Articles on alcoholism, addiction, and the 12 step program of recovery

The story of a chronic relapsing alcoholic addict who fell into a hole and how he found his way out of a seemingly hopeless situation

A hopeless chronic relapsing alcoholic addict had fallen into a hole and could not find a way out.

A businessman happened to pass by and heard the alcoholic addict crying out for help in a sincere and despairing appeal, "I cannot go on like this! I have everything to live for! I must stop, but I cannot! You must help me!" So the businessman gave him a ladder to climb out of the hole with, but the chronic relapser sold it to finance his next spree only to realize afterwards that his hole was now deeper than ever!

A doctor who was walking by heard the alcoholic addict crying out for help, stopping the doctor said, "Here, take these pills, it will relieve your pain." The alcoholic addict took the pills and said thanks, but when the pills ran out, he was still painfully aware that he was stuck in the hole.

A clergyman happened to be strolling by and hearing the alcoholic addict calling out for help. Stopping, he gave the alcoholic addict a Bible, replying, "I'll say a prayer for you." He got down on this knees and prayed for the alcoholic addict, then left. The alcoholic addict was very grateful and thanked the preacher for the Bible which he read, but realized he was still stuck in the hole.

A renowned psychiatrist walked by and heard the alcoholic addict pleading for help. He stopped and said, "How did you find yourself in that hole? Were you born there? Are your parents to blame? Tell me about yourself, it will alleviate your sense of loneliness." So the alcoholic addict talked with the psychiatrist for approximately an hour, then the psychiatrist said he had to leave, but he would come back next week. The alcoholic addict thanked the psychiatrist for his time even though he was still stuck in his hole.

Finally a 'recovered' alcoholic addict happened to be passing by and heard the poor man's cries for  help. Right away, the recovered alcoholic addict jumped into the hole with him. The suffering alcoholic addict said, "Why did you do that? Now we're both stuck here in this god forsaken hole!" But the recovered alcoholic addict said with a twinkle in his eye, "It's okay brother, I've been here before; I know the way out!"