We've been hearing a lot about drunken behavior at parties lately, and it reminded me of my own struggle with alcoholism.

When I'd drink beyond that invisible line and entered the twilight zone of blackouts, I had to rely on others to tell me what crazy things I did, how I embarrassed myself or how I got home.

This opinion piece, in a roundabout way, is about someone whose heavy drinking actually provided the means to a successful career, but only after he addressed his problem.

Recently, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh opened up about his alcoholism at Lowell Houses's annual breakfast celebrating recovery. Attended by hundreds of substance-abuse experts, political and civic leaders and fellow people in recovery, Mayor Walsh described himself as an alcoholic, explaining that the disease brought him to his knees and prompted him to seek help.

The answer for Walsh was asking for help and working his 12-step program a day at a time. He told people in the room that if alcohol was a problem and they got help and worked the program, "Life gets better."

And it did for him. In 1995, he said he was a loser, but just two years after entering recovery, he was elected state representative and then went on to win the race to become Boston's mayor. The key being he started winning, and in more ways than just his popular career.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420