[not-alone]

Prayers sent for Steve. My husband died
from drinking in 1993. Our son was only 8 then and he will never forget that experience.He can't stand to be around anyone drinking.

[IrishRainy]

My mother died in 1995 at 66 from a combination of factors, most directly attributed to her alcoholism. She weighed 85 lbs and the medical staff thought she looked 85.

She didn't really drink until she got into her 40s, but for some reason her body couldn't metabolize alcohol very well, so her liver became damaged quite quickly. By that time she was addicted, though.

After my father died, she just quit pretending she wasn't a drunk, went rapidly downhill, and died 18 months after my father.

I truly believe it's a disease, with a very strong genetic factor. My father also drank, but he could quit periodically (such as for Lent!) and was basically a "functioning alcoholic."

I grew up with the shameful pain of alcoholism and as such I rarely drink. Although I loved her very much, I refuse to end up like my mother.