I Thought Alcoholics Were Weak, Self-Destructive, Selfish, and Immoral

I never understood addicts -- until I became one. If drinking or drugging is ruining your life, then quit. Just quit.

One blessing of becoming an alcoholic is that it has enabled me to realize what alcoholism is and what it isn't. "Addicts are weak, the myth goes. Weak of mind, weak of character. Or they're willfully self-destructive. Or they're unbearably selfish. They must be. Otherwise they'd stop hurting themselves and hurting others as well, right? 'That's a real mistake that people make,' says senior research psychologist Dennis. 'They think it's about a morality play, a moral shortcoming. That somehow you failed as a person.'"  (Addiction, https://www.tarzanatc.org/resources/hbo-addiction/)

Now I understand that alcoholism isn't a disease for the weak and immoral. Instead, "Any so-called lack of willpower in an addict has been caused by changes in the brain."

I have a mother and mother-in-law, ages 92 and 88. At times, they forget things and show signs of early dementia caused by changes in the brain. Are we to say they are "weak of mind and character" because they get a little grouchy sometimes and don't know what day it is? The brain of the alcoholic is different, just like the brain of the elderly.

I'm sorry I used to be ignorant of these matters. Ironically, I am thankful to my own alcoholism for setting me straight.