g with parents in need of alcohol treatment. These children account for nearly 20% of all referrals to child guidance clinics (Kinney). In this case, the advocates of moderate alcohol consumption have the proper intentions, yet when all dangers are considered, alternate means of physical well-being maintenance should be considered. The effects of alcohol on our society are overwhelming and in this case, the end result would never be positive enough to justify the recommending of alcohol to those who do not drink, and opening them up to a life where the cons always seem to outweigh the pros.Issue 15 (New Edition)Is Total Abstinence the Only Choice For Alcoholics?In Lives Written in Sand: Addiction Awareness and Recovery Strategies, Thomas Byrd illustrates his opinion on why the only way for an alcoholic to live is completely alcohol free. He observes the high failure rate of people who attempt to stop drinking. Byrd illustrates that it is often not physicians that aid in the process of sobriety but this responsibility rests solely on the shoulders of the alcoholic with the help of programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith founded alcoholics Anonymous (AA). There are no dues or required attendance. All that is required is the willingness to accept that there is a problem and the desire to fix it. AA does however work toward a common goal for all of its members, that of complete abstinence. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of en and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” This is the idea that AA is based upon. Self-reliance and the idea of growth, a day at a time is the values that AA instills in its members. AA eventually puts its members in a position in which before they can begin the healing process they must first become accountable for their own actions. For a rec...
