Brian knew he had been drinking more and more, but he was convinced that he'd return to more moderate drinking when he wasn't so pressured at work, and that "a few too many drinks now and then" wasn't a major problem.
"My wife and father were on me to stop drinking, but you know how critical and protective family can be," said Brian. "So I blew them off."
It wasn't until his friend Jack spoke up that Brian started to think differently. "That really hit home, because I wouldn’t expect a friend to confront me with something that personal unless it was very important," said Brian. "Jack said he was really concerned about me. He pointed out that my personality changed after I had a few beers--that I became belligerent(寻衅的). For a normally easy-going guy, that was a dramatic change in behavior."
Jack could see that Brian's numerous drinking binges(放纵) were causing problems. Brian was frequently calling into work sick and falling behind in his work, and his marriage was seriously on the ropes. Brian was teetering(摇摇欲坠) on the edge of disaster. "I didn't want to see a good life and a good friendship ruined," said Jack, "so I approached Brian, shared my honest observations with him, and suggested that he seek help."
After a couple days of soul searching, though still reluctant, Brian took Jack's suggestion and was assessed by an addiction professional. The expert recommended that Brian check into a treatment center, and one day later Brian did so.
Many people fear taking the path that Jack took. Speaking up to a friend who may have a problem with alcohol or other drugs can be a tricky undertaking.
Yet it's true that a concerned friend can do a lot. Most people don't recognize they have a substance abuse problem and most don't seek help for a problem until someone close to them intervenes(干预).
1.What happened to Brian according to the passage?
A. He suffered from an illness called alcohol addiction.
B. He changed so much that he was deserted by his family.
C. He became morally corrupted drinking too much all day.
D. He drank a little more than normal to escape the pressure.
2.What does “that” in the 3rd paragraph refer to?
A. Brian’s drinking binges. B. Jack’s talk with Brian.
C. Wife and father’s intervention. D. Brian’s different thoughts.
3. Brian could accept Jack’s suggestions mainly because ____________.
A. he found his friend was very critical and protective
B. Jack’s suggestions were professional and persuasive
C. Jack and Brian’s family had different opinions
D. he knew his friend wouldn’t easily intervene his personal affair
4. Brian’s alcohol abuse brought him many problems EXCEPT ____________.
A. his refusal to listen to his family B. his bad temper and aggressiveness
C. his failure to do his work well D. his marriage problems
5. The writer narrates Brian’s story in order to ____________.
A. tell us the bad results of alcohol addiction
B. warn us not to fall into the habit of drinking
C. show friends have real power to intervene
D. prove a friend in need is a friend indeed
