At my AA homegroup meeting today, Eddie pointed out that doctors and therapists can't understand alcoholism unless they have experienced addiction for themselves. I raised my hand and agreed, with a personal addition.
"I didn't become an alcoholic until I was into middle age. Up until then, I remember discussions with my wife, claiming, 'I don't understand why people who drink and do drugs know they are destroying their lives and others' lives, but they don't do anything to stop it. They are miserable. So why don't they just quit?'
"Of course we know why they can't just quit. I didn't understand until my drinking became a problem that messed up my life and the lives of people I loved. I couldn't quit. Finally, I understood. Now, I hope I have helped some people who can't quit, and that I will continue to help people stop drinking."
I ended there. I didn't tell about a young friend of mine who I will call Sandra. After the meeting, I took her to the psych hospital, where she had recently been a patient -- again! She needed to pick up her prescriptions, which she had lost after being discharged a couple days ago. She has relapsed too many times for me to remember. Her last relapse ended with her fighting another woman in her rehab house, which led to her getting another heave-ho and a criminal charge against her. Back in the day, I wouldn't have understood her addictions and would have abandoned her long ago. Because of my own alcoholism, I can be more patient and understanding.
Is there someone in your life who needs your patience and understanding?
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