Why can't we not be sober?
363663
I am just a worthless liar - \nI am just an imbecile...
7762
Can we?  Of course.  Humans have an amazing ability to rationalize almost any behavior, and there are limits on how much control we allow society to exercise on individual freedoms.\n\nTake alcohol for example.  Alcohol is a primary and secondary cause of death for thousands?  millions?  Well, a whole bunch of people die from alcoholism, drunk driving, and "I can too jump off this roof!" every year, but we allow it.  And, as with smoking, the deaths and injuries suffered are not always suffered by the imbiber.\n\nWe have taken an entirely different tack with the "war on drugs."  Even though there is little real difference between smoking, drinking, and illegal drug use on principle, (though the effects of some drugs are far worse of course) we have decided to ban those substances.\n\nThe plain truth is that as long as humans are recognizably like us, they will seek altered states of consciousness through chemical and other means, whether it's a heroin high, alcoholic buzz, the calm of nicotine, tweaking on caffeine, or getting a euphoric rush from "the choking game."  \n\nI am no fan of smoking, but consider well the drug war and prohibition in the last century before attempting to legislate away tobacco.  A whole criminal industry grows up around banned substances that may well cause worse damage as a whole than the habit.
39667
Because it can kill you!!! Plus, when you want to quit you can't!
891961
People do really stupid things when they are drinking or on drugs.\n\nYou did a crazy thing, but I don't think you are crazy.\n\nBy your reaction, you would not do this being sober and sane.
464054
its beause people lose control of their senses when theyre drunk.. and they end up doin stuff that they never ever would have considering doin if they were sober
447715
There are references in the Bible against drunkenness.  I can't think of anything off the top of my head in the Bible that forbids controlled drinking.\n\nHere are a list of references from the Bible, as well as other scriptures, concerning drunkenness:  http://scriptures.lds.org/tgd/drnknnss.\n\nI do, however, believe that drinking is a sin, except in the case of partaking of the sacrament.  (http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/89/5#5)
528854
My ex-husband is an alcoholic, too. You have to decide for YOURSELF what your limitations are- what you'll put up with and what you won't. If it affects you to the point of depression, maybe it's time to have a talk with him. It's normal for you to feel the way that you do, however. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to find an "AL-ANON" meeting- it's specifically designed to support friends/family members/loved ones of alcoholics. There's probably a wealth of information for you there...\nGood luck, honey- I really, truly mean that. It's not an easy road, no matter which path you choose. But keep in mind that it ISN'T YOUR FAULT...
603238
well it seems clear to me you need to stay away from alcohol ! Good luck ! if you're tempted - grab a friend to hang with and stay busy til the urge passes.
260133
you cant. he has to be ready for the treatment himself which usually involves hitting rock bottom. this point can be different for all addicts, drugs or alcohol. you may convice him to go to the treatment but he will never recover unless he want to! sad but very very true.
188541
I believe Three is more difficult.  One, Admitted we were powerless over alcohol and our lives had become unmanageable...well, that's obvious, and once we cut through the denial that we are indeed powerless, we've got it.  They say Step One is the only one we have to do perfectly.\nStep Two says Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.  For me, the difficult thing was to believe I had ever BEEN sane, much less could be restored to it.\nBut THREE, now, to turn my will and my life (my thoughts and my actions) over to God?  Lord...that IS hard!  It may sound easy in theory, but I've been in recovery without using or drinking for almost seven years, and still struggle with this one!  Particularly with the self-loathing I feel over decisions I made in early recovery....\nSo what's the answer?  I'd love some feedback here.
862181
That's what AA is for.  You can't do it alone, that's for sure.  If you could, you wouldn't be an alcoholic.  Yes, you have to dump your drinking/using friends.  They aren't real friends.  Once you get clean and sober, they don't want to be around you anyway--except to try and talk you into to joining them again.  \n\nAA:  http://www.aa.org
1069405
For the same reason all drugs tend to be shunned.  People do not know how to use them in moderation.  They use and use and let it take over their lives.  If drug use did not become the only thing in a users life, it may be more accepted.  Alcohol is a good example.  Some people can drink and then not drink for months, but others live only to drink.  This tends to happen more with other drugs.  Alcoholics = Junkies.
198599
ummm errr. has it got something to do with capacity (ie if you are drunk or drugged or have a brain injury you cannot be held to a contract)
328099
maybe depression, or any mental illness, cant really be cured, like a broken bone. maybe mental illness will always be like alcoholism or substance abuse- under control but still there.
115227
You are starting on a never-ending-circle. You panic, you drink, since alcohol is a "downer" you buzz, but then you come down, get depressed, then panic about getting depressed or because you drank. Do you see where I'm headed? I've been there-done that. Please seek anxiety medication from a licensed medical professonal.
294798
Not without extensive help.  They have to only be willing to change for themselves not for anyone else.  It is a very hard ordeal to be around, but it will take a long while for complete recovery.  A long hard road no matter which path is chosen.
978084
Drug addicts and alcoholics suffer from a disease. This disease usually results in consequences which are socially repugnant. At some point, these people have an insight to the fact that continued indulgence in drugs/alcohol will not be tolerated and will inevitably destroy them and all that's around them (true)-they then make a choice to keep going or get help. It is hard to sympathize with them unless they try to change. A couple of outstanding features of addiction is incredible selfishness as well as an amazing capacity to manipulate others. If we hand someone the "Victim" label, they will most likely run with it and use it to their own end. The stats are bleak for recovery.