MEDICAL CARE FOR ALCOHOLICS

BROOKLYN HOSPITAL MAINTAINS SPECIAL DE-ALCOHOLIZATION WARD FOR PATIENTS

IN 1935, a hard-drinking young Wall Streeter alcohol, they try to win the newcomer’s traveling through Akron, O., encountered a local confidence, swap details of fabulous benders, medical soak with an inevitably dwindling prove by own experience that no soul is so lost practice. At dinner, and until late that night, the that he cannot gain his self-respect. two discussed their mutual weakness. Parting, Physically fit on the sixth day, the patient they promised to meet again, arrived cold sober is released. His A.A. friend calls for him at the at their respective lodgings. Thus was born hospital and sees him home safely home. Alcoholics Anonymous (“informal fellowship of Thereafter, he is visited at home frequently, ex-problem drinkers”). introduced at a neighborhood A.A. group A.A. presently includes 80,000 meeting. The samaritan is available for advice professing members in 23 countries. Its success and assistance if the urge to drink returns. in helping liquor addicts recover from a debilitat- SEE’s photo represent actual caseing affliction has revised the once-prevalent history. Professional models preserve belief that dipsomania is a punishable vice. alcoholic’s, family’s anonymity. Medical, psychiatric and clerical authorities currently agree that alcoholics are Picture Captions unfortunate victims of a devastating illness, and should be ministered to as sick people, not 1- Alcoholic is escorted by A.A. sponsor to St. condemned as moral transgressors. John’s Hospital’s de-alcoholization ward. A.A.’s program borrows freely from Medical rehabilitation has resulted in established principles of medicine, psychiatry permanent sobriety for 60 to 75 percent of and religion. It has persuaded hospitals, which those who undergo rigid treatment. once adamantly refused bed-space to alcoholics, to admit them as the do other 2- Blood count indicated whether patient is sufferers from serious illnesses. suffering from diseases other than Latest example of newly-developed dipsomania. cooperation between medical institutions and A.A. was the establishment of a 16-bed ward in 3- Injection of Vitamin B complex restores Brooklyn, New York’s St. John’s Episcopal appetite, loss of which is suffered by almost Hospital, where habitual inebriates are admitted, all addicts. if sponsored by A.A. members, upon payment of a $75 fee. Patients undergo a five-day “drying 4- Psychiatrist tests patient’s ability to walk out” process under the watchful eyes of straight line. Improvement was noted on the especially trained nurses, physicians and second day. psychiatrists. The treatment is not intended as a “cure.” No cure for alcoholism exists other then 5- “Shakes” begin to disappear during first two total abstinence. days. Test for hand tremor enables patient to But hospitalization is often an observe progress despite denial of alcohol. indispensable first step on the road to lasting sobriety. When the befuddling fog is lifted from a 6- Patient moves about freely on third day, play hapless victim’s body, blood and brain, he is cards with fellow-lodger, as nurse pours fruit able for the first time to think clearly and juice. Mental outlook has brightened recognize the gravity of his plight. considerably. A.A. volunteers are on hand 24 hours a day. Former alcoholics who have forsworn

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7- X-ray photographs reveal that excessive 10- A.A. representative happily grins as drinking has resulted in evidence of cirrhosis reoriented husband is united with family on of liver, a vitamin deficiency, gastritis, St. John’s Hospital steps. Future appears inflammation of nerves. less grim to all concerned.

8- Estranged wife agrees to resume married life (Final photo shows an A.A. meeting with the when A.A. patron convinces her that caption) After three teetotal months marked by husband is on road to recovery, needs constant attendance at A.A. meetings, understanding, affectionate mate. redeemed tippler feels confident enough to describe to newcomers his erstwhile plight and 9- Pre-discharge checkup shows gain of two subsequent salvation. He becomes an pounds weight, health good, except for enthusiastic A.A. sponsor, finds that helping alcohol- induced complications. Continued others adjure alcohol acts as effective substitute abstinence will cure latter. for own drinking.

Source: SEE, September 1949

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