Why Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Death Is So Scary

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24. I'll tell you flat out

how it is for an alcoholic/addict: Long-term sobriety is never a guarantee. All an addict has is today. Just stay sober today. The addict must seek support. He or she cannot do it themselves. They are suggested to join groups and be active, seeking a sponsor as a guide through The Twelve Steps. The must have the humility to know that they are not the center of the universe, and are therefore not in charge. AA/NA are full of Christians and they are God-oriented programs. Yet, and addict does not have to automatically convert to Christianity upon entry into the program. It is possible to be an Atheist and be a member. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop drinking/using.

As a member of AA for several 24 hours, all I know is that a program of recovery saved my life. It only continues to save my life if I continue to practice the principles of the program in all my affairs. Sadly, I have heard several stories of those in recovery who had decades of sobriety who used again, and their story was all the same: they ceased to practice their daily program of recovery.

I grieve Mr. Hoffman, and never met him. I grieve every addict or alcoholic who has died from their disease. I will not judge him and I will not belittle him. My only hope from this horrible story is that those who are sick and suffering from this disease may use this as a catalyst to seek help themselves.