Jul 01, 2001 08:29 AM
6399 Views
I can't make you quit drinking if you don't want to. You can't make me quit drinking if I don't want to. It is as simple as that.
My neighbor is an alcoholic. She drinks every day. She drinks all day long. The only time I ever see her without a beer in her hand is when she comes to my house asking me to drive her to the store for diapers because she has had too much to drink and can't drive there herself. Then, she will emerge from the store with another 6-pack in her hand.
Her drinking affects all aspects of her life. Her husband tries to get her to stop, and they fight about it constantly. Her daughters, ages 1 and 3 wake up to a mother who is so hung over she can barely crawl out of bed. Dinner is often neglected. She often forgets to do necessary things throughout the day.
She will not admit to a drinking problem. She says she could quit any time she wants. This is typical for an alcoholic.
Alcoholism affects many people from all walks of life. It affects men and women. It affects young and old. It affects rich and poor. Alcoholism is a disease, but it can be overcome if the desire is strong enough.
The problem is that most alcoholics are in denial. They often refuse to face the fact that they have a drinking problem. Until they face this fact, and make up their minds to do something about it, they will continue to have this same problem.
