(Sorry for delay, soonest could do).
Dear All,
Well, there is a pile of printout on my desk, and I worked through it and replied one page at a time! I will keep this as short as I can, but it does need a little explanation.
MARTIN. Your post of the 3rd.. You mentioned people scoffing at alcoholism in the past. Perfectly understandable, and there is indeed an element of lack of self control... however, for someone even on the verges of 'an alcohol problem', the main problem is the lack of recognition - even of a growing problem. The frequent prominence of alc. in TV & Film, and advertising, are not good, and I am surprised that whilst tobacco advertising has been banned, that stricter controls have not been applied to it's prominence in featuring in those media fields. There is no doubt that excess consumption is on the increase, and it follows obviously that 'miss use' (for want of better words), will increase in parallel. As I mentioned before, there are distinct stages in problematic drinking: the occasional normal drinker (no problem here), social drinker (no real problem but more occasional than the last), the regular drinker (this is where things start to go 'wrong' - or can go wrong), the dependent (must have every day), the alcoholic (must have regularly at various times of the day), and the drunk. Now, this latter category covers someone who simply cannot survive a day without alc. nearly continuously. They can be helped, but they are the most difficult cases. To be brief in this, all the categories can be successfully once the sufferer accepts there is a problem, and want's to do something about it. Luckily this is quite often, but some take much more time/work than others (and can be very hard work for those helping), as to the 'drunk', well, at this stage hospitalisation is the only real way to get things moving. There was a short TV series this last year, tucked away about 11am that I discovered purely by chance, and it was one that should be shown again with more prominence I feel - did anyone see it?
JAN. Again, I must stop smoking I know. Horrible stuff. I am looking at/researching another method of achieving this... but this for another time.
BOBDOC. Binge drinking is indeed a growing problem, and one that will continue until the authorities reduce the opening hours of clubs etc..
TCC. The Mods. do a very good job on this Board, and, whilst this subject is indeed not within anything modelling, it is however generally socially pertinent. During the early 1970's I spent a lot of time in the mining area of Weardale (fluorspar mining). Alcohol featured prominently in the miners social scene, and six or seven pints a night was not uncommon - and more over weekends. I stayed in a nice small pub in those days not far from Alson,, and the place used to be busy every night with locals in the village who worked in foundry at Alston: again five to seven pints a night was quite normal - indeed, no-one really took any notice of it. Anyway, the mines in Weardale are finished, and Alston foundry is long gone. In the good pay days (1972 - 85), it was quite common for 40% of wages to go to the bookies, 30% for home use, and the rest to the pubs. There were four in one village alone, but there is only one now.
PMK. An interesting Post, and I have been thinking about this. Try not to think to badly about this person. Something might no be quite right somewhere. He may indeed be highly pleased with himself for getting off alc.: we have alI come across those who have given up smoking and tell us every minute of the day about there success, even though we have heard it about thirty time before! Just for thought: to give up alcohol can be about ten times harder or more. It is just possible that this person is very pleased with themselves - justifiably - or, is hanging on by his fingernails to keep off it, and to talk about it helps keep his resolve going. I would like to make a suggestion. When you see him next, ask him what it was like to be an alcoholic. Ask him how he came off it and how difficult was it to do. The ask him if he still drinks. If he says no, then gently say, look, we are happy to help you along from time to time, but could you give us a rest from it every now and again. He will most likely apologise, but say, no need, it's just that we come here for a rest - but would be happy to talk just before we go if he wants. However, if he says he does still drink, then you will know where the problem is. You can't do anything about this yourself obviously, but suggest that he sees his Dr. as it's a shame to go so far down the line and not achieve what he wants - say this bit in private and not in front of others. Let me know what happens.
MALC. Thankyou. I made it my business to learn as much about the process as poss. at the same time (this just my nature anyway), but I have 'studied' the matter since. AA can indeed work for many, but others are not suited - me being one. I will still however say that it is an excellent facility run by excellent people, and does a great deal of first class work.
JEFF. What you say re alc. is actually right. It's addiction level is surprisingly close to Class A drugs. It's side affects are bad, not just mentally (depression/anxiety initiator), but also very physiologically debilitating - sometimes it does not need much consumption to achieve these affects. About two months ago I was invited to half day Seminar for alcohol councillors (top up course), and some of the new info. is very interesting - I am still working my way through the Papers!
DAVID. Just the culture these days I'm afraid, and it difficult to know how to handle it. I always advise of the good old solid excuses: 1), Driving, 2), on Meds., 3). It make you ill. People in the main find these easy excuses to give out, and if pushed ('you said that last time'), well, sorry, still the same.
PMK. Your second Post. Let's see what happens with what I mentioned previously. Ok, there are irritating people out there, but I think there might be something else in this case. As to what you said about moderation in consumption, sorry, doesn't work in 99% of cases. As to giving up smoking, well, we all know it's miserable for a while, but it does wear off faster than alc. addiction, though, I must admit, I am not looking forward to giving up smoking... but it's something that I MUST do... I know it is not doing me any good.
IAN. Most GP's will take a plea for help to give up smoking seriously. Far better to get something done about it 'now', rather than have it possibly develop into something nasty later on. You hit the nail on the head about WANTING to stop addictive things, this is absolutely true. This comes a bit into the denial category, but it is too long a subject to launch into here.
TIGER TIGER. True what you say re AA. It does suit many, but it is not for some. If, however, someone is cut out for it, it is first class, and I have seen a great many successes. I have helped 'all sorts', high and low, and have had one or two surprises with people who I thought would not get on with it. There are of course all sorts of other things than can be attended/arranged via gnrl. counselling, that are not on the lines of AA (so, please, anyone reading this, there are all sorts of routes open).
MARK. If you want numbers and suggestion please IM.
BOBDOC. Re you last Post. This is half the problem... people will not talk about it. Obviously there is denial, and this must be overcome first. It is surprising how quickly positive results can be achieved once this hurdle is overcome.
MALC. There is indeed help. The fast track route is for the sufferer to see a GP and simply say they can't cope with it. Many GP's I come in contact with are only too happy to help such cases... again, far better to treat the problem sooner rather than later - saves having to put the pieces back together later on (much harder to do obviously).
CRAFTYSOD. Please PM me if you wish as this is not a matter I would like to address on the Board.
Regards to All, Bernard
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For anyone reading all this who thinks they might have a problem with alcohol, the all the Posts on this Topic is a good rough guide as to what everything is all about. However, there is more too it, and I would be pleased to help/suggest routes if wished. Please ONLY IM, and my email adds. is on my profile.
Regards, Bernard
