Wellness

[software]

I actually have more empathy for the obese.    We must eat, yes they make poor choices for whatever reason, usually some sort of mental illness.   But we can avoid & live without alcohol.   Food, that's a different story.

The obese are horribly mistreated while society embraces alcohol & the alcoholic, recovering or not.

[Imadickens]

@libbyannE: I am so happy for you and your mother! Success stories give everyone hope!  I rarely drink as well! I have a huge familial disposition to many addictive outlets! I am proof that one can avoid the trap! As an only child and a strong person I have had to deal with more than my share of stress and hard times! I lived through things that literally killed others in my family! I have had many of my own issues but thank God alcohol, drug abuse, and gambling were not some of them! I have faced demons head on and beat them. I am not sure why I was the one who did, but I guess it's a good thing I did! My mother did, too! Of course she didn't have all the DNA for addiction, still... 

I have seen first hand how distructive these diseases are to the person and everyone around them! I know heredity is a powerful determinant, but like one poster said, it's still a choice! But, those of us who haven't been trapped by those addictive behaviors shouldn't judge others, famous or just family. There by the grace of God go I....

[libbyannE]

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@software wrote:

I actually have more empathy for the obese.    We must eat, yes they make poor choices for whatever reason, usually some sort of mental illness.   But we can avoid & live without alcohol.   Food, that's a different story.

The obese are horribly mistreated while society embraces alcohol & the alcoholic, recovering or not.

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I think we can all be compassionate and not judgmental toward everyone, whatever their issues but there seems to be a lot of bias out there, as you say. Sadly, many of the posts here showed little compassion toward or understanding of alcoholics. I have food issues myself and have to be conscious of what I am eating and why because I get compulsive. It's only through mindfulness that I keep my weight more or less in check, not that I shouldn't lose a few pounds. My mother, as I wrote in earlier posts, fought alcoholism -- successfully. I always think "but for the grace of God...." and am simply grateful for the problems I don't have while trying hard not to judge others.

[libbyannE]

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@Imadickens wrote:

@libbyannE: I am so happy for you and your mother! Success stories give everyone hope!  I rarely drink as well! I have a huge familial disposition to many addictive outlets! I am proof that one can avoid the trap! As an only child and a strong person I have had to deal with more than my share of stress and hard times! I lived through things that literally killed others in my family! I have had many of my own issues but thank God alcohol, drug abuse, and gambling were not some of them! I have faced demons head on and beat them. I am not sure why I was the one who did, but I guess it's a good thing I did! My mother did, too! Of course she didn't have all the DNA for addiction, still... 

I have seen first hand how distructive these diseases are to the person and everyone around them! I know heredity is a powerful determinant, but like one poster said, it's still a choice! But, those of us who haven't been trapped by those addictive behaviors shouldn't judge others, famous or just family. There by the grace of God go I....

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@Imadickens

I just wrote the " but for the grace of God" quote in another post. I say that all the time!  I appreciate your words, your story, and your attitude. xo

[Greeneyedlady21]

I am waiting to watch it, as someone  who has been deeply affected by growing up with two alcoholic parents. My father is in his 80's and in a facility, he has dementia as a result of his drinking. My mother finally quit about four years ago. I know that she suffers from anxiety and was self medicating. Most likely depression too. I have some of  those issues but I am determined not to turn to alcohol. I have found more positive ways to cope. 

Maybe for people like me and others it helps to  see someone like Elizabeth, helps in understanding and helps to feel less alone. I don't care about her celebrity or whether or not alcoholism is a disease. All I care about and know for sure is the pain that it creates.

[libbyannE]

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@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:

I am waiting to watch it, as someone  who has been deeply affected by growing up with two alcoholic parents. My father is in his 80's and in a facility, he has dementia as a result of his drinking. My mother finally quit about four years ago. I know that she suffers from anxiety and was self medicating. Most likely depression too. I have some of  those issues but I am determined not to turn to alcohol. I have found more positive ways to cope. 

Maybe for people like me and others it helps to  see someone like Elizabeth, helps in understanding and helps to feel less alone. I don't care about her celebrity or whether or not alcoholism is a disease. All I care about and know for sure is the pain that it creates.

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@Greeneyedlady21

I feel for you and understand. My mother had such stress after my beloved stepfather was killed in a car accident two weeks after he retired. A doctor told her to try to relax in the evening with a drink. That's when she started. Bit by bit, she slid into alcoholism. I cope using food, instead, so I always have to think about why I feel like eating something. By the way, my father, 94, and stepmother, 92, both have forms of dementia, and neither ever drank. Still, my stepsister and I are dealing with that every day, so I feel for you. For the moment, we are keeping them at their home with in-home 24-hour care, but it still requires daily interaction on our parts. 

[KYToby]

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@Mz iMac wrote:

I have no desire to read a celeb's story regarding their alcohol and/or drug abuse or watch them tell their stories.

As far as I am concerned, they have all the $$$ needed to get the proper help.

That being said......

I do watch the movie Days Of Wine & Roses starring Jack Lemmon & Lee Remick every time it comes on. 

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How utterly insensitive and misguided.

Money neither prevents nor solves the problem.  Celebrity status neithe prevents nor solves the problem.  The problem is not a character flaw or matter of personal choice.  This is a condition which affects the alcoholic and those around him (or her) profoundly.

I know someone in whom I have absolute trust and whom I admire more than anyone.  He is caring, compassionate, ethical, and is loved by all who know him.  That said, earlier in his life, he had a horrible drinking problem.  He came from a wealthy family, and he spent years in and out of rehab.  Ultimately, the money did not "fix" anything.

[colliemom4]

I've always liked her and watched the show. However I found the way Diane acted during the interview rather strange. I wondered if she was judging Elizabeth. Diane seemed very detached for lack of a better word. My SIL is an alcoholic and living a very wreckless lifestyle. She does unsafe things such as meeting up with strangers all the time. She does not want help. It's very sad and scary to watch.

[Imadickens]

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@colliemom4 wrote:

I've always liked her and watched the show. However I found the way Diane acted during the interview rather strange. I wondered if she was judging Elizabeth. Diane seemed very detached for lack of a better word. My SIL is an alcoholic and living a very wreckless lifestyle. She does unsafe things such as meeting up with strangers all the time. She does not want help. It's very sad and scary to watch.

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I am sorry for your family! It's hard enough to deal with one in denial, but to have that person be so wreckless compounds the problem exponentially!  I thought the same thing about Diane. To be honest, I felt Elizabeth did not seem fully committed to staying sober. I hope I'm wrong! Obviously, I have no way of knowing what she does or does not feel inside. I just felt her thoughts at the end, what should have been the strong, "one day at a time" make it through today, worry only about today, was a little too tentative when she said that you can only live for today and you don't know what will happen tomorrow. It just sounded to me like she was not totally sure of her ability to stay sober, even for her boys. Maybe this is the way it goes, I don't know. I truly wish her well and pray that she, and everyone struggling with any addiction, finds strength and the willpower and support to get through the hard times and stay sober!

[colliemom4]

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@Imadickens wrote:

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@colliemom4 wrote:

I've always liked her and watched the show. However I found the way Diane acted during the interview rather strange. I wondered if she was judging Elizabeth. Diane seemed very detached for lack of a better word. My SIL is an alcoholic and living a very wreckless lifestyle. She does unsafe things such as meeting up with strangers all the time. She does not want help. It's very sad and scary to watch.

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I am sorry for your family! It's hard enough to deal with one in denial, but to have that person be so wreckless compounds the problem exponentially!  I thought the same thing about Diane. To be honest, I felt Elizabeth did not seem fully committed to staying sober. I hope I'm wrong! Obviously, I have no way of knowing what she does or does not feel inside. I just felt her thoughts at the end, what should have been the strong, "one day at a time" make it through today, worry only about today, was a little too tentative when she said that you can only live for today and you don't know what will happen tomorrow. It just sounded to me like she was not totally sure of her ability to stay sober, even for her boys. Maybe this is the way it goes, I don't know. I truly wish her well and pray that she, and everyone struggling with any addiction, finds strength and the willpower and support to get through the hard times and stay sober!

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@Imadickens Thank you for your encouraging words. I received the same impressions about Elizabeth that you did. What she was saying and how she was acting didn't match up. She didn't seem serious at all. I do wish her well and hope she can maintain her sobriety.