Page 42 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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THERE IS A SOLUTION 21
him physically and mentally. It may cause him to die
a few years before his time. If a sufficiently strong rea-
son—ill health, falling in love, change of environment,
or the warning of a doctor—becomes operative, this
man can also stop or moderate, although he may find
it difficult and troublesome and may even need med­
ical attention.
But what about the real alcoholic? He may start off
as a moderate drinker; he may or may not become a
continuous hard drinker; but at some stage of his
drinking career he begins to lose all control of his
liquor consumption, once he starts to drink.
Here is the fellow who has been puzzling you, espe­
cially in his lack of control. He does absurd, incredi­
ble, tragic things while drinking. He is a real Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He is seldom mildly intoxicated.
He is always more or less insanely drunk. His disposi­
tion while drinking resembles his normal nature but
little. He may be one of the finest fellows in the world.
Yet let him drink for a day, and he frequently becomes
disgustingly, and even dangerously anti-social. He has
a positive genius for getting tight at exactly the wrong
moment, particularly when some important decision
must be made or engagement kept. He is often per­
fectly sensible and well balanced concerning every­
thing except liquor, but in that respect he is incredibly
dishonest and selfish. He often possesses special abili­
ties, skills, and aptitudes, and has a promising career
ahead of him. He uses his gifts to build up a bright
outlook for his family and himself, and then pulls the
structure down on his head by a senseless series of
sprees. He is the fellow who goes to bed so intoxicated
he ought to sleep the clock around. Yet early next