Marigold, I am an alcoholic. I understand what you are saying, and yes, it IS the person who has to take the first step in getting help.

Both the American and Canadian Medical Associations now classify alcoholism as a disease.

A couple of its chief symptoms - defiance and denial. Courts can order treatment - and hopefully the person will 'see the light' and realize how sick they are. Others stay blind for much longer.

This letter was written by some anonymous person years ago to illustrate that the addict is not all happy and uncaring - far from it.

It's just to give perspective; I looked this up after reading a post in the "Smoking is Bad" thread here. Have a look through, might put this in a better context.

As I like to say to people who need and hopefully WANT to get well: "You alone can do it - but you don't have to do it alone."