It wasn’t just his drinking that he fought against, but all his vices.
Alcohol had made him give in to his temper; in sobriety, Talbot cultivated a spirit of meekness and gentleness.
Alcohol had made him selfish; in sobriety, Talbot gave away all his money except what little he needed to live on and, eventually, also to support his aging mother. He cared for her with great patience and love after his father’s passing, and she died in the peaceful knowledge that her son, freed from addiction, was safely under the care of the Blessed Mother.
Alcohol had made him dishonest; in sobriety, Talbot became obsessed with honesty. He went about trying to make retribution to those whom his drinking had hurt, repaying debts and amending broken relationships. He searched diligently for the street musician whose fiddle he had stolen and sold, but, unable to find him, instead had Mass said for him.
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