See, September 1949

MEDIGAL GARE FOR ALCOHOLICS

BROOKLYN HOSPITAL MAINTAINS SPECIAL DE.ALCOHOLIZATION WARD FOR PATIENTS

IN 1935, a hard-drinking young Wall Streeter able for the first time to think clearly and traveling through Akron, O., encountered a local recognize the gravity of his plight. medical soak with an inevitably dwindling A.A. volunteers are on hand 24 hours a practice. At dinner, and until late that night, the day. Former alcoholics who have forsworn two discussed their mutual weakness. Parting, alcohol, they try to win the newcomer’s they promised to meet again, arrived cold sober confidence, swap details of fabulous benders, at their respective lodgings. Thus was born prove by own experience that no soul is so lost Alcoholics Anonymous (“informal fellowship of that he cannot gain his self-respect. ex-problem drinkers”). Physically fit on the sixth day, the patient A.A. presently includes 80,000 is released. His A.A. friend calls for him at the professing members in 23 countries. Its success hospital and sees him home safely home. in helping liquor addicts recover from a debilitat- Thereafter, he is visited at home frequently, ing affliction has revised the once-prevalent introduced at a neighborhood A.A. group belief that dipsomania is a punishable vice. meeting. The samaritan is available for advice Medical, psychiatric and clerical and assistance if the urge to drink returns. authorities currently agree that alcoholics are SEE’s photo represent actual caseunfortunate victims of a devastating illness, and history. Professional models preserve should be ministered to as sick people, not alcoholic’s, family’s anonymity. condemned as moral transgressors. A.A.’s program borrows freely from Picture Captions established principles of medicine, psychiatry and religion. lt has persuaded hospitals, which 1- Alcoholic is escorted by A.A. sponsor to St. once adamantly refused bed-space to John’s Hospital’s de-alcoholization ward. alcoholics, to admit them as the do other Medical rehabilitation has resulted in sufferers from serious illnesses. permanent sobriety for 60 to 75 percent of Latest example of newly-developed those who undergo rigid treatment. cooperation between medical institutions and A.A. was the establishment of a 16-bed ward in 2- Blood count indicated whether patient is Brooklyn, New York’s St. John’s Episcopal suffering from diseases other than Hospital, where habitual inebriates are admitted, dipsomania. if sponsored by A.A. members, upon payment of a $75 fee. Patients undergo a five-day “drying 3- lnjection of Vitamin B complex restores out” process under the watchful eyes of appetite, loss of which is suffered by almost especially trained nurses, physicians and all addicts. psychiatrists. The treatment is not intended as a “cure.” No cure for alcoholism exists other then 4- Psychiatrist tests patient’s ability to walk total abstinence. straight line. lmprovement was noted on the But hospitalization is often an second day. indispensable first step on the road to lasting sobriety. When the befuddling fog is lifted from a hapless victim’s body, blood and brain, he is

5- “Shakes” begin to disappear during first two 9- Pre-discharge checkup shows gain of two days. Test for hand tremor enables patient to pounds weight, health good, except for observe progress despite denial of alcohol. alcohol- induced complications. Continued abstinence will cure latter. 6- Patient moves about freely on third day, play cards with fellow-lodger, as nurse pours fruit 10- A.A. representative happily grins as juice. Mental outlook has brightened reoriented husband is united with family on considerably. St. John’s Hospital steps. Future appears less grim to all concerned. 7- X-ray photographs reveal that excessive drinking has resulted in evidence of cirrhosis (Final photo shows an A.A. meeting with the a of liver, vitamin deficiency, gastritis, caption) After three teetotal months marked by inflammation of nerves. constant attendance at A.A. meetings, redeemed tippler feels confident enough to 8- Estranged wife agrees to resume married life describe to newcomers his erstwhile plight and when A.A. patron convinces her that subsequent salvation. He becomes an husband is on road to recovery, needs enthusiastic A.A. sponsor, finds that helping understanding, affectionate mate. others adjure alcohol acts as effective substitute for drinking.

Source: SEE September 1949