My floor in the hospital is where all the alcoholics go. They come in withdrawl. They come in with liver failure. They come in with massive GI bleeds.
They are also frequent fliers. We get to know them well until they don’t make it out of here alive. I work with the psych APN and social worker closely on these cases.
Alcoholism is a disease. It’s likely a severe disease if you have gotten 4 DUI’s.
I’m the midst of being piss drunk, yea, control on rational decision making is not there.
However. Majority refuse help and treatment for their illness. There is treatment, and there is help. But most don’t want to do the work. We have one 35 year old right now who says he has no desire to be sober. We offer every resource . Those with families offer support. They don’t want to do the work.
So, while there it may true while they are under the influence and don’t have proper decision making capacity, there does come a point when you have to take responsibility for your health and your disease and do the work and take the treatment. In your sober moments and on your 4th DUI there needs to be a time to take personal responsibility and say “my disease might kill me and can possibly kill others. I need help “ and actual get the help and do the work.
I have been personally and professions affected by mental illness and addictions. And I fully believe in them. But when the behavior that is associated is dangerous to yourself and others, help is offered, your addiction is not an excuse not to take it and personal responsibility needs to be taken
