we are ashamed of alcoholics because society does not view it as a true illness. Many medical professionals will say it is but believe otherwise. The court system treats it as a crime and not a illness.
Actually, my experience has been the exact opposite -- that the court system views alcoholism as a disease. To the point where spouses of alcoholics are now ordered to continue supporting alcoholics financially after a divorce because
they are sick and can't be expected to support themselves...
What I'm wondering is why a friend can tell me that her husband beats the crap out of her and calls his own children names -- but somehow, telling me he's a drunk is worse? That's the part I don't get. I have a lot of sympathy for an addict. I have zero sympathy for an abusive jerk.