Powerlessness

Yesterday’s news about another dead alcoholic cast a pall over the day, as can happen when someone we know succumbs to this disease.

His death reverberated through our community because we not only lost a friend, but also because it’s a stark reminder of the fate we’ll all share if we follow his path. It’s a sad reaffirmation that what we hear in the rooms and read in the 12-step literature will happen - if we don’t get serious about recovery.

Today I reflected upon how powerless we are when it comes to helping others. In the case of this man many reached out over and over. And just when it seemed he was getting it, when he appeared to be working the program, he’d disappear into the maelstrom of another relapse.

A week or two later we’d be getting garbled phone calls in the middle of the night as he begged once more for help. We’d eventually relent, thinking he might be serious this time.

But after a while his focus would shift from being grateful to worrying about the alcoholic girlfriend who “needed his help.” And before long he'd be back with her – and a bottle – once again.

Hopefully his passing will remind us of the powerful disease we face.