Expert: james52144@earthlink.net - 12/23/2006

Question
I wonder why I dream of taking every alcoholic and putting them all in a big rocket and sending them all to the Moon or Mars to live?  I'd see that they have the basic creature comforts and necessities.  I'd do it to rid the planet of their distorted thinking.  They'd also have a chance to 'dry-out' and get through their issues.  Say three to four months, without a drink of fix.  That should do it shouldn't it?  I once saw an ABC television program on alcoholism and the announcer said that for every four beds in a hospital 2.3 are full because of alcohol-related illnesses.  The cost to the health care system, the families, the person's employer, and of course, themselves, must be in the billions!  Just think, a few months might do the trick.  Or am I just angry?

Answer
Dear Michael

I would have to smile and agree that you are angry. Alcohol has been a tragedy in many people's lives and wrecks families, careers, marriages and childhoods. You might want to check out Alanon, which is an organization dedicated to helping people who are affected by alcoholics.
By the way, 3 to 4 months wouldn't cure most alcoholics.