“The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.” Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 3
When an alcoholic or addict is in the grips of their addiction, the struggle for many is to both control and enjoy their drinking and using. As most people in recovery will tell you, it is sometimes possible to control and it is sometimes possible to enjoy but if one of those two is happening, the other is not. The unmanageability of the actual drinking and using, however, is but one facet of the unmanageable life lived by alcoholics and addicts.
Unmanageability pervades personal and professional relationships, financial well being, professional livelihood, emotional existence and day to day living of every alcoholic and addict. If an alcoholic or addict is to recover, they must learn to identify the areas of unmanageability in their lives and to see not only where alcohol and drugs contributed to it, but where they attempted to manage it using them.
When an alcoholic or addict makes the decision to enter a drug detox or rehab center, they are surrounded by professionals who are trained and have the experience to guide them through this process as part of the foundation for a lifelong recovery and freedom from drugs and alcohol.