Alcohol and chemical dependency are chronic medical diseases that are marked by denial and loss of control.
No amount of will power or self-determination can stop the brain chemistry from demanding more and more use. Only professional treatment can stop the disease and save the person’s life. Left untreated, many individuals end up in institutions, jails or even die from continued drug or alcohol abuse.
Normally, when people have problems with alcohol or other substances, there is a long period of denial where they usually rationalize their use and the problems that their use creates. It usually takes some time for events to repeatedly occur or to pile up to break the person’s denial before they can consider seeking help.