‘Reform’ isn’t it

I was surprised and disappointed to find in your article on the Betty Ford Center the term “reformed drinker” [“12 Steps and 22 Years Later,” by Mimi Avins, March 28]. I had thought that by now it was common knowledge that alcoholism is a disease, not a moral failing. Alcoholics do not “reform”; with luck, hard work and support such as that of the Ford Center, they recover.

Carol Easton

Venice