I have always looked at alcoholism as a behavior problem. After all, the alcoholic drinks and (usually) nobody is forcing them. I have seen the destruction it causes first hand. Some say that it takes will power to not drink, but will is required to drink as well. If you cannot control what you put into your body, then you should probably be declared a danger to yourself and locked up for a while.
I’m sorry to be so harsh, especially here, where I know etiquette is important but this comment needs to be shut down.
The dismissive suggestion that alcoholism can be cured simply by using “self-control” is toxic.
Yes, self-control is PART of it, but to say that it’s “all about self-control” is damaging.
There’s a reason the person is struggling to control their behavior. There are underlying problems.
Sociological? Biological? Societal?
Yes.
Working on those problems takes great effort and many cannot do it alone.
Yes, SOME can do it on their own but the dismissive anecdotal examples are more damaging than helpful.
People suffering from addiction are beat down. Exhausted.
Yes, they still need to help themselves but they also need support from others who can guide them to a healthier life.
Would you tell someone with a broke leg to use willpower to fix it? No, of course not. You’d get them to a hospital.
It’s the same here. The advice needed is ‘where to get help from professionals that can guide them through their problems’.
The only organization I know like that is AA but I’m sure there are more. Someone who knows, please add support groups.
Take the first step and reach out to a group. Give their program a genuine try and beat this problem one day at a time.
One day at a time.