Look, June 26, 1945

Case History of an Alcoholic

LOOK’s unposed pictures record the end of an epic binge, and its treatment by AA

Produced by Paul Marcus, Editor

specific illness, their mutual concern is recovery This is Joe, an alcoholic, on the fourth from that illness for themselves and all men and day of a binge. He is drinking beer because women like them. Joe, who lives in Minneapolis, that’s all he can get at the moment. His last was helped by the AA group in his city. Because dollar is lying on the table. Finding the glass too he hoped his story would encourage other slow, Joe drains the bottle till he blacks out. For alcoholics, he consented to publication of the him alcohol is not a beverage, but a disease; he record of his last drunken hours, and his can’t cure himself, needs very specialized help. subsequent steps along the road to sobriety. ln One in a million is Joe, the subject of the presenting the complete chronicle, LOOK remarkable picture sequence on these and the salutes the altruism of this man and the following pages. Joe (the name is fictitious) is an unstinted co-operation of his mentors. alcoholic–one of an estimated one million alcoholics in the United States today. With a few Alcoholics Anonymous in action is pictured on minor deviations, Joe’s story could be the story the following pages [picture captions only]. of them all. ln his late 30’s, he has been an 1 Goming out of his drunk at home next day, uncontrolled drinker for 10 years. He has drunk Joe (acquainted slightly with AA) has phoned for himself out of jobs, friends, allthe amenities of a help. Two members, ex-alcoholics now highly constructive place in society. He has been respected in their community, answer his call, drinking, not for a temporary lift or because he are ready to help if Joe really wants to get well. likes the taste of liquor, but to escape reality. Psychiatrists say the alcoholic is an 2 Told that he needs hospitalization, he has a individual who, at some stage of his temporary change of heart, claims his call was a development, refused to grow up; he finds mistake. But these men, having been through himself uncomfortable in maturity. Joe, like all the mill, can’t be tricked, combine sympathy and alcoholics, has sought to drown this discomfo( discipline to get him into his coat. in the dream-world of drinking. ln his sobering off-periods he has known guilt and remorse; but 3 On his way to the sanitarium, Joe shows later, finding himself lonely or insufficiently signs of backing out again. But this doesn’t appreciated–or often for no apparent reason at worry his sponsors. They know from personal all-he would brood over his “separateness” and experience that this is an old routine for Joe, so again futilely attempt to escape life via alcohol. they patiently steer him out of the car. This vicious cycle which traps the Joes of the world has defied the sincere salvaging 4 Once inside sanitarium, his face reflecting efforts of doctors, clergymen, the law. Threats his condition, Joe is felt to have passed first and entreaties of families and friends usually are stage of his redemption. No further effort is equally vain. Only psychiatric treatment, which is made to reason with him, to lecture, upbraid or expensive and lengthy, had any consistent reproach him. He needs rest, food, medication. measure of success till Alcoholics Anonymous began its group therapy. 5 Joe is still resistant as he is undressed for Now 10 years old, AA is an informal bed. Before AA members can help him constrorganization of some 15,000 ex-alcoholics. uctively, he must “hit bottom” by admitting that Recognizing themselves as sufferers from a

he is an alcoholic and smash the delusion that a decent life. lt’s too early to tell whether he’ll he can ever hope to “drink like a gentleman.” stay on it, but AA’s record of 75 per cent recovered is in his favor. 6 Joe remains in a fog on his second day at the sanitarium. Because, like most alcoholics, he At the AA clubhouse, formerly one of never ate while drinking and is undernourished, Minneapolis’ finest private homes, Joe learns he receives vitamin injections. His sponsor about the inner workings of AA. They exact no returns, leaves cigarets, talks with doctor. membership requirements, no fees, no dues; require no special religious or medical point of 7 His brain clears on the third day, and Joe view. They’re not missionaries, reformers or drinks pitchers of water. His sponsor calls again, prohibitionists, have no quarrel with alcohol as a quietly discusses his own case–and his beverage. The cornerstone of their therapy is recovery. Joe recognizes a kindred spirit, thinks: mutual encouragement in the battle for sobriety “lf this man got well, why not l?” which is the life-long concern of the alcoholic.

8 Physically restored after three days, Joe What are the symptoms of alcoholism? Test waves good-by to his nurse. ln fresh clothing yourself. . . provided by his sponsors, he looks–and feels–a The following test questions are taken new man. For the first time, he faces the future from the pamphlet Alcoholics Anonymous, with hope for recovery. published by one of the 300 AA groups now active in America. lf you answer YES, A sociable lunch after a meeting in an AA HABITUALLY, to any two of the questions, the member’s home shows Joe he can have a good chances are you are an alcoholic. time when sober–a vital first step. 1. Do you require a drink the next morning? 2. Do you prefer to drink alone? Joe gains insight into his own problems at 3. Do you lose time from work due to drinking? weekly AA meetings. As he hears others talk 4. Does drinking make you restless? openly about their cases, his guilty feeling fades. 5. Has your ambition decreased since you began drinking? Back at his old job in a coffee-roasting plant, 6. Do you drink to attain social ease? Joe is visited by AA friends who helped him get 7. Do you show marked dislikes and hatreds on his feet. Proudly, he shows them around. since you started drinking? 8. Do you drink for self-encouragement? With a new outlook on life, Joe has a good 9. Do you drink to relieve marked feelings of chance to stay sober. inadequacy? 10. Does drinking make you have trouble The cycle of AA therapy is complete when sleeping Joe returns to the sanitarium to visit another who 11. ls drinking affecting your peace of mind? needs help. He now has a rough grasp of AA 12. Do you show marked moodiness as a result principles, knows that helping other alcoholics is of drinking? a technique for preserving his own sobriety. For 13. ls drinking making your home life unhappy? the first time in 10 years he has found a path to 14.Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?

Source: Look, June 26, 1945

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