Jim B. Jack D., Captain Morgan and why not a little Scope and Nyquil

Several people have talked to me about addiction this week; either their own or someone close to them.  I'm not an expert, but from what I've read and heard and experienced there are three things that make an alcoholic; an allergy to alcohol - their body has an unnatural reaction to a common substance, an obsession of the mind - there is no 'off' button or moral decision making that can keep the mind from craving the drug, and almost always there is a broken childhood - because of the relationship they have with one or both parents, they have decided by age 9 that they are on their own in life, which makes relationships hard later in life. 

In six years I have seen a couple people recover from alcoholism by realizing they have a problem and coming to an AA meeting.  But for most people, they are so steeped in denial and the obsession is so great, they don't think they need help even after experiencing terrible concequences.  Out patient programs seem like a good idea for busy people, but I've never seen it work. The reason we are alcoholics is because alcohol has taken total control over us.  Going to outpatient treatment during the day and returning to your drinking environment at night is like painting with water colors in the rain.  It won't stick.  Inpatient treatment not only keeps you in a place where you can't get to the alcohol, it also gives you a place where you can leave the rest of your responsibilities outside and focus on yourself. 

There are some great places to go to get help, which I've found just by googling chemical dependency treatment centers, but the bottom line is that if the alcoholic is not ready to go to treatment, there is almost no chance that it will help them.  On the other hand, almost every alcoholic who will benefit treatment is not going to be happy about going.  It feels like being underwater and having someone take your oxygen tank away and leave you.  We can't do it on our own. It might be hard to tell whether someone is ready or not. I think the key to being ready is overcoming denial, which is why interventions sometimes work.  Addiction is not an easy thing to deal with, for the addict or the people close to them, but if you are willing to jump in and risk your relationship and help someone get sober they will be eternally grateful to you for your help.