Paul Gascoigne

[gordondaviesmoustache]

As someone who has encountered a great number of alcoholics in the course of my adult life I would say that it isn't a simple subject.

On the one hand, it is a disease and one that blights many lives. It is far too simplistic to suggest that everyone can 'stop' drinking. It is a condition that compels those in its thrall mentally and physically, which distinguishes it from many other drugs. I would also add that Gascoigne appears to have the type of personalty which requires perpetual stimulation, without any discernible intellect to enable him to find alternative means of distraction, like reading or learning, for example.

On the other hand, his position and relative wealth means that he has access to more creative and luxurious means of trying to deal with his addictions than the vast majority of alcoholics. Those factors (the position and wealth) could also act as an "escape" which isn't available to others: if you work in a shit job, with shit living conditions then sometimes drinking yourself into oblivion is your only means of escape.

So I have, in pretty equal measure: pity, sympathy, disdain and a lack of respect for this deeply flawed man.

I would add one further thing in reference to my first paragraph in this post. I cannot conceive that this situation will end in anything other than a tragic denouement.

It's completely inevitable, sadly.

 

[Anonymous]

Possibly trite of me to say, so apologies in advance, however...

Another of the myriad difficulties with alcoholism is the extent of the role alcohol plays a part in the majority of people's social lives, how it is perceived as pre-requisite to a good time and the peer pressure people unwittingly apply to others when you are drinking.

For instance, was on a stag do on Saturday, got absolutely trashed, which is clearly neither big nor clever. Had a barbeque on Sunday, determined not to drink but was ill and weak willed enough to be pressured into having another drink as a "cure" which then lead to ever more booze.

I lost an uncle and a brother-in-law due to alcoholism, my grandad used to have a pub and my dad always had (and still does to this day) beer in the fridge when we were growing up. It seems I've always been around booze and I'm sure many on here have similar stories. It's an ever present in our lives, often without us realising it is there.

The more I think about booze, the more I realise just what a fine line we can all sometimes tread with it.

 

[WNRH]

The sooner the better for him,sad to say..

You utter prat.
I just hope that none of your loved ones are ever affected by addiction, you ignorant uncaring tosser.
He was a great footballer who now has problems.
I for one hope he makes a full recovery.

I agree with samcaddis, he will never recover, he is a lost cause. He will always return to drink after how ever many sober weeks because of his mental state. He drinks because he is unhappy and his drinking makes people unhappy, it's a never ending vicious circle.

 

[shackattack]

Gazza comes across to me as someone who's only choice re his misuse is total abstinence. I would imagine he has never been a social drinker and the truth is he never will. Let down by most of his friends and family he has to radically change his life and maybe that in itself is too hard for him to contemplate. He clearly uses alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism but truth is it fails him completely. Maybe with a clear head he has a chance but sadly when you see his name in the news you fear the worst.

 

[Chev Chelios]

^This

 

[malg]

I suppose one of his main problems is that alcohol plays a huge part in his profession of choice. It's probably been said already, but he'll probably go the same way as George Best. Shame really as it also blighted England's greatest natural talent in the last 40 years.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

If he had cancer would anyone say, the sooner the better? Alcoholism is an illness, he needs help and treatment like any other illness. Some real sad fuckers on this thread.

If you have read his book its clear he has deep set mental issues and battles these everyday, these started long before he ever signed for Newcastle or had a drink. He has unresolved issues of his best friends little brother running out in the road, getting knocked over and dying, when he was buying an ice cream rather than looking after him like he was supposed to.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

If he had cancer would anyone say, the sooner the better? Alcoholism is an illness, he needs help and treatment like any other illness. Some real sad fuckers on this thread.

If you have read his book its clear he has deep set mental issues and battles these everyday, these started long before he ever signed for Newcastle or had a drink. He has unresolved issues of his best friends little brother running out in the road, getting knocked over and dying, when he was buying an ice cream rather than looking after him like he was supposed to.

Do you have the same sympathy for a lung cancer riddled smoker who's had several lung cancer scares and kept smoking as a six years old child with leukemia?

Life is never as simple as you seem to be portraying it.

Shades of grey.

 

[worsleyweb]

Gazza is a decent bloke with major issues. I think he will be dead in five years. Shame but almost inevitable.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

If he had cancer would anyone say, the sooner the better? Alcoholism is an illness, he needs help and treatment like any other illness. Some real sad fuckers on this thread.

If you have read his book its clear he has deep set mental issues and battles these everyday, these started long before he ever signed for Newcastle or had a drink. He has unresolved issues of his best friends little brother running out in the road, getting knocked over and dying, when he was buying an ice cream rather than looking after him like he was supposed to.

Do you have the same sympathy for a lung cancer riddled smoker who's had several lung cancer scares and kept smoking as a six years old child with leukemia?

Life is never as simple as you seem to be portraying it.

Shades of grey.

I'd have sympathy for both and both would deserve the best treatment available. Just like Paul Gascoigne does.