My grandson is going back into the sober living house this morning

[vlyons]

11. I used to drink too much. Had about a dozen grand mal seizures

When I stopped drinking, I stopped having seizures. It all starts with a little voice in your head that says, "I need a drink." That little voice arises in response to something unpleasant physical or mental, sometimes bordom. And an inability or unwillingness to stay present while whatever is unpleasant sticks around.

I stopped drinking about 10 years ago. Getting drunk doesn't interest me at all now, and neither do drugs. I practice Buddhist meditation now, and have read quite a bit about Buddhist psychology and how the mind works. Keep reminding your loved one that everything starts with mind. When that little voice starts droning on about how he needs a drink, he needs to tell himself, "No I don't. Don't go there." Feelings and thoughts are impermanent, like clouds in the clear blue sky. Tell him that he can choose to resist that little voice.