I first began to drink in college, using alcohol to modify my mood in social situations and to "join in the fun." Over time, I began to look forward to meals, to outings, and to business travel because of the opportunities they gave me to drink. Sometimes I even changed my schedule to make sure a day included time for alcohol. Although I didn't recognize it, drinking had begun to affect my priorities.
During this time, I also smoked cigarettes occasionally. I'd tried many times to quit this habit, but hadn't been successful. Then, when my marriage ended in divorce, I started to drink and smoke even more in an effort to find relief from the mental pain I was feeling. Instead of helping me, though, the alcohol only made things worse.
My parents suggested I call a Christian Science practitioner to pray with me about my turmoil over the divorce. At first, I resisted the idea. I hadn't been an active student of Christian Science for years. But finally, after a particularly low day, I decided to give it a try.
