NoelleR

These are great questions....as to #1, I guess the answer depends on what one's definition of functional is. I believe that in the life of every alcoholic there is a time (all be it a very short time for some) when they appear to be, and may even be, functioning.....ie: paying bills, keeping a job, keeping a family.....etc. However, due to the fact that alcoholism is a progressive disease, there will come a time in the alcoholic's life where he/she is no longer functional..... )o: So, I guess my answer to that question would have to be 'yes' but it may be functional for such a short time that if you blink you miss it.

Since #2 is a two-part question, a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer just won't do. Therefore.....I believe that if a person has to supress his/her desire for alcohol, sooner or later, in time, that desire, which has been living under the surface for however long; it's going to rear its ugly head, and it will come back with more force and more power than it had before. However, I also believe that if that person works some kind of program of recovery, in time he/she will find that desire has gone; it just won't be there any more..... (o:


NoelleR

P.S. ...and to any of you, if your alanon group (or any group) tries to tell you that relapse is a normal part of recovery, you just put your foot down and tell them.....yes, relapses do occur, however they are NOT any part of re4covery; they are a part of the disease. I have known folks who've had their share of relapses, but at the time, they were not working at their recovery. I have never know a person who is actively working a program (any program) of recovery to have a relapse.