November 1970

. , T o the A A Grapevine: Your attention is directed to the remarkable symposium on Alcohol and Pills appearing in your May issue o f the A A Grapevine. O f course I was delighted to find tnp open letter to the editor o f American Medical News included. Y o u were correct in reporting this author to be a non-AA doctor. There are, Doctor’s however, extenuating circumstances requiring clarification. 1 have had the privilege and pleasure o f a close association with your ubiquitous organization for the past two decades. In my estimation, only two kinds of people inhabit this planet; alcoholics and potential alcoholics. By the grace of God, I just happen to fall into the second category. I With this intensive exposure to A A , plus a medical education, I may have I acquired a little more insight into the problem than is usually found in the nonalcoholic comrnunitv. Such insidits have been condensed into twelve short paragraphs fully aware that this number has itnportant connotations to your r’ 7 I -1 OBSERVATIONS membership. They are respectfully submitted to you, herewith, for further appraisd. by William Bisher, M D Most sincerely, William Bisher. M D

1. There is one diagnostic symptom that absolutely differentiates 7. Imbibing large quantities of alcoholic intoxicants is a direct inalcoholics from social drinkers. It is an all-pervasive, pathological sult to the stomach, liver, and nervous system. In addition, it fear of being unable to obtain another drink when needed – which eventually splits the personality right down the middle. is always sooner than immediately. 8. In severe alcoholic intoxication, it is best to leave the initial 2. In rare instances, alcoholics have acquired sobriety without phase of detoxification to the pros. Anemia, malnutrition, hyper- AA. It is extremely doubtful that any of them have also attained glycemia, and electrolyte imbalance can hardly be corrected by serenity. well-meaning amateurs. 3. Are the toxic effects of the inorganic chemical compound 9. Undoubtedly, without the help of AA alcoholism would pres- C,H,OH direct, due to acetaldehyde (a product of its metabo- ently rank as the leading cause of death, instead of running in third lism), or indirect, due to malnutrition and avitaminosis? To an place, following heart disease and cancer. alcoholic, that question is purely academic. He couldn’t care less. 10. It does seem ridiculous to exclude cyclamates from food be- 4. To nonalcoholics, it will always be a deep mystery how the cause of their carcinogenic effect on mice and to permit alcohol in success of AA can be based on a paradox: anonymity and open beverages although it has long been recognized as a toxic protoconfession. plasmic poison in the human body. 5. Thousands of distinguished and productive AAs furnish living 11. Use of the underlying mechanics of AA in the management procf that the deleterious effect of alcohol on the brain is com- of other compulsive conditions should be graciously accepted by pletely reversible. AA as the sincerest form of flattery. with best wishes for success 6. The primary mission of Alcoholics Anonymous is to promote to all concerned. sobriety. If its program is practiced as prescribed, it also has the 12. The bottom has been reached when a bombed individual repotential to transform congenital SOB’S into very charming people cites five magic words to a cold-sober member of the Fellowship: indeed. “I want to stop drinking!”