@jmax44 Agreed.

I joined AA in 2003 at age 48. I'm 71 now and sober for 15 years and counting. (I relapsed after the first 4.5 years and made it back, with great difficulty, years later. My advice - don't relapse - nothing has changed.)

After much thought, I think "disease" is the best way to describe addiction. "Condition" is accurate but doesn't have teeth.

It is a serious problem for many. And many die from it. Many innocents are killed by it.

It is especially hard for parents with teenagers. What is just youthful curiosity and fun-seeking versus addiction? Two things for parents to keep in mind - 1) addiction/alcoholism is inherited. Watch your kids a bot closer if the disease is in your family and 2) let your kids have fun while they're young, but mainatain a watchful eye.

Recreational drugs are always evolving, think fentanyl and ecstasy - so let your kids have fun, but stay close and make sure they know not to operate a car after drinking/using or to be in a car driven by someone who has been drinking/using. Don't be judgmental. Let them know that no questions will be asked if they call needing a ride, at any time.

Do be firm. Addict or not, these are serious and avoidable situations.

Joe