People often think that apology is for weaklings and cowards. Such was the motto in the drinking days of the alcoholic or even before his drinking days. In fact, there was never anything to apologise for as it was everyone else who had the problem. Point the finger at other people and there are three more fingers pointing back at you. An apology, when an apology is in order, is a necessary part of mental health hygiene. To omit an apology through pig-headedness and stubbornness is a sure way to stuff up a relationship and propel the alcoholic back to the bottle. Jennifer hadn’t had a drink for six years and was doing all the right things except looking after mental health hygiene when it came to admitting her mistakes in life. One day she got a horrific craving for a drink and rang me to try and sort out this “stinking thinking.” I asked her if there was, by chance, anything or anyone that she had deliberately left out of her “making amends” part of the day. I always suggest to my patients to do a summary at the end of the day and make amends, when necessary, to give them peace of mind. It doesn’t matter if the other person is still hostile or unforgiving, at least the alcoholic has said “sorry” for their part in the argument, and is able to put their head on their pillow at night, knowing they have done the best they could do for that day. I also ask them to ask the question: “what have I done to improve my life today?” and that generates satisfaction that they have done their best, living in the real world. Why an apology is frowned upon by so many people is unknown. Perhaps it is due to a misunderstanding as to the true nature of an apology. However, we feel that the principal reason so many shy away from apology is because genuine apology necessitates genuine humility and genuine humility does not come easily nor is it very attractive to proud human nature. The word “apology” has gone through a transformation in meaning down through the ages to such an extent that the meaning usually attributed to it today is the opposite of its original meaning. I won’t go into that today as it is not relevant to the alcoholic and his/her lack of want to apologise. It is often difficult for the alcoholic to stay sober and keep their price. This is what is behind the ever recurring effort here and there in starting a so-called “slippers” journey through the revolving door of sobriety and drinking. To keep sobriety and serenity, we must take up the action of humility and say “sorry” when we are wrong. It’s amazing the peace of mind that comes over us once we say those words. Even the look on the face of our “enemy” changes and often a look of surprise can lift us up. We did the right thing by making amends, even though it took a lot of effort and the apology was made through “clenched teeth.” The alcoholic personality is so constituted that we cannot tolerate for long emotional upsets and emotional tension. And when the alcoholic refrains from doing something about the tensions and the wrongs that come along, this grows inside us and grows and grows until we explode in anger and end up walking he tight-rope of picking up a drink. Therefore, an apology, admitting our wrongs, talking out our upsets is security for sanity – a stepping stone to sanctity and a safety valve for sobriety and a soporific for serenity. We can’t afford the luxury of a negative thought – even for one day. To help sort out the complexities of anger, resent and self-pity and balance your Dopamine Neurotransmitter, the centre of satisfaction and reward, I often recommend amino acids, like Tyrosine, Gaba and Glutamine, to help balance brain chemistry and a good liver tonic to help repair liver damage. Specific amino acids are essential for the liver to breakdown toxins and drugs and also for efficient metabolism in the liver. Glutamine. This amino acid is required for phase two detoxification in the liver and is required in increased amounts by those who consume excessive alcohol. It is able to reduce the craving for alcohol. Glutamine supplementation is helpful for intestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is the term used to describe an inflamed condition of the lining of the bowel, which makes the bowel too permeable, so that toxins and incompletely digested food particles can be absorbed from the bowels directly into the liver. This increases the workload of the liver and may cause many health problems. Glutamine is essential for the white cells to fight viruses such as hepatitis B and C. Glutamine is converted in the body into glutamic acid, which, along with the amino acids cysteine and glycine, is converted into the powerful liver protector glutathione. Glutathione is essential for liver phase two conjugation reactions used during detoxification of drugs and toxic chemicals. LivaTone Plus is a natural liver tonic containing the liver herbs St Mary’s Thistle, Globe Artichoke and Dandelion, combined with the amino acid Taurine, and Lecithin. It also contains natural sources of Chlorophyll, Carotenoids and fibre. It is available in both capsule and powder form. The liver is the main fat burning organ in the body and regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism. A healthy liver will take fat in the form of cholesterol and pump it via the bile into the intestines where it will be carried away in the bowel actions provided the diet is high in fiber. Tyrosine Mood Food – Tyrosine is a natural amino acid – one of the building blocks of protein. It is required for the manufacture of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) dopamine and noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. Magnesium – the great relaxer. Magnesium plays an essential role in maintaining and promoting efficient muscle function and nerve transmission. Magnesium is a vital mineral for hundreds of cellular enzymes involved in the body’s energy production and metabolism. It is required by the nervous system to regulate the function of nerves and muscles. Magnesium may also assist in the reduction of stress, nervous tension, anxiety and sleeplessness.   The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.