Dear Annie, You have received several letters recently about people who drink too much. I have been researching this topic since my niece died of organ failure a few weeks ago after years of drinking. She would not seek advice from anyone, but now her problems are over.

The best thing I have found is research by William Porter, a British lawyer who quit drinking seven years ago. He has written several books on the subject of alcohol. His website is http://www.alcoholexplained.com. The first five chapters of his book, Alcohol Explained, can be read online for free. Once you read what alcohol does to your brain, you will never go back. He has written several other books and videos. All are thought-provoking. –Carolyn A.

Dear Carolyn, I am so sorry that this insidious disease has claimed your niece’s life. I have read the five chapters of Alcohol Explained available online. As you noted, the author is a lawyer, not a doctor, but he provides a clear and useful overview of the chemistry behind the disease of alcoholism. I do not share the Alcoholics Anonymous view he represents in the introduction. However, I know that some people struggling with alcohol problems want other alternatives to AA, and self-education through books like these can be helpful. (Other good options include Families Anonymous and LifeRing Secular Recovery.)