Alcoholism

granjura you are sooooo right. Even the doctors joke about it...no harm in the odd glass of wine, knowing full well it isn't an odd glass.Im married to someone who falls into the category of which you speak.

I think there is still a huge amount of denial out there. Especially with functioning alcoholics- as they are succesful, have good careers, do not fall in the gutter and are never 'drunk'- it is ignored. Also I feel there is a lot of 'but everyone does it so it is normal' out there too. This kind of alcoholism is very very insidiuous, as it does pass 'ignored and un-noticed' until severe damage is done. It is estimated that at least 1/3 of British people are risking their liver by regular drinking (as said without ever being drunk).

Agus is correct, there is an emerging and growing move towards being proud in recovery from addiction in the UK, I attended this initiative (link below) a few years ago in Brighton, it was extremely moving to see all the people walking with their families:

www.ukrecoverywalk.org/

This year the recovery walk is in Manchester. It is to show these communities that there is help available and that there is always hope.

Earlier this year one of the Gransnet members wrote on these forums about going in to rehab for alcohol dependence, and several GN members wrote to her in support about their own experience of alcoholism.

People overcome adversity, including addictions.

sue thankfully those days are over when not only the alcoholic was in denial but also their families and friends who were aware of the stigmatism attached to this condition and those who classed them as just another drunk.

I was married to an alcoholic and he is still alive today some 30 odd years later. A couple of years ago he was extremely ill (he is my youngest daughters father and she is very attached to him). He had a lot of hospital treatment and now thankfully is dry and leading a normal life having drunk solidly for what must be a good forty years from breakfast till bedtime. Treatment is much better now and people can be helped but they must want to as I am sure you know. I feel for anyone in a relationship with someone to whom alcohol is everything. I hope this is not you but clearly you have concerns about someone. I dint get help when I was married to this person - no-one believed me that there was a problem even when they foreclosed on the mortgage and I was black and blue physically and mentally- there is a lot of help now pleas don't be afraid to ask. I send you Best wishes.

Not personally but my heart goes out to anyone who reaches a point whereby they think the answer is in a bottle and equally when I have seen how their families have been affected and I fully understand why it is known as 'a family illness'.

I know this won't be everyone's view but I look upon alcoholism as a mental illness and thankfully there is much more support, help and understanding for alcoholics.

Thank you ninathena , I didn't know the pain and damage this illness causes families until recently , a kind word is appreciated

There are so many kinds of alcoholism. I know quite a few who are very successful 'functioning' alcoholics. Never ever 'drunk' as such- but cannot function without drinking fairly copious amounts on a daily basis- and whose liver is at risk of serious damage in the long-term.

How do you define an alcoholic? Somebody who falls in the gutter, someone who is unable to get up in the morning to go to work? Or someone who is very successful in real life but cannot fathom an evening without abottle of wine followed by a couple of good malt whiskies at bedtime?

Fortunately not. If you are in this situation I feel for you.