The Many Faces of Alcoholism

Our Continuing Battle to Overcome This Deadly Disease

I was in complete denial about my loved ones addiction to alcohol. I though the drinking was a way of dealing with the problems and set backs that we were having. I figured once we got back on our feet he would change. We would be happy again. It wasn't until some time later that I realized alcohol was taking over our lives.

He was what I like to call a "functioning alcoholic". He continued to go to work everyday, but when he came home the very first thing he did was crack a beer. I started to make excuses for him. "He works hard all day, he deserves to relax and have a drink" I often said to friends that would notice. In a twisted kind of way it was almost as if I was in an abusive relationship, the way I would try to cover for his actions and defend him. Before long he had gone from one or two beers after work to a six pack or more a day. Eventually this also grew.

Next he was no longer a "functioning alcoholic". In my opinion he became a full fledged alcoholic. He would go to work still reeking of alcohol. Although he claimed he wasn't drunk but in my heart I knew better. Maybe he wasn't drunk but he was still feeling the drink! This lasted for a very little while before he eventually lost a job. According to him it was not alcohol related at all. Everyone was just out to get him.

Again, I would defend him as not to let anyone worry about us. By this time we were out of our slump. Things were looking real good for us. The drinking cut down to about two to three beers every weekend, or so I thought. I would praise him. I couldn't believe that he changed and actually nipped this disease before it was out of control. No one could be prouder than I.