Alcohol Addiction - Papaw’s Story
Alcohol addiction is not always the obvious monster in the beginning that it ends up being over time. Sure, it will eventually take your life through any number of dangerous circumstances - but you do not always see it coming. This is a true story about how alcoholism can sometimes be found in the least expected places.
My Papaw was one of the most gentle men I had ever known. While he kept a gentle demeanor, he was one of the strongest men I had ever known. He would work a fourteen hour day six days a week like it was nothing. It was common to see my Papaw come home and sit down in his recliner and have a mixed drink, but it was far from alarming to us.
When we were little, all of the parents drank some. All of my Uncles, Aunts and extended family would get together often and have parties or get togethers. It was par for our course to spend weekends as a big group. All the kids would play while the adults would talk, party or just spend time together. It was a wonderful time in my life. The fact that Papaw had a drink now and then was completely lost on me and my cousins.
The reason we never really noticed it was because he was able to completely function without any signs of being drunk. Papaw was a master at hiding the fact that he was drunk. What we saw as gentle was also his way of not talking very much. As such, it was normal to all of us Grandkids. His daughters and wife knew, but they never shared that concern with us.
As we got older, it became more obvious that Papaw was an alcoholic. We were so confused as to what to do. Talking to him was kind of a waste of time at that point, because he had been drinking like this for close to sixty years. We kind of accepted the fact in many ways. Papaw never drove a car at that time and he was far than an unpleasant drunk in any way.
After all those years drinking, he died sitting in his easy chair one afternoon out of the blue. The listed cause was heart attack, but we knew the alcohol had caught up with him. His liver had to be on it’s last leg. We buried this wonderful troubled man with heartache and regret.
I often wonder what might of happened if we had realized that he was drinking much earlier in life. I question not having that conversation with him many times. The truth is, he fooled us. Do not assume that alcohol addiction is only present in those that are obvious. Even quiet and polite people can be alcoholics.
Papaw is gone now and I miss him very much. If you suspect that someone is fighting a silent battle with alcoholism, or you are fighting it yourself, do not hesitate to get some help. There are many forums out there if you are not wanting to talk to anybody in person yet. It can be a first step to speak with someone that has been where you are at. Find help somewhere, because alcoholism will not go away on its own.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment