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indefinable fears, running out of excuses and complete defeat admitted until the alcoholic hits bottom.
There are many other symptoms and steps in the often lengthy crucial and chronic phases of alcoholism. “Hitting bottom” is a scary image and it is a scary fact of life for alcoholics and their families. If nothing has reversed before this point and recovery has not begun, the alcoholic faces sickness, insanity or death.
Rehabilitation comes, not in a burst of light, but in a series of slow and painful steps. Will power, in most cases, is not enough. Physical and mental treatment are necessary to help alcoholics want to recover, to believe they can recover.
No matter what treatment is recommended, counselors agree that the knowledge that alcoholism is a disease not entirely within its victim’s control is a necessary step for eventual recovery.
“The picture we want to present is not one of hopelessness and despair,” Nettles said. “There is so much hope - and as time goes by and we understand the disease better, treatment is more and more successful. Thousands and thousands of alcoholics have recovered and found confidence and interest and real joy in life.”
Next week: Case Histories
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