Alcohol: the Diabolical Dilemma

Just a letter I got anonymusly...long story

Dear Albert Alco,

                As a regular drinker, I’ve been doing well on moderation. I’m a social drinker, my drinking buddies are all idealists that just want to ease up a bit. I’m never roaring drunk, and I never have more than 3 beers a weekend. I’ve been doing well academically, but then I got crushed by my girlfriend and everything seems to be spiraling out of control, with projects, homework and the like. She was always there to help, and keep me company. I find that I’m starting to take beers nightly, around 5 or 6 a night. I’m usually wasted in the morning, so I end up lacing my coffee. Then at school I can’t focus on my schoolwork. The quality of my answers are starting to slip, and the quality of my projects and homework, since I’m pretty much wasted at seven or eight. I’ve already passed out once or twice, missing a whole day of school. Mom and Dad are usually out of town, and are distant from me, and my friends have been very busy lately so, being an only child, I can do pretty much what I want. I know I have to stop, but it’s pretty rough. I’m trying to abstain, but I keep getting overpowering withdrawal headaches. They’re to the point where I tell myself its okay to take just a bit, but then I tend to binge over. Lately, I’m starting to prefer my drunken state, as I’m confronted with so much pain in my sobriety, physical and emotional. I’ve been diagnosed with depression, and have started to draw away from my friends. I need help! This is fast turning into a vicious cycle.

Yours truly,

******* ******** ***** 

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Dear Herr *****,

I must say you are in quite a situation. I recall having a lot of trouble weaning myself from the drink. I did struggle a lot, but the main thing that got me through was the sheer will to stop, which I see you have. But in order to wean yourself from alcohol (and avoid those skull splitting headaches), you need to gradually wean yourself from drink. For example, tell yourself that you will drink one less beer every two nights, ands stick to it! But the most important thing to help you through this are some allies. I suggest confessing your alcoholism to your friends, and always be in their company, so he can reprimand you if you need it. If they’re too busy, I suggest approaching a friendly professor, or joining a weekly alcoholic’s anonymous group. But this all boils down to you, as someone can’t watch over you every single minute of your life. The Bible says not to drink excessively, as it leads to eventual failure proverbs 23:20-21 states:

²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

I say to you, Herr Faust, to remind yourself constantly of the consequences of your excessive habit. Alcohol is a depressant, and will dampen your mood, whether you feel it or not. As for sobriety, remind yourself of better times, and how else you can cheer yourself up. Make new friends and keep new company. Remind yourself of who you are, and take pride!

Besides: if you don't shape up, you might end up like this guy



http://www.thecampussocialite.com/wp-content/uploads/drunk.-urinal.jpg