The Emancipation of N

TO speak of the emancipation of an alcoholic seems at first a paradox, because isn't the alcoholic the one person who lives completely free and unhindered by responsibility? This is the popular conception. As an alcoholic, I want to be emancipated from the torments of a life completely devastated by the opinions of others. . .a torment which plays an important part in my whole alcoholic problem. Abstinence from alcohol does not alter my situation in this respect.