The names, places, and circumstances may vary, but you can be rest assured that most alcoholics and addicts follow a very predictable path. The same rationalizations, secrecy, prevarications and red herrings are used by gutter drunks to Boston bluebloods as if there were an actual manual; I call it the alcoholic playbook.
It can be big news during election season, politicians crowing about who has endorsed who; it is a way of building credibility with voters. Alcoholics and addicts do the same thing, but for an entirely different reason; they are trying to lend credence to the web of lies that makes up their existence. I know it sounds a little convoluted, so let me run you through a couple of series to give you a good feel for the play.
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In the basic form it’s flashing a couple of hundreds at the bar and spending them freely so that people think you have money, even though it was cash from pawned possessions. Those still drinking or testing dirty will share tips and even offer advice to others in a recovery meeting so that someone will comment on how they have their act together or ask for their support. I know nothing reinforced my addictive thinking like having someone compliment my recovery (or ability to handle drugs and alcohol)… even though I had just spent the better part of half an hour convincing them of this lie. I just needed someone else to say I was OK- and then of course it was… time for anther drink. After all, I didn’t have a problem- just ask this guy sitting at the next bar stool.
There’s good reason why birds of a feather flock together, who better to endorse the well-being of an alcoholic than a fellow addict? More Alcoholic Playbook material here.
