Thread: Alcoholism, the scourge of friendships

My little brother died of liver failure at 35 yrs old. I had the "pleasure" of being there to watch him die and close his eyes. Still not sure if it was prescription drugs or alcohol or both, but not pretty.

I have been clean and sober for some time. I come from a long line of drunks and ruffians. I think that there is a group of people that have published a series of books about how to deal with drunks you can't get away from of choose to not get away from. For the rest of the world it is an insightful read. The book is the Alanon basic text. My mother had a black belt in alanon.

Originally Posted by WW243

I've seen it up close also, a father who went from my hero to a tragic drunk that would get dressed for work and spend the day in a bar......there is no childhood in a war zone, no innocence. When I was around age 9 as he was passed out in a chair I crept down the stairs with a baseball bat (knowing I wouldn't do it) to stove in his head while he was passed out in a chair. He told me later that he was drinking 3 fifths of vodka a day when he hit rock bottom......later AA, going into prisons to talk about the destruction that you mention in your sad post. At the end of his life he relapsed and somehow added opium to the mix. Died alone found on a garage floor.
I think your third person observation is terribly accurate. Sorry.

Sorry to hear this Bill,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Always wondered why alcohol wasn't illegal with all the damage and sadness can bring. Much like many other substances that are controlled currently moderation is key but some things some people are unable to moderate at all

Originally Posted by HardCase

Always wondered why alcohol wasn't illegal with all the damage and sadness can bring. Much like many other substances that are controlled currently moderation is key but some things some people are unable to moderate at all

Because you can never ban something with demand. We learned that in prohibition, we've learned that with prostitution, and we've learned that in our war on drugs. If there is demand, it will be available.

Originally Posted by RezDog

The book is the Alanon basic text.

That is the place where the family members are surprised to find out the prescription is to work on themselves.

Probably said a little more than I should have......so I'll say a little more.....you know the thing about fathers wanting you to do better than they did? With the risk of being stoned for this, there is one way I have indeed surpassed him. He said to me many times I wish I could have a couple of drinks. Well, in that one pathetic way I handled it.....Rarely do I have more than 2 drinks. Haven't been drunk in years and do not frequent bars. Of course I leave out periods of drug addiction the latest being a 7 year habit of prescription, pain management approved oxycontin. Been off that for about 6 months......

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Sorry to hear this Bill,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Anytime anyone ever asked me if I wanted a drink, I always exclaimed, "Yes!", unless of course I didn't understand the question. Yes, the 80's, back in the days of the, "all-inclusive" lifestyle!

I gave up the high cost of low living awhile ago myself, and have never looked back. I've come to realize a couple of things about myself, my favorite flavor of drink is, "MORE", and that there will never, ever be a, "safe drink" for me.

I was fortunate that my body decided to give up alcohol. I come from a line of weekend party bingers. I was fortunate not to be dazzled by the stuff. Smoking was my hard one.
Howsomever if one addiction is beaten something else will always take its place. Dry Drunk or whatever a habit of behavior it is. RAD, HAD, BAD, are not funny but simply a way of filling that hole within. Even shown by such behaviorism as seen exhibited by proselytizers AA 13th steppers etc.
It is the hole within us that hungers.
Just my thoughts on the matter. Still fighting the battle.
~Richard

In another thread I talked about things being hard wired into our DNA. For most folks that hard wired drive may be something more innocuous like being a workaholic, or overeating or physically escaping from the responsibilities of society but for a large percentage of the Human race when things are bad in their lives they look for an escape in more self destructive habits such as drugs and booze. For those unfortunate souls the only cure is figure out what is causing their issue and either deal with it or find another outlet for it. For many an impossible solution.