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Alcoholism BY }fAXINE DAI{IS New med,ical discoaeries sussest that alcoholism- onae n

moral stigrna, is actually, in part, a physical d,isord,er; and,

they hold out hope that it can be cured, by physical rleans

uthorities say that alcoholism ranks fourth in the might be valid, he developed a mixture containing large list of the most dangerous human ailments, preceded amounts of the fifteen most important vitamins. He preonly by heart trouble, cancer, and tuberculosis. scribed this, together with a balanced diet containing It probably afiects between four and five million people a good proportion of high-quality protein foods, for a and involves a money loss of about a billion dollars. Be- number of his alcoholic patients. Some o{ Dr. Williams’ cause it develops over a ten- to fifteen-year period, it patients have been cured; a much larger number of his tends to take its greatest toll among men and women who patients have been considerably improved in general, are between the ages of thirty and fi{ty. though not cured, A number of important institutions are Alcoholism has been comprehensively defined by Dr. conducting research in this direction. Harold W. Lovell, ir Hope and Help t’or the Alcoholic, published by Doubleday & Company, as “a condition EI\DOCRINE GLAITDS ENTEN PICTURE characterized by uncontrolled compulsive drinking. The The second approach to the physical causes of alcoholkey to this definition is the word compulsive. An alcoholic ism is based on the premise that there is some relationship is impelled to drink”against his will or judgment, even if between alcoholism and unsatis{actory Iunctioning o{ the will and judgment are functioning. Furthermore the will endocrine glands. This avenue has been explored by Dr. is powerless to stop the drinking. So {ar as alcoholism James J. Smith, of Bellevue Hospital in New York City; is concerned, the victim is completely without will power, Dr. Harold W. Lovell, of New York Medical College; and not weak-willed or wrong-willed.” Dr. John W. Tintera, chief of the endocrine clinic of St. Johns Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, New York. These IT,S PEYSICAL AS WELL AS MENTAL doctors have found in alcoholic patients evidence of in- Until quite recently, alcoholism was regarded as a symp- adequate secretion by the adrenal glands, two little organs tom o{ an emotional disorder that was mainly a problem just above the kidneys, and by the adrenal cortex, the for the psychiatrist. This was a long stride forward {rom covering of these glands. The adrenal cortex produces the not-too-distant past when alcoholism was quite simply hormones that play an important part in metabolism and a -disgrace. But today medical science is making new have a bearing on personality. When the adrenal cortex discoveries. It has evidence {or believing that alcoholism is pot doing its job efficiently, a person’s metabolism is is a physical as well as an emotional disorder, a prime so inadequate that the amount of blood sugar becomes example of a psychosomatic ailment in which a definite low, and his emotional structure becomes so afiected that body disturbance is intertwined with the fears, anxieties, fears and anxieties seem either to develop or to be inand frustrations that constitute neuroses. tensified. When this happens, an alcoholic drink raises This line of thinking holds new hope for alcoholics, for the amount oI blood .o!a., the sufierer feels better physical ailments may be cured by drugs or other medical “rd sugar falls to an even for a litt1e while. Then his blood methods. Research scientists do not yet have the final lower level than it was at originally, the sufferer {eels answers. But they have found some of the causes of the worse than ever, and he needs another drink. Thus, these disorder and have been able to treat them efiectively; doctors conclude, the pattern of compulsive drinking is and they have demonstrated the importance of prompt established. treatment, before years of steadily increasing drinking seriously damage vital organs and impair intellect, wHICq IS CAUSE, WHICE IS ETFECT? memory, and emotions. This glandular deficiency may cause alcoholism, just Thus far there are two approaches to the physical as- as a thyroid deficiency is often one evident cause o{ obesity pects of alcoholism. One is based on the theory that the and a number of other disturbances. Conversely, the craving for alcohol comes fro.m an abnormality in metabo- glandular deficiency may develop as the result of drinklism, that mysterious but extremely important process by ing, for alcohol can impair the ability o{ the adrenal I t which one substance is changed into another within the cortex to produce its hormones, Emotional problems too fr body. The theory was developed by Dr. Roger J. Williams, may hinder the action o{ these glands. If unconscious g discoyerer of several important vitamins and director oI tensions or frustrations are hampering the work of these the University oI Texas Biochemical Institute. Dr. Wil- glands, excessive use of a narcotic such as alcohol may liams believes that some people need certain vitamins in then make the situation worse. Whatever the primary an amount that exceeds what they can obtain from even cause, the end result is the disorder. the best diets, and that lack of these vitamins may lead Drs. Smith, Lovell, and Tintera xeport grest success to a number of disturbances, including alcoholism. After in treating their patients with doses of adrenal cortical laboratory experiments proved to him that this theory extract (ACE). It regulates an (Continued, on pase 138) 28

/ -LrtJr,,I-ltlrllD”tll (Conti,nued, from page 28) adrenal deficiency, just as thyroid extract humps they need to be helped over, but corrects inact.ivity of that gland. The they vary in the amount of assistance doctors regard it not as a cure, but only they require. Some patients sufier such as an important part of treatment that serious maladjustments that only thorincludes other measures. It raises the ough and prolonged treatments efiect blood sugar to its normal level and cures; others recover with considerably consequently gives the patient a sense less attention. Just a few consultations of well-being; this helps the patient a with a psychiatrist may help a convalesgreat deal, for he will probably be able cent to clarify and straighten out his to keep away from liquor while he re- problems. Recently group psychothergains general health and goes on with a apy, irl which a small number of people comprehensive program to recover com- meet together with a psychiatrist, has pletely from alcoholism. Use of adrenal proved surprisingly beneficial. And there cortical extract has another salutary are many men who need only the help efiect. \trith his blood sugar raised, the that comes from talking with a family patient becomes relaxed and able to physician, a clergyman, or a wise and sleep. Therefore he is not subject to the understanding friend. Most doctors rectendency, common in alcoholics under- ommend membership in Alcoholics Anongoing a cure, to substitute habit-forming ymous, a world-wide organization of sedatives for liquor. cured drinkers, as a sustaining moral It is impossible to overstate the neces- support. sity for helping to keep the alcoholic As with every other ailment, the from drinking while medical and other sooner the alcoholic recognizes his conrehabilitative measures are being taken. dition and takes steps to hait its prog- Psychiatry, still essential, has often ress, the better for him and everyo]re failed to do this because the patient was associated with him. A common situation not well enough to give the specialist is described by Dr. Seldon D. Baccn, the co-operation imperative for success, director of Yale University’s inportant Consequently the doctor may employ a Center of Alcohol Studies. “There are drug trade-marked Antabuse as a crutch many half-men in industry today,” he on which the alcoholic can lean if he states, “who are not drunk on the job is making a sincere efiort to free himself and who are not really hung over from from his affiiction. This drug creates an a drunk ofi the job. But they drink too aversion for liquor. If the patient takes much, and they are only half present it before he pours that dangerous first some days.” drink, he reacts to even a small amount Industry, which has a stake in the of alcohol with nausea, palpitation, per- skills of. its personnel, is beginning to spiration, and labored breathing. Some recognize this situation. The Consoliphysicians have had spectacular succes- dated Edison Company o{ New York, ses with Antabuse; others feel it has for example, has instituted a medical serious drawbacks. program that endeavors to make its em- Once the patient stops drinking and ployes aware of the problem at an early recovers his health, he is able to get the stage and to help them take steps to halt maximum results from psychiatric care. the condition. Almost all alcoholics have emotional Trn ENo