I come across many high powered-centered people with alcohol problems and they are not easy to counsel because they thrive on control. Power is a tool for survival and growth and it is only when it becomes our strict focus, when we seek power for power’s sake, and when we become hooked on our need to control and be right all the time, that we become addicted to objects, situations, or substances like alcohol, that make us feel powerful. We lose sight of the more important goal of channeling the energies of this drive into our drive for meaning. Often, the more intelligent an addictive person is, the more difficult it is to reason with them about their irrational behavior because they have to be in control. It is only when they relinquish control of the situation that they start to progress through their denial that it is them that is the problem; not the family, work colleagues or friends. Power centered people become seduced by the sensation of power and come to see power as a source of comfort and security. For this type of person, spiritual values and principles of life may be important, but they are not as important as power. When we gain power, we also gain a sense of self-confidence. This feels good and we want to keep this feeling alive. When we are not in power or not in control, we often feel bad, at loose ends and vulnerable. If we have to fabricate this “false sense of security” we will reach for the bottle to win back that sense of power as we slur our way through arguments. Unfortunately, the self-confidence of the power-centered individual is most often illusionary. It contributes to the problem; it is not part of the solution. It is a self-confidence that does not build self-esteem.  There is a big difference between confidence and self-esteem.  Confidence is a learned skill and self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves. Both self-confidence and self-esteem are components in the equation of power. They are normally relational in nature, demanding a balance between the two for emotional health.  People who exhibit super self-confidence, at one extreme or extremely low self-confidence, at the other, often suffer from low self-esteem.  It’s very hard to stay sober on low self-esteem. Because power is all important to power centered people, they engage in behaviors that create intense sensations of power, which seem to build their self-confidence. However, this behavior also lowers their self-esteem. To maintain their power base, they will cheat, steal, lie and engage in other negative strategies that also destroy self-esteem. Power-centered people struggle to wrest power away from others and to keep their own, and to add as much power as they can to their horde.  Just like pleasure seekers, power seekers work very hard to feel good and for them, the best way to maintain that feel-good sensation is by proving themselves “right “by whatever means possible. They may physically or verbally intimidate or manipulate others to get their way or they may argue forever to win their point. In the process, they will appear to be utterly self-reliant, able to accomplish any task. They are irreplaceable and irreproachable. They often see themselves as loners who have reached their position through their indomitable will. They think it’s OK to reach their goals by resorting to secrecy and exclusivity and to playing one group off against another. Often they believe the end justifies the means – power at all costs. Through all of these actions, power-centred people enter the trance, which gives them the illusionary feeling of well-being and safety from the chaos of not being in control.  The trance is a comfort zone in which they are safe from fear and anxiety, but it needs continual reinforcement and replenishment. Thus, power-centered people are always involved in some type of power struggle and the belief that they must win these struggles at any cost.  Each discussion they have with other people is a matter of who is right and who is wrong and the power-centered person must convince the others, at all costs, that he or she is right. If not, the result is panic and the apparent loss of control. Not all alcoholics are power-driven but more than 50% of my patients, over the years, I would put in that “control” category and they truly believe that it’s everyone else's fault – never their fault.  They only drink or drug because their family, friends or colleagues, won’t do what they want them to do or agree with them. When they win an argument, they reach for the bottle to celebrate. If they lose the argument, they reach for the bottle to console themselves. Most of my patients are women and I can pick the ones who are self-centered and power driven.  That’s when I know I’m in for a “rough ride” in trying to counsel them overcome their addiction.  Alcoholics suffering with Bipolar 1 or 2 or alcoholics suffering with Borderline Personality Disorder are the ones that like to argue or pick a fight and I’m only the counselor! I’d hate to have to live with them. Even just the ordinary “garden variety” alcoholic is susceptible to temptations of any kind when they are hungry, angry, lonely or tired, or bored, sad, worried, nervous, depressed or physically unwell.  You can’t afford the luxury of a negative thought! l-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. l-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. l-Glutamine is essential for the white cells to fight viruses such as hepatitis B and C. 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