HELPING YOUR ALCOHOLIC BEFORE HE OR SHE HITS BOTTOM

The tough-guy approach to the treatment of alcoholism for the families and friends of the victim by Fajardo, who runs a treatment center in Nashville, Tenn. Meant to be used in conjunction with more formal methods of treatment--AA, an alcoholism counselor, a psychiatrist--the author's approach is designed to coerce the drinker into treatment, rather than to cure him. ""Trust me,"" says Fajardo as he advocates the unwavering ultimatum as the only sure way to force the drunk to seek help. And there's the flaw.