People know me as an advocate for Life and disability issues. Fewer people know that I am an alcoholic. It's been thirty-eight years since my last drink—but the alcoholic personality remains even without alcohol. I think God left that thorn in my flesh so that I never think I did it all by myself. He led me out of my addiction. It was my first miracle. Early on He told me not to forget those days because many people are still there.
Over 30 million Americans are problem drinkers. At a tenth the size of America, Canada has 5.8 million problem drinkers. Alcoholism costs the U.S. economy an estimated $249-billion annually and $14.6-billion to Canada. The human cost is incalculable!
Alcoholics Anonymous was started in Akron Ohio in 1935 and has helped millions of people stop drinking, and provides family support through Al-anon and Alateen. They do wonderful work and I have great respect for their presence in communities across North America and the U.K..
But there is much more that needs to be done at governmental, community, and research in scientific, psychological and sociological levels. It makes sense to support programs at governmental and community levels that address alcoholism, educate young people about risks of alcohol abuse, support recovery and programs and support families of alcoholics.
Alcoholism is no respecter of persons. It spans every social strata of society, both genders, and every racial group.
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| Elizabeth Vargas new book Between Breaths available at bookstores & Amazon |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPLJuyULAZ8
Thank you Mark for this absolutely necessary reminder that alcoholism kills not just the alcoholic, but everything around them emotionally, financially, psychologically, physically.and spiritually.
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