Until a few years ago, I had never even heard the word “doppelganger.” Honestly, it sounded like something out of an Al Capone movie. Being a fan of Scarface, the word caught my ear when I heard some coworkers discussing it. However, as they explained what it actually meant—a ghostly “double” or clone of yourself—I felt the blood drain from my face.
I knew exactly what they were talking about.
A Typical Teenage Night
My sister and I were raised by a single mother who worked incredibly hard to provide for us without any help. We lived in a mobile home community that was a safe haven for a group of unsupervised teenage boys. We didn’t cause much trouble, but eventually, we discovered alcohol and other vices.
I don’t remember every detail of that particular day, but I remember there was plenty of Jack Daniel’s involved. We were bored, hanging out, and getting wasted. According to my cousin, I stood up suddenly and announced I needed to go outside.
The Confrontation
I remember stumbling through the park toward my home. As I turned a corner, I walked right into someone.
It was me.
He steadied me on my feet and looked me dead in the eye. He smiled and said simply, “Go home.” Terrified and confused, I did exactly what he said.
A Life-Changing Realization
For years, I told myself I had simply hallucinated because I was too drunk. While that remains a real possibility, hearing the definition of a doppelganger changed my perspective. Whether it was a hallucination or a true doppelganger encounter, the experience scared me so deeply that I never drank like that again.
I still carry the fear that if I drink too much, I’ll bump into myself again. In a way, I guess I saved my own life. If I had continued down that path, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. Sometimes, you have to look yourself in the eye to realize it’s time for a change.
