Addiction is a Family Disease

I was eating lunch at ‘Chillis’ this Saturday afternoon with my family. We sat in a booth next to the bar. We could not help, but notice two men sitting at the bar. Many other people have noticed them as well. One, which looked like he was in his sixties and the younger male next to him looked to be in his thirties. The younger male looked to be disheveled and visibly intoxicated.

As someone who has experience with addiction, I knew this man was under the influence of an illicit substance. He was falling over, unable to keep his head up, and delirious. He got up and down from his chair; went outside to smoke; went to the restroom multiple times during the short period of time we were at the restaurant. At one point I felt compelled to stand up and talk to the older gentleman and offer my support. He said he worked with the man and was trying to help him out and find his wife so she could pick him up. He said: “I don’t know what he did last night, but this is how I found him, and I am just trying to be a good guy to help him out”. I thanked him for his loyalty to his friend and sat back to finish my meal with my family. Needless to say, they were still there when we left the restaurant.

If someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is help for the addict. Please keep in mind their family members and friends who are just as much affected by the cycle of addiction and encourage them to seek help.