Talking the Talk

In a recent meeting I heard a statement which I found very disturbing. I've heard the same thing said many times and it has always annoyed me, but I never really considered its implications until now. One member of the group was describing a discussion he had had with a co-worker earlier in the day. During their talk his friend revealed that he thought he had a drinking problem and concluded, "I'm an alcoholic. I need to go to treatment."