I don’t know of anyone who starts out drinking and thinks one day I may be alcoholic. If drinking wasn’t associated with fun people wouldn’t continue to drink. Unfortunately what happens is a fine line is crossed and once crossed it is too late. It takes years to form an addiction and the behaviors associated with the addiction. Some of the behaviors we learned were to lie, steal, cheat, manipulate, deny, rationalize, stole time from not only ourselves also, families and friends.

One of the biggest lies an alcoholic tells themselves in order to continue the behavior is that they aren’t hurting anyone but themselves. The ripple effect is proof that everyone within a 50 mile radius literally and figuratively feels the disease of alcoholism. The same holds true for when the alcoholic decides to get sober. As much time spent getting to the point of I need help is as much time as the alcoholic needs in recovery to get better.

Allowing him or her the time to go to a treatment program and work on the foundation necessary to rebuild their lives is so beneficial to long-term success. The disease of alcoholism is a slow painful death and much like suicide. He or she has no idea after the first drink what will happen next. I believe recovery is possible for anyone who wants it more than they want to drink.