We’re brought up to view a pattern of problems with alcohol or drugs as the result of a variety of other factors— psychological issues, or lack of willpower, or moral weakness, or some terrible past experience. That makes it difficult for most of us to switch over to the view of addiction as a chronic illness.
If you want to help someone recover, it helps to understand the disease they’re suffering from. Scott McMillin, co-author of Freeing Someone You Love From Alcohol and Other Drugs, discusses the signs and symptoms of alcoholism, and how it differs from problem drinking:
