This is an anonymous verse I found about 30 years ago and it struck a chord with me, particularly in my work with alcoholics and breaking through their denial. I drank for happiness and became unhappy I drank for joy and became miserable I drank for sociability and became argumentative I drank for confidence and became doubtful I drank for friendship and made enemies I drank for bravery and became afraid I drank to forget and was forever haunted I drank for freedom and became a slave I drank to erase problems and quickly saw them multiply I drank to cope with life and invited death Early in an alcoholic’s drinking history he or she may drink to alleviate anxiety before going to a party or before an important business deal. They may drink to relieve the frustration or anger felt when a workmate is promoted; they may drink out of resentment of being out of a job; they may drink to relieve the tension surrounding financial insecurity. These are just some examples of psychological dependency on alcohol. The second half of an alcoholic’s life is when the physiological takes over and they need to drink because they wake up with a hangover, the shakes, sweats and no memory of the night before. Blackouts are a normal part of life by then and living in the real world is hell, waiting for the next opportunity to have a drink to reduce the emotional pain of living in a sea of alcohol. Alcoholics suffer from many other symptoms, but their resentment focuses on why other people who may drink just as heavily but do not display this lack of control and this psychological and physical dependency. It seems that some people are prone to alcoholism and others are not, in a similar way to the fact that some people are more prone to diabetes, heart disease and cancer. I’ve had a client tell me they would rather have cancer than be labelled an alcoholic.  My sister had cancer and she’s dead. She had no choice in the matter. Alcoholics have three choices: death, insanity or get help! Another anonymous verse that comes to mind as I write this column today is The Rose Garden. It tells the story of how we all need support at some stage in life and the alcoholic is no exception. The Rose Garden There were two little rose buds and they grew and grew into the most beautiful display of roses in the heart of the City.  One rose had a very hard stalk and was strong and straight in its growth.  The other rose was also growing but its stalk had been weakened and damaged by the weather and it was bruised.   But they still bloomed together and no one could tell the difference until the gardener came along. He noticed that one of the rose bushes had a weak stalk and saw some brown patches on the stalk, which he knew might soon spread into the bloom itself.  So he got a splint and he wired the stalk, pruned off the dead leaves and flowers that had weighted it down.   He watered it carefully and nourished it with love. One night a terrible storm arose.  The rose with the healthy stalk was blown and battered by the wind and the rain.  It broke and the rose fell heavily to the ground. In a very short time its petals shrivelled and withered and turned brown.  The rose was dead. But the rose with the weakened stalk, which now had a strong, unbending splint to reinforce it, withstood the gale.  When the storm passed and the sun began to shine, it turned its beautiful petals to the light. In its very weakness it had found strength.  By itself it would not have been able to withstand the onslaught of the elements but with the right support - it survived Amino Acid supplements like Tyrosine for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood.  L-Glutamine can reduce both cravings and the anxiety that accompanies alcohol withdrawal.  A good liver tonic like LivaTone Plus is recommended and can be beneficial in those who have an inflamed liver or a sluggish liver. LivaTone Plus contains all the B vitamins and the amino acid Taurine. It also contains the antioxidant vitamins C and E.   Magnesium Ultra Potent can be taken before bed to assist with a deep and restful sleep. It also helps to reduce stress, very beneficial to a recovering alcoholic.  Magnesium is also known as the “great relaxer”.  Dr. Cabot’s book, Help for Depression and Anxiety is an excellent read for recovering alcoholics.