The Struggle with Alcoholism

Chronicles Yozo's progressive alcohol addiction, from social drinking to destructive dependence, and its role in his decline.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

First Taste of Escape

The Beer Liberation The First Drinks Horiki took Yozo to a café and they drank beer. Yozo felt a strange lightness of liberation. He found that alcohol could temporarily dissolve his fear of human beings. The Cheap Sake Under Horiki's tutelage, Yozo began drinking cheap sake. He learned that being drunk made him bold and carefree. The New Habit Drink became a regular part of his routine. He needed it to face the world.

The Alcoholic's Life

The Dependence Grows The Daily Drinking Yozo drank every day, often from morning. He needed alcohol to function. His face became coarse, his teeth fell out. The Financial Strain He spent all his money on liquor. He pawned his belongings and then his wife's clothes. Alcohol was a priority over everything. The Self-Destruction Drinking led to fights, vomit, and blackouts. It was a slow suicide.

The Attempt to Quit

The Promise The Vow Yozo promised Yoshiko he would give up drinking. He hooked fingers with her. For a few weeks, he kept his word. The Relapse Horiki's return brought the temptation. Yozo could not resist. He began drinking again, secretly at first, then openly. The Failure Yozo realized he was powerless over alcohol. It was a stronger force than his love for Yoshiko.

The Substitution: Morphine

The New Drug The Click of the Needle Yozo switched from alcohol to morphine, believing it was less harmful. He injected himself daily, feeling a burst of energy and optimism. The Greater Evil Morphine soon became an even more destructive addiction. It cost more money, and he had to draw pornographic pictures to pay for it. The End of Hope By the time he realized the truth, he was already an out-and-out addict. Alcohol had been replaced by a worse master.

The Final Answer

The End of Addiction The Refusal When Yoshiko offered him the morphine at the hospital, Yozo refused. It was the first time he had ever said no to something offered. This act was a rare moment of clarity. The Return to Nothing In the country, Yozo no longer drank or used drugs. He was a passive, empty shell. The battle with addiction was over, but he had lost everything. The Legacy Alcoholism and addiction had destroyed his health, his relationships, and his spirit. He was a living corpse.

college, introduced by Horiki

college, especially after the suicide attempt

when he married Yoshiko, spring

after Yoshiko's violation, winter

in the mental hospital, and after