All problem drinkers who seek help and find it do not just stop drinking and move into a happy and contented sobriety with the same speed and ease.

Some need to be hospitalised and may come through their convalescence still shaking and unsure of themselves. Others - not in the habit of facing problems directly – may, for a while feel entirely swamped by their responsibilities.

Some will definitely be plagued by feelings of remorse and depression. A few may become tense and for a while at least, hard to live with. Alcoholism may be under control, but many smaller problems invariably remain.

Alcoholics in their enthusiasm for the new life may indeed forget the sacrifices those living with them made during their drinking days. They may plunge into a round of calls to help other alcoholics but seem to have little time to spend with the people they love.

This eventually passes because although sober, the alcoholic still has the same illness and non-drinking alcoholics cannot be expected to change all their erratic behaviour overnight.

As time passes though, the helpful people at Sedqa manage to teach alcoholics to achieve better balance. Every drinking programme is designed not as an escape route but as a bridge to normal living.

Although there are many people with a drinking problem in Malta, it might be wise that if the sight and smell of alcohol upset the newly sober alcoholic, they must use a little discretion and avoid the old drinking crowd, cocktail parties and bar room society whenever possible.

Alcoholics must look after their own sobriety. Thank God for the people around who are always there for the alcoholic.

Valerie Borg

Valletta