Alcohol is still something to be worried about.
asserted
Alcohol → worry → ?
Granted, national data shows a decline coming out of the pandemic, but the overall numbers are still higher than they were in 2018.
asserted
they → grant → 2018
Not only that, but though Gen Zers and millennials are drinking less, middle-aged adults are drinking more, with an increase in heavy drinking since 2018.
asserted
adults → drink → 2018
Some of this is because middle-aged adults face increased pressures as they try to manage both aging parents and children who are in adolescence or early adulthood and are just finding themselves.
asserted
who → face → themselves
But though drinking may temporarily ease stress, the long-term health risks are significant.
uncertain
risks → ease → stress
A recent study from Colorado determined that older adults are more likely to drink alone, which carries with it additional health risks, including cognitive decline.
asserted
which → determine → decline
There are an estimated 28 million Americans who suffer from alcohol use disorder, with a substantial portion of them being middle-aged.
asserted
portion → be → them
Not only that, but about 50% of the deaths due to alcohol in the U.S. occur among middle-aged adults.
asserted
that → occur → adults
Faith-based cures remain highly effective for alcoholism, with none more effective than Alcoholics Anonymous, which was developed in the 1930s by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith after a chance meeting, the kind that the famed psychiatrist Carl Jung called synchronicity, or meaningful coincidence.
asserted
psychiatrist → base → that
They became messengers of God for each other and ultimately, for millions of other alcoholics with their 12-step program based largely on making a spiritual connection.
asserted
They → become → connection
In my new book, "The Angels Among Us," I devote a chapter to the miracle recovery of Bill Wilson and his consequential friendship with Dr. Bob.
asserted
I → devote → Bob
Bill is admitted to Towns Hospital in New York City in 1934 for the fourth time because of alcohol intoxication followed by withdrawal.
asserted
Bill → admit → withdrawal
He is in the depths of despair and is not sure if he will survive.
asserted
he → survive → despair
And then he experiences the central miracle of his life as he demands that God show Himself.
asserted
God → experience → Himself
"The room lights up with a blinding glare of light.
asserted
room → light → light
Wilson is seized by an ecstasy he has never known.
asserted
he → seize → ecstasy
He stands on a mountaintop with a great wind blowing.
asserted
wind → stand → mountaintop
He thinks to himself, 'This is not a wind of air.
asserted
This → think → air
"Bill feels that a great, clean strength is blowing through him, that he is now free."
Bill Wilson tells about his experience to his medical angel, Dr. Silkworth, who is tending to him there in the hospital, who decides he is not crazy, but that a great psychic event has occurred.
asserted
event → feel → hospital
This changes Bill's life, as the doctor/"angel" advises him to hang on to this experience and to share it.
asserted
doctor/"angel → change → it
By meeting other alcoholics where they live, and not speaking down to them, by not preaching, Wilson and later Dr. Bob spread faith, goodwill, and ultimately sobriety.
asserted
Wilson → meet → faith
In today's world, this lesson remains crucial.
asserted
lesson → remain → world
It is the in-person exchange of peer-to-peer kindness and caring that gives us all the chance to heal.
asserted
that → give → chance
It doesn't work the same way on social media, and self-destructive behavior (including alcohol addiction) is much more likely to occur in isolation.
asserted
behavior → work → isolation
The Aporia
