Hi Mudcatters,

A while back I posted a rather arrogant and uninformed opinion about alcoholism. I had an experience which completely turned my head around about it. This post is inan apology for my excessive "high moralistic" tone which was really, as I see it now, obnoxious.

I recently contracted a virual inflamation in my intestines which sent me scurrying to the doctor. He put me on a heavy tranquilizer which contained librium. I quit it cold turkey and went through an agonizing experience and although it's out of my system now, I still have manifestations of the craving such as dizziness, drowsiness etc. which comes and goes. The point is that having had to go through these withdrawal pains I began to understand and have compassion for what the alcoholic folks have to go through and instead of judging them in a negative way, I hurt along with them in their road to recovery. My view toward pain was equally addictive. Go get a med and fix it. It ain't that simple.

So I apologize to those who considered me to be judgemental, (I was) and all I can say is I really understand much more now than I did when I started my pontificating about it. Mudcatters, you told me the truth and I'm grateful for it. Thanks for it and bless everyone who has the problem of addiction wherever you are and I wish you peace and freedom from your pain.

Sincerely,

Frank Hamilton