A recent newspaper article detailed an attempt by pop star, Amy Winehouse to recover from alcohol addiction while vacationing on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. She was sent to a resort on the island presumably to sober up and get herself well before returning to her recording career in London and the resort staff were put on notice that Ms. Winehouse was not to be served any alcohol while she was a guest.Like many addicts, Amy found a creative and alarming way to acquire alcohol during her restricted stay to thwart her would be guardians. She would simply approach other guests sitting at the bar or in a resteraunt enjoying their drinks and ask them for a light for her cigarette. When the unsuspecting guest reached for a light and looked away for a split second, Amy would simply pick up their drink and walk away. One astonished guest commented to the reporter that she acted "just like a squirrel with a nut!"
This is an interesting example of how we as caregivers, family members and loved ones of drug and alcohol addicts struggle with the complex and unexplainable behaviors they exhibit. As we are reminded repeatedly in support groups and from our counsellors and therapists, people who are addicted to substances exhibit relentless loyalty to the substance even in the face of public ridicule, loss of career and family, disease and even death.
As Amy Winehouse scampers off to drink down other patrons alcohol we can only thank our lucky stars that we are not cursed with this disease and try again to be tolerant and patient with those who are dying from it.
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