DRINKING

The National Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Addictions suggested these do's and don'ts's for the friends and families of alcoholics

DO:

Talk to someone who understands alcoholism

Learn the facts about alcoholism

Develop an attitude to match the facts

Go to Al Anon and/or seek professional help

Learn about yourself, your needs, desires, reactions and behavior patterns

Maintain a healthy and consistent atmosphere in your home as much as possible

Share your knowledge with others

Be committed to your own growth, health and life goals- be constructively selfish

DON'T:

Preach or lecture to the alcoholic

Make excuses for the alcoholic

Make threats you won't carry out

Believe you are the cause of the other person's alcoholism

Suffer for the alcoholic

Protect the alcoholic from alcohol or drinking situations whether drinking or in a program of recovery

Make an issue over the alcoholic's choice of treatment

Rescue- let the alcoholic clear up his/her own mistakes and assume the responsibility for the consequences of their behavior.

Drink up: (2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions)  The number of American adults who abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent rose from 13.8 million (7.41 percent) in 1991-1992 to 17.6 million (8.46 percent) in 2001-2002.