I am a 61-year-old Christian man of God, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a brother. My name is Donnie “Donskie” Bolena, and I have spent over forty years in the school of hard knocks—a university where the tuition is paid in pain, regret, and near-death experiences. For most of those years, I thought I was simply living life to the fullest. I didn't realize that I was actually engaging in a raging battle that was slowly stealing my mind, my soul, and my life.

I want to thank everyone for all of your prayers and support: my sweet beautiful wife Suzanne, my children Cherrish, Chandler, and Colton, my parents Wayne and Sharon, my siblings Rhonda, Rana, and Carlton, my family, my friends, my doctors, my pastor, and most of all my heavenly Father and the greatest Doctor ever, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. This book is my testimony, but it is also a warning. Alcoholism is a thief that doesn't just take your time; it takes your clarity, your physical health, and your spirit. By the grace of God, I am still here to tell this story, but the road here was paved with the devastating consequences of addiction. In the book that follows, I will guide you through the grim reality of this disease, helping you recognize the warning signs before it consumes everything you hold dear. My journey has shown me that recovery is possible, but it begins with understanding the enemy we face.