Alcoholism not only affects persons suffering from it, but throws entire families off guard -- socially, emotionally and financially. But the good news is that families are fighting back and 'living again', says a new book on the subject.
Freelance journalist Maria Viency Cardozo of Raia, Salcete, says there is a need for new understandings into both the life of an alcoholic and "his (or, occasionally, her) family". Her book 'Diamonds Under My Feet', to be released on Saturday May 28, 2016 at 4.45 pm, at the Ravindra Bhavan Margao, focuses on stories of families that have been battling alcoholism both in Goa and elsewhere. She talks to wives, widows, children and even a husband of people suffering from alcoholism, and how they managed to cope with the little spoken about disease. Her 144-page book takes the story to Raia, Morjim, Fatorda, Miramar, Gogol, Campal, Porvorim, Nuvem, Mangalore, Lucknow, Loutolim, Shiroda, Rawanfond, Bangalore and elsewhere. Some in the book believe they benefitted from groups like Al Anon and Alateen, which work to helps the families and teenage children of alcoholics respectively. Among the methods referred to are the Twelve Step programme for recovery from addiction, compulsion or behavioural problems. The process revolves around admitting that one cannot control one's alcoholism or addiction, recognising a Higher Power that can give strength, examining past errors, making amends, learning to live a new life with a new code, and helping others cope. The book priced at Rs 200 is published by Goa,1556 in association with Golden Heart Emporium (Margao) and Saturday's release function is open to the public. Contacts for the author Maria Viency Cardozo at viency8...@yahoo.com 9822125826 or 9326137344. ###