It may seem a mostly fun world of beer but alcohol has some huge downsides. No matter the reports that claim and counterclaim positive benefits. That is why I am always on the lookout for books about the topic, and I found a new one by Leslie Jamison, The Recovering.
And this book, though hard to read and fathom the depths of suffering caused by addiction, is excellent in showing what it is like to go through. It is carefully written and unflinching in detail.
The story weaves the author’s personal journey to sobriety amidst examination of other writer’s depictions and struggles with alcohol and drugs. You also get a mini-History of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) as well.
You quickly learn that the stories of addiction, while outwardly dis-similar, have many of the same characteristics. Empathy and not stigmatizing those who are caught up in the addiction is key.
Both sides of my family have drinkers and knowing that coupled with a revulsion of that spinning feeling when too much has been drunk has kept me restrained. I have counted ounces and set goals for my beer drinking which I think will serve me well as I grow older. But if I didn’t have that, this book would be a “scared straight” revelation. Drunk me won’t be able to solve problems that sober me is having difficulty with at all.
In the end, get help. Be it AA or medication or therapy. Or ideally, a combination of all three. Jamison has had a turbulent life but her gained wisdom will be of great service.