As I think back on my drinking days I remember the frustration of various people around me who wanted to help. I now better realize the inherent challenge they faced: not being alcoholics they didn’t realize the depth of the problem. If you’re trying to help an alcoholic and feeling frustrated by a seeming lack of success here’s a simple test: “try not breathing for 5 minutes”. As God is my witness there were many times in my life that I would have thought it easier to not breath for 5 minutes than not drink for the next 10 seconds.
I don’t offer this to condone the continued drinking of an alcoholic or ask anyone to feel sorry for them. I offer it only so that someone wanting to help another may get a better insight into “what you’re/they’re truly up against”. Most of all I want to offer hope: I went from not thinking I could resist alcohol for 10 seconds to NOT DRINKING FOR 25+ YEARS. It can be done. Don’t give up! But don’t beat yourself up either!


