A longtime client relapsed recently and of course we were powerless to stop him. We could see the signs. He was becoming increasingly angry and impatient. Everything seemed to frustrate him. When his behavior was brought to his attention he would brush it off by saying that he was "okay."

When he reported to work the morning he left he seemed angry. And before the manager could find out what was going on with him he was headed to the liquor store. The tragic thing about this relapse is the last time he went out he almost lost his life. He was taken to the hospital after being found n the middle of the summer passed out on a Phoenix sidewalk with second degree burns.

His supervisor and others around him confronted him about his behavior, seeing the signs of impending relapse, but to no avail.

This client had been attempting get a full year of sobriety for many years. But each time he has obtained a period of sobriety he gets a craving that overwhelms him. Even though he knows the 12-step programs in and out he is unable to use the tools he has available.

We wish him well and hope he finds his way back. However, the last report on him was that he was spotted drinking on the streets of Las Vegas.