Adam Mitchell

My cousin Adam passed away this Monday, March 23rd. In the words of his mother, my aunt, who was 100% there for me and my siblings after my mom passed away (due to similar situations): 

To understand why alcoholism is a disease, it is important to know about the neurological effects of alcohol on the brain. Simply put, heavy drinking over time causes changes in neurotransmitter activity that the brain must adapt to. In people physically predisposed to alcoholism, this adaptation eventually turns into a fixed craving as the body finds it cannot live without the effects of alcohol. Something that started out voluntarily and enjoyable turns into something more serious--a physical dependence that can cause horrible withdrawel symptoms. This explains why alcoholics cannot just quit drinking like their nonaddicted counterparts can. Thus, it is not the behavior of drinking that is defined as an illness. It is only when the craving to drink becomes involuntary that alcoholism can be thought of as a disease. A disease that eats you from inside out. It consumes you, it controls your life. If you feel like don't give up, get help,don't deny help ask for help.

I’m forever grateful for my aunt. It is my turn to help her through these dark moments that she is going through. Help her find the light and the sun on her face again.  Any little bit helps. Thank you