>(Don't be too encouraged. Amy Winehouse said that too).
>
>My problem has become way too big to ignore. Tonight I called my daughter Allie asking her to check me into a program and take care of things here for 28 days. I will be in a facility in West Allis, Wisconsin. The way I have been living is no way to live. I am still somewhat in touch with the good person who I know still exists inside me. I want to find my way around what would surely be an early death.
>
>No humor this time. This is deadly serious. If you have it in you to pray, please say a prayer for me.
>
>Mike

Mike, if you can hang in there through these difficult times- believe it or not - just surviving and getting older helps.
In spite of ourselves, in some respects we do actually become wiser -if not sharper- as we age.
Think about how many people try unsuccessfully to quit smoking and finally get it done in their forties of fifties- same people, but just a little wiser.
http://neglectedbooks.com/?p=246
If you haven't already, you might look at this book aptly named- "Mine Enemy Grows Older" by Alexander King, a brilliant illustrator who fought addiction for much of his life and finally beat it after being arrested and sent to a federal rehab center.

He was in his fifties when he finally cleaned up and he went on to have a rich life well into his elder years.