“All of us have heard and shared in discussions, at Al-Anon meetings, as to whether this should be interpreted as ‘alcohol’ or the ‘alcoholic.’ We have no power over either one.” (ODAT, 26 March)
Once the alcohol is in the system of an alcoholic, their decision-making is compromised; everything is articulated around the necessity of drinking the next drink. The effect of alcohol on the brain and thus on the conduct of the alcoholic is out of my control.
Only someone who has been repeatedly affected by alcohol will have the compulsion to return to the first drink despite the consequences. This compulsion is a direct effect of the person having been affected by alcohol in the past.
This is why the alcoholic’s protestations about their reasons, their motivations, for drinking to excess are not to be believed: if they had not drunk alcohol, repeatedly, in large quantities, over many years, they would not be saying what they are saying. Alcohol has led to this.
I’m powerless both over the effect of alcohol and the person on whom it has an effect.