By Andrew Culkin
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   There are many moving parts that need to be in place to create an alcoholic. There are many different levels and reasons for each individual cursed with this form of mental handicap. Factors such as hereditary tendency, environment, living situation, trauma, hardship, personality traits, age, sex and even cultural mores. We are still in the infancy of understanding the deepest roots to the problem of alcoholism, drug addiction and related mental health care issues.Â
   As we search for a more significant professional understanding my wish is that we create greater empathy as a society in the interim. Judgement in this case is a greater reflection on the judge than the defendant. Let us find ways to be emotionally less reactive and grow in our understanding of this scourge upon the  human species.Â
  In Amanda’s case my wish is to find purpose in the life I spent with her. Purpose where it often seemed there was a life void of purpose.Â
      I also  want the experience of her life to have the ability to help others. Without a doubt every word of this book would have brought immense shame to her. She would have hated being exposed and poked and prodded. This in itself is a large part of the problem. A disease is not something that you can sweep under the carpet like an inconvenient truth. Alcoholism, drug addiction and other related mental health issues need to be discussed openly and honestly.Â
       Amanda   “A Cautionary Tale” is designed to further the conversation and find new and better approaches to combatting this plague that affects us all.Â
AndyÂ
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