Dying for a Drink: A Pastor and a Physician Talk about Alcoholism
by Alexander DeJong and Martin Doot (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999)
Summary:
In Dying for a Drink, a minister and a doctor take turns describing alcoholism from a personal and clinical view. Their aim is to offer hope while helping readers to understand the social, medical, psychological, and spiritual elements of this widespread disease. Significant attention is given to the way that family members cope with their loved one’s alcoholism.
Pastor DeJong begins the book by telling of his own long struggle with alcoholism and the events that led him to seek help for his disease. He shares openly about his denial, the continuing escalation of his drinking, and the self-blame that accompanied it. The second chapter is written entirely from the perspective of Joanne, Pastor DeJong’s wife, and deals with the effect alcoholism has on a family. She writes of her own denial, ambivalence, and the embarrassment she feared when their secret was discovered. She reinforces the fact that no friend or family member can “fix” the problem of alcoholism by himself or herself but provides suggestions on what friends or family can realistically do to help. Then, the DeJong’s family physician explains how a problem drinker can be gently encouraged to seek help, how alcoholism is treated, and the medical basis for alcoholism. Pastor DeJong concludes the book by describing the recovery process and the resources he found necessary for healing: community support, grace from God, and 12-Step programs. Each of the five chapters offers discussion questions. A chart at the end of the book contains Bible verses that correspond to each of the 12 steps.
Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?
Dying for a Drink blends a minister’s personal experience and a doctor’s medical knowledge to present a multifaceted look at alcoholism and its effects. It is a good introductory text for churches, counselors, health-care professionals, and individuals and their families who are struggling with alcoholism or want to learn more. 
