Alcohol use disorder, sometimes called alcoholism, is a disease that many people feel that they must keep it hidden — from themselves, as well as from family and friends.
But when you’re ready, there are two important reasons to widen the circle.
“Addiction thrives in isolation and recovery happens in community,” says Marvin Ventrell, CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.
“In any substance use disorder, feeling shameful and keeping it a secret are all part of the condition, and we have to push through that to be well,” says Ventrell, who is in long-term recovery.
“We have a…
