It is said that the alcoholic is the last to know he has this illness. It is also said that the alcoholic is the only one who has the right to say he is alcoholic. Yet, everyone in his/her immediate world has to deal with the alcoholism -- sometimes for years -- before the individual reaches his bottom or admits to a problem.
How does one know that he has a problem with this disease? Is alcoholism causing a problem in your life? Is it affecting your ability to work? Is it creating havoc with your family life? Is it creating problems for you socially? Are you suffering financially?
Alcoholism is said to be a family disease. By this is meant that the chaos caused by the drinking is a burden for the whole unit. Everyone suffers from this problem. The coworkers are also affected, sometimes picking up the slack at work caused by absences or ineffectual functioning.
Around forty years ago, I had a pamphlet written by a Roman Catholic Priest which referred to alcoholism as a Merry-go-round. It also referred to the disease as a three act play in which the alcoholic was the star or center of attention. Around the alcoholic were parents, wife, children, employers, coworkers, professionals such as lawyers and social workers. Some of the individuals were enablers, some were persecutors and some were rescuers.
The Karpman triangle -- used more generally than for alcohol treatment -- points out that in relationships there can be a victim, a rescuer and a persecutor. Karpman states that if one can fill any one of these roles, one can fill them all. You may be the persecutor today, the victim tomorrow and the rescuer another day.
I searched the internet for the name of the author of the brochure or pamphlet. Instead, I found that there are some recovery programs using the essence of the information to help those addicted to alcohol to work the steps. There, of course, are also the twelve-step programs developed by Bill W and other early members of Alcoholic's Anonymous.
These sources of information not only help with recovery, but they can also help with identification of those suffering from the disease. Once again, are you alcoholic? If alcohol is causing chaos and trouble in your life, it is a good bet that you are. The sooner you accept the diagnosis, the sooner recovery can begin. The ball is in your court.
Are there alcoholics in your family? These are people who share your DNA. This is referring to a parent, sibling, grandparent. If so, do you drink at all? If yes, you have a greater chance of becoming alcoholic than people who do not have a family history of the disease. A gene has now been isolated which researchers believe causes people not to know when they have had enough of any addictive drug, including alcohol. If you carry this gene you are more at risk than others. If you do have family members who are alcoholic, I recommend you never take the first drink. If you are already a social drinker, I recommend you stop at once. Drinking is just not worth the risk.
If you decide you want to get help with your drinking, please get help from people who are trained to work in detox programs. There is risk of death when stopping the drinking. You can go into convulsions and die. There are usually programs in high end recovery facilities and also for people who are experiencing poverty. The Betty Ford Clinic represents the former. The Salvation Army may have facilities in your city. For the sake of yourself, your family and your friends, please get help somewhere. Drug addictions of all kinds are becoming more and more of a national problem. Addiction is absolutely everywhere.
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