| I have had the misfortune of growing up around my | | | | centers these days to talk about his problem. |
| share of alcoholics, and some of them would never | | | | My cousin Kevin, on the other hand, has had a |
| even acknowledge that they have a drinking problem. | | | | drinking problem for the last few years and talked a |
| For the ones that did, treatment at alcohol rehab | | | | lot about wanting to get sober. He said that one day |
| centers seemed to do the trick, but I have observed | | | | soon he'd devote himself to sobering up, but after a |
| that it all comes down to what a person puts into | | | | couple of half-hearted attempts, he is still drinking a |
| their rehabilitation program. | | | | lot and on a regular basis. |
| My uncle Marty had a severe drinking problem for | | | | He has visited a couple of alcohol rehab centers and |
| many years, but he was what I have sometimes | | | | always comes away from those visits with a very |
| heard referred to as a functional alcoholic. He did | | | | enthusiastic and optimistic outlook, but it always |
| drink heavily almost every night, but he also held | | | | fades within a few weeks, and he is back to his old |
| down a full-time job and provided for his family. | | | | ways or worse. |
| It was his wife who finally convinced him that he did | | | | The fact of the matter is that a problem like |
| have a problem and recommended about three | | | | alcoholism, and any addiction really, requires constant |
| different alcohol rehab centers that were relatively | | | | diligence and commitment. Such problems are |
| close to their home as possible options. Because he | | | | solvable, but not without a lot of hard work and |
| loved his family very much and wanted to keep it | | | | dedication to a program that treats the underlying |
| together, he checked himself in to one and really | | | | problem for the addiction. |
| committed himself to change. | | | | I am very fortunate that I have never had a problem |
| He has been sober for 12 years now, and has had | | | | with alcoholism, so I have never had to actively |
| only two relapses. He said it is a daily struggle, that | | | | participate in any of the programs offered at the |
| the relapses were the worst things he has ever | | | | alcohol rehab centers I have visited with my uncle |
| experienced and said he was in a bad situation on | | | | and cousin. If I did, though, I know from experience |
| both occasions. He takes it one day at a time, as the | | | | that I would likely get as much out of it as I put into |
| saying goes, and visits a number of alcohol rehab | | | | the program. |