The departure of Heather Cook from her position within the Episcopalian Church is an indicator that alcoholism is pervasive and is completely non-discriminatory in choosing its victims ("Replacement is named for bishop accused in death," May 12).
As a teen, I played football for a recreational league coach who would come to practice totally inebriated. My father had a college friend who would arrive at our house on weeknights, ripped from a night on the town. I remember being amused by these antics. I also knew, even as a teen, that something was just not right about their drunken behavior.
It wasn't until later I became enlightened about how alcoholism is a dark monster that, if ignored or unchecked, guarantees to tear friends and family asunder. In many cases, it has such far-reaching tentacles, affecting so many lives with almost always tragic outcomes.
To those who justify or rationalize that they are "functioning alcoholics," get over it. The description bemuses me. Rather, alcoholism is a black or white issue. Sure, some may believe they operate quite well in a work environment under the influence. That in itself is an indicator how powerful the illness truly is. If one cannot get through a regular eight-hour work shift without imbibing in alcohol, it is just one red flag of just how powerful the monster becomes.
Ms. Cook's life was turned upside down in a nanosecond. I hope she makes the right choices regarding the consumption of alcohol in the future. For her it will be an hour to hour, daily encumbrance.
Making the right choices regarding alcohol going forward just may save her already-tainted life.
Patrick R. Lynch, Nottingham