my sobriety (after 2 years of trying) was when my best drinkin/drugging buddy OD'ed and died. I had survivors guilt as I felt that he was a better person than I was. He had dozens of friends, many would show up at his house on fri/sat nights and hang out (myself included) so when he died, I thought "why not me?". That question has been answered and at that time I did dedicate my sobriety to his memory and to honor him by not letting his death be in vain. Now I believe that the reason he died was because he was popular and it sent a message to more people that this is a deadly disease and not a game. Since then at least 6 more of that crowd are dead.
An old friend lost his 18 year old son in december. The turnout was huge and I asked the same question as I watched hundreds of young people struggle with the reality of mortality. I came to the same conclusion Dean. His popularity could send the message to so many more people..
I lost quite a few to alcohol in high school and early drinking. For me to get a bed in rehab, they had to bring down a girl off a rope. Watched a lot die as I came in Two guys stuck in my mind. One an oldtimer and another a new guy. The new guy always looked great and well groomed, dressed and accesorized on the outside and I learned you can't fix the insides by workin on the outsides. The older gent died of somewhat alcohol related wear and tear. It taught me that getting sober didn't mean we had got on a free ride. We do a lot of damage out there. I can't recall a death hurting more than his.. I still say goodbye when I drive past him.:)
that's true tuggboat, my first and greatest sponser died of lung cancer 16 years after he got sober and quit smoking. I gave up drinking, smoking, and drugs at the same time and have prayed fairly steadily that the wreckage of that past would not come to collect as it did for John.
Gentlemen, It was only in early Dec. that my AH's nephew took his life. Had got a DUI less than 48 hrs. before. Had had a motorcycle accident in May of the same year (2007) which left him out of work because of rehab for many mos. He was given an opportunity yet he didn't see it. Did his actions/story/life send messages to his peers/drinking buddies? Sad to say... none that I am aware of. My own sons were close to him as was my daughter. Sons were pallbearers. I watched at the back of the congregation their faces. Stoic!!!! As if they were concrete statues put there to stand guard. It effected them deeply yet not enough to quit drinking. And their father.......still guzzles.....regardless that his health is facing yet another crisis. (This death being the 2nd alcohol related, the first in '82 was AH's brother....also alcohol/suicide.) With exception of a few, at this services the crowd wore casual (blue jeans) and those who wanted rode in a procession of motorcycles. Many of these people were the "good timin' buddies. They even played Waylon, Garth, Willie at the service in leiu of the normal music! After the meal.....on to the tavern or father's home where the cans popped open. And it seemed not a one took into consideration there was a connection to all that had happened. Fast forward.......there is being planned a fundraiser for the family at a tavern. Poker run sort of thing and other raffles. And the alcohol will continue to flow......... I can only pray, that yes, this was not all in vain and that unbeknowst to me there are those who have begun the journey of sobriety.
The lessons are not lost on those of us willing to look for them. Mostly, this means AA members. Those outside the program are still looking for new ways to put on blinders to the truth.
