An Old Family Tradition
This is Part 1 of an ongoing series I entitle Toward A Better Understanding of Substance Abuse.
Recently, in my role as pastor, I have interacted quite a bit with persons struggling with substance abuse. It is a disconcerting thing to see otherwise smart and even good people with lives so disfigured by this cancer. I clearly see that it a huge, ugly, and ferocious beast. And, for many of us it is a riddle how these people could let this happen. Why are they so weak? Why do they not try harder, and pray more, and beat this thing? Of course I know it is a more complicated matter, and those who fight this war deserve more respect even if they wage their battles with foolish weapons and strategy.
Throughout my life I have had an aversion to alcohol. At most I have consumed maybe two beers! I do not like to be around it. Admittedly this has much to do with religious convictions. But, there is more reason. On my mom’s side of the family seems to be a track record of alcohol abuse. I tried to talk with her about this one time, and she feigned it to be ridiculous. But I remember as a little boy seeing, at different times, different uncles and aunts in various states of inebriation. I was curious as to how they could behave so silly, and of how they could turn from being nice to being so mean and foul-mouthed? And along the way I made up my mind to avoid the stuff. And that is likely very good, since I now understand that abuse of alcohol is likely a genetic predisposition.
Otis Campbell may be funny on The Andy Griffith Show, but real-life drunks are not.
02.02.09 (10:40 am) [
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posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
02.02.09 (12:28 pm)
I think these demons can be conquered through will power if people really want to get sober. Some people are stronger than others in that area, I guess though.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
02.02.09 (1:23 pm)
I am not one to consume much alcohol, nor have I ever been, but used to have one of the fancy drinks ~ a sweet mixed drink ~ on occasion. Never did like beer ~ not even on a really hot day ~ at all ~ period!
I saw my father conquer his alcohol problem after six or seven years, and admired him for that, as well as other great things he did.
But I cannot say the same for my younger brother, and I've seen how it has destroyed his life. I often wonder how he could drink at all when he hated so much what he saw in our father, and to have continued drinking for most of his life... it is so sad!
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
02.02.09 (2:06 pm)
My dad was an alchoholic, my younger brother was also an alchoholic, and I played music in bars, where all the drinks for the band members, were free! I determined if I ever needed a drink mid week, and couldn't wait for the weekend, I was done instantly!! Done playing music, done drinking! I had a build in limiter...if I drank too jcuh too soon, I felt like I was a thousandth of a second out of time, and couldn't catch up! hated that feeling!!! I don't drink beer, but on a job it was all we had, and someone spiked it w/ everclear...400 proof..I got drunk on that job...the only time ever!! I blew 2 hours on a job being on marijuana...end of the marijuana!! I've really been fortunate!!
posted by:
fractalmom (
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post date:
02.02.09 (3:00 pm)
good subject PD.
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
02.03.09 (12:36 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
It is a subject that I have been meeting quite frequently in the last several weeks. And I am sure most people are familiar with its challenges.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.03.09 (12:37 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
That 1/1000th of a second of time is sometimes all it takes to kill someone or to otherwise severely complicate your life and that of others. You've made a wise choice.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.03.09 (12:39 pm)
Reply to: auntconi
Sounds like your younger brother is a lot like dear old dad. Maybe, his story will yet have a happy finish.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
02.03.09 (12:41 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
We are told, by AA and NA, that willpower alone is not enough. Lots of disciplined and otherwise successful people have lost the battle with alcohol. I think, to drink is a choice, even for the alcoholic. A sad choice. I believe a Higher Power is the best help in beating it.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
02.03.09 (12:56 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
His day could start 'now' and I pray for that all the time. I never give up hope for him!
