A REFLECTION FROM ONE OF MY FRIENDS
WHAT
THE DISEASE OF ALCOHOLISM MEANS TO ME
Alcoholism might be
considered a disease but it is one that acts like no other. She is the most
beautiful women in the world. A seductress luring me into a world and into situations
that I knows will be bad for me in the long- term but oh’ so good in the
short-term physically and mentally. This woman will make promises: I can work
harder, feel better about myself, can laugh, feel no pain, make friends, and
fly to the highest of heights without the fear of falling. Also, if by the
slightest of chances, I do fall down, it will be alright: I won’t remember a
thing except darkness and I can use her as an excuse. She will be my strongest
ally. She will also help me to lie, cheat, and steal. This I will do because I
love her so much and want more of her. She will reward me for this. She will
always make any situation better. Or so I thought.
This frenzy of emotion
has lasted for years. Alcoholism has been one of the longest relationships I
have ever had. Yet, as years pass her demands become more. Friends are
alienated and relationships are compromised so that she may have me as her own.
Then, when we are finally alone, she turns on me and tears out my soul until
there is nothing left of who I was or the values I treasured.
In the Bible, in the Book of Proverbs, there
is a verse that says, “
Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
14 “Today
I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”
21 With
persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]
23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.”
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]
23 till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.”
She is
that woman dressed like a prostitute and I long for her companionship even
thought I also know what it will bring me. This is what the Disease of Alcohol
is to me. She comes forward professing love and the treasures of life but will
soon swallow me whole and turn on me. I become like an ox going to the
slaughter and to utter destruction. My thoughts are transformed into her
thoughts and I obey everything she says until I am finally dead.
Jonathan Striker
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