When social drinking turns into dependence
Mike Wessels may not have hit rock bottom, but he was very aware alcohol had become a problem. GEA’s employee benefit program, Quit Genius, made all the difference.
“By the time you hit a breaking point, you’ve already known for a while,” says Mike Wessels, area sales manager at GEA Appliances. “I knew I had a problem with alcohol. I just wasn’t ready to address it.”
From the outside looking in, you wouldn’t have known. He was exercising, advancing at work, and maintaining his home life.
But Mike knew.
His drinking had gone from bad to worse during the pandemic. What had been once-a-week intoxication became daily.
“I didn’t feel desperate enough to begin attending local meetings for alcoholics,” says Mike. “It wasn’t dramatic, but it was catching up to me. I knew I needed to get a handle on it.”
Mike began trying a few different apps to scale back his alcohol intake. He talked to his primary care physician. Nothing seemed to help.
“Cutting back doesn’t work for addiction,” says Mike. “I needed actual, tangible help to make the change.”
The postcard that arrived right on time.
After a few discouraging months, a postcard arrived in the mail announcing Quit Genius, a GEA employee benefit program aimed to help curb addiction.
“The timing was providential,” says Mike. “I’d already tried to cut back and failed. I called right away. I guess you could say I was motivated, but it would have been harder for me to quit than the effort it took to keep going.”
The process was simple. Mike consulted with a physician and began taking a prescription to help curb addiction. He downloaded the Quit Genius app for well-written education and daily reflection. He checked in regularly with a Quit Genius counselor. It wasn’t long before Mike was all in.
“I felt great. I was sleeping great. I had less anxiety,” says Mike.
The benefits came on so quickly, that Mike never looked back.
“I don’t think there’s ever a quick fix or just one single solution,” says Mike. “But Quit Genius works because it’s lots of solutions rolled into one— counseling, daily reflection, physician consultation, and medication mailed right to my doorstep.”
In fact, Mike feels so good, so free, that he’s motivated to help others who may be in the same boat.
“I’m not afraid to tell my story,” says Mike. “I know there are a lot of people out there feeling the way I felt. I’m so thankful GEA offers Quit Genius. I want people to know they have options, to know there’s something available to us that works.”
Most of Mike’s life looks about the same, but Mike can feel the difference. His last drink was Sept. 9, 2022, and his happiness quotient is up.
“I’m more grateful than I’ve ever been,” says Mike. “And that changes your job, your marriage, your sleep—really, everything.”
Practically speaking, Mike has followed #sobercurious on social media for encouragement to stay the course. He reads from the Reframe app daily, reflecting on his journey. From Quit Genius, Mike’s learned how to navigate social situations with sobriety.
“I’ve learned most people don’t care whether or not I’m drinking,” says Mike. “But I do. And I’m much more enjoyable, much more level, much happier … sober.”
Ready to quit? Know someone who is? GE Appliances fully covers the cost of Quit Genius for all employees, spouses/partners, and dependents over the age of 18 who are enrolled in a GEA health plan. Enroll in Quit Genius today!