Alcoholism

At the beginning of Lent 1997, I have a message, a simple message I wish to
share. Please read it / listen to it: Since Lent is a time of renewal, a time of
being grateful, a time to think about passing on to our children whatever we
truly believe in, I feel this message is very apropos. It has to do with
alcoholism: a real word to deal with. Nobody is too young nor too old to deal
with it. That's because it is a disease, an illness. Anybody is eligible to be
hit with it. Rich, poor, no color difference, it is always around.
Years ago, because there is alcoholism in my own family and because, as a
priest, I was beginning to learn about people's lives and their problems, I
decided to become involved. For more than 30 years, I have spoken with, spoken
to, and been associated with alcoholics / addicts. I have learned much and have
shared much. And this is what I want to do: share a few thoughts with all of you
on sobriety.
Some people drink to relax. Some people drink because they have problems.
Where are you in all this?
Some people drink when they get angry. Angry with other people, with
friends, with parents. Where are you in all this?
Some people prefer to drink alone. They do not want anybody else around
them. Where are you in all this?
Some people, due to drinking, start making mistakes on their jobs, or their
school grades start slipping. Where are you in all this?
Some people say they can stop drinking if they want to. Some people try to
stop drinking or start drinking less -- but they fail. Where are you in all
this?
Some people drink in the morning before work. Before school. Where are you
in all this?
Some people gulp their drinks. "Down the hatch" -- where are you in all
this?
Some people, due to their drinking, begin a loss of memory. They cannot
remember some of the simplest things. Where are you in all this?
Some people lie about their drinking. They never say exactly what they are
drinking and how much of it. Where are you in all this?
Some people get drunk when they drink. Mostly all the time. They never mean
to but they do. Where are you in all this?
The answers to these questions are simple, aren't they? The questions are simple
too. If you have trouble honestly answering any one of these questions, I
suggest you give me a call. You may need help. Or if you would just like to talk
to somebody about your drinking, I can refer you to some very good people. It
does not matter how long you have been drinking or what you have been drinking.
It's what drinking does to you that counts.
May your celebrations in 1997 be alcohol and drug free. That is one of my
special prayers for each and every one of you in the new year. I hope your
decision for sobriety is real. It affects not only you but our children and
their lives. Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions.
Fr. Jim