Who is a Substance Abuser?
If drugs or alcohol are interfering with your work or causing problems in your personal relationships, you are probably a substance abuser or what AA would call an “Alcoholic.” (The term might be archaic given that most people use a combination of substances and alcohol may not even be one of them. But the concept is accurate.) In such situations, common sense would cause a nonalcoholic to stop drinking or using drugs because work and personal relationships are too important. For non-Alcoholics, the decision is a no-brainer. On the other hand, Alcoholics will risk losing their career and family rather than stop, because alcohol or drugs are so important to them. Unfortunately, Alcoholics are generally in deep denial about the extent of their problem and what is responsible for the difficulties of their life, until they hit rock bottom. Occasionally, lucky ones have a life experience prior to hitting rock bottom, that opens their eyes to the obvious.
