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In response to "Alcohol abuse weighs on Army" (article, Feb. 11), I thought of an Alcoholics Anonymous slogan: "You’ve got a body that can’t take it, a mind that can’t leave it alone, and a spirit that is suffering."

The addictive disorders are said to be diseases of control. No duh! It takes a very flexible self-concept and a robust sense of self-worth, and more than one’s solitary willpower to get this kind of disease into remission and keep it there.

And how about "cross" or "serial" addictions — they happen all the time — just replacing one poison with another! How do we "walk the walk" to our healthy goals?

This is a big problem in the medical fields. It requires that the patient collect information, make solid plans, and build a real support system for success and do the work. Wishing alone fails. The 12-step programs for addictive disorders are effective for many people. We can’t know how many because those people don’t seek counseling. They might not want, or even have the option of, such professional behavioral health care.

The main thing groups and sponsors and counselors know is that you have to abstain and simultaneously work to replace what you are giving up, whether it is your entitlement to poison yourself just to relax, to get your stress relief, or to loosen your inhibitions.

You have to practice being soberly calm, courageous, silly or whatever, to walk proud. Believe me: Your mind, body, spirit and family will be happier and healthier.

Lynn C. MarzoniCamp Walker, South Korea

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