by Ronda Marie

Created on: June 06, 2008

Alcoholism does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, anywhere. I also believe that it doesn't matter whether you are born an alcoholic or gradually become an alcoholic. The main thing is that the alcoholic gets help. Alcoholism is one of the most deadly illnesses in our country. It is also among the most ignored. It's effects on each individual has a very wide range of outcomes.

I don't believe that alcoholics can control their drinking. I personally believe that their drinking habits are no longer a choice. It is very hard to separate the binge drinker from the alcoholic. Many people will tell you they do not have a drinking problem. They believe this because they only drink on the weekends. However, they fail to disclose the amount of alcohol they consume over those three days. Thus they are considered binge drinkers. Other people may have a couple beers after a long day of work and stop at that. Don't forget the functioning alcoholic that works a full time job, lives in a beautiful home, and has a family but drinks everyday. It is the people that can not have one or two but must drink until their isn't anymore to drink. I believe that alcoholics are people who have lost the ability to control their drinking and that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. I guess the question is how to stop drinking all together?

I believe that the person suffering from alcoholism must want to stop. They must want to change themselves. Many people have to just hit a point in their lives were enough is enough. This breaking point could mean different things to many different people. Some examples may be a divorce due to the spouse that is drinking which causes abuse or neglect among other things. It could be the death of a person. I personally know a woman who joined Alcoholics Anonymous because she could not take care of her children the morning after a night of drinking. She was mentally and physically unstable. I have had experiences with other people who have repeatedly gone to jail for drunken behavior or drunk driving, spent thousands of dollars in bail, and fines, and they will not even attempt to stop drinking.

One thing that I feel strongly about is willpower. You must have the willpower to seek out help. Whether you join Alcoholics Anonymous, get a sponsor, and/or change the crowd your hanging with you must want to change. You must believe that you can change. You have to believe in yourself and believe that you are worth it.

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