alcoholism then and now

I was recently perusing the opportunities at PayPerPost and came across an informative website about an alcoholism treatment program, and one of the points noted on their homepage about alcoholism got me thinking. They state that, "Alcohol is a large part of our society. It is in the background of every social class and historically is at the root of even certain religions. Despite the difference in subject of fermentation it is enjoyed and abused by all races."

It is easy to see how ingrained alcohol is in our social and religious functions, and it is understandable that without the current types of support that we have now, alcohol has remained such a problem.

What started out with local Alcoholics Anonymous outreach groups has now spread to the internet, and every day alcoholics are finding some of the answers that they need online, without the stigma of having to go to "meetings" or speak with a professional just to find out more about alcoholism. This Stop Your Addiction site, for example, offers a free article on The Difference Between Social Drinkers and Alcoholics that sums things up adequately - that there is a fine lie between the two and it is easy to cross that line, but difficult to cross back.

Another advantage of programs like this is that they accept patients from across the country. Who wants to go to local "meetings" where you may be seen by neighbors and other local town folk while undergoing addiction treatment? Wouldn't it be easier to tell everyone that you are simply taking an extended vacation, and see if the noticed that you have stopped drinking when you return? The Stop Your Addiction program offers a 28-day drug treatment based out of Michigan.

It's a shame that these types of treatment opportunities were not available to our ancestors, since alcoholism tends to be passed on through the family.