Coping with alcoholism

Alcoholism and drug addiction is a widely prevalent problem in society today. Studies indicate that about 10% of the world population has a problem with addictions. In poorer countries, the figure is likely to be higher.

Today, alcoholism is recognised as a disease. The World Health Organisation defines alcoholics as "excessive drinkers whose dependence on alcohol...shows a noticeable disturbance or an interference with their mental and bodily health, their interpersonal relations and their smooth social and economic functioning...they therefore require treatment."

Alcoholism has a devastating effect on all areas of the affected person - physical, social, financial, emotional and spiritual. His ethical or value system is greatly eroded - he easily lies, cheats, manipulates or steals to maintain his habit. It adversely affects his relationships with family, colleagues and friends.

The American Medical Association defines alcoholism as "an illness characterized by preoccupation with alcohol and loss of control over its consumption...by progression and by a tendency toward relapse. It is typically associated with physical disability and impaired emotional, occupational and/or social adjustments...is regarded as a type of drug dependence of pathological extent and pattern..."

Like all diseases, addiction (alcohol or drugs) has certain characteristics. Details may vary from person to person, but the symptoms and patterns are predictable.

First of all, it is primary: that means the problem is within the alcoholic and not caused by any external influences. Modern research has identified a genetic factor in the disease and scientists have isolated certain chemicals or neurotransmitters in the brain, which are directly related. Parents usually blame their child's "bad company". Psychiatrists tend to attribute the problem to some childhood trauma. Alcoholics themselves give a variety of excuses, such as too much stress at work or too little love and understanding at home.

This is typical, since addiction is characterised by a lot of denial - within the alcoholic and in his family. Both try to justify, rationalize and blame people, places and situations. Both will adopt various control strategies to reduce or stop his habit. The alcoholic may resolve to drink only in the evenings, or only on weekends, or shift from whisky to beer. However, all control strategies inevitably fail.

Second, addiction is a progressive disease. Starting with an occasional glass of beer, an alcoholic needs increasing quantities to achieve the same `high', since the body develops tolerance towards the drink or drug.

Third, alcoholism is a family disease. It affects the entire family, especially the wife, parents and children. They are victims of addiction who do not take drinks or drugs. They experience similar negative feelings as the addict - fear, anger, hurt, confusion, guilt, shame, hope followed by despair - without taking the drink or drug. Even their behavioral patterns become similar. Just as the addict tries various control strategies to reduce or stop drinking, the family members also begin to lie, manipulate and deceive in their vain attempts to control or cover up his habit. The family members are in desperate need of proper help, support and understanding.

Fourth, it is an incurable disease. However, it is treatable. Like diabetes, a regular treatment schedule is required to keep the disease in check. An abstinent alcoholic cannot take a drink and hope to continue a controlled pattern - he will inevitably return to obsessive and compulsive drinking, and get worse. Total abstinence is the only way.

It is a highly relapse-prone disease. A rigorous maintenance schedule is essential in order to stay sober.

Fortunately, appropriate treatment is now available. Two ex- alcoholics, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, in 1936, founded the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in Akron, USA. AA defines alcoholism rather poetically, but aptly as "a sickness of the soul".

Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. Its recovery programme is based on 12 steps, and it has helped about 4 million persons recover worldwide. Most of the modern treatment centers base their recovery programme on the 12 steps of AA.

Alcoholism is one of the most perplexing problems, and its treatment requires an equally complex, at times lengthy, approach. There is no medicine, no short cuts, and no sure-shot cure.

The alcoholic or drug addict may appear to be a "bad" person. But the fact is that he is sick. And he needs help.

--Rahul Luther

(The author is a certified addiction therapist, available for consultation at Freedom Foundation (Ph:7816560 or Mobile:98480 69609). e-mail: rahul-luther@hotmail.com.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : TDP gains headstart over rival parties
Next     : UTI Bank opens collection counter at Commercial
           Tax office