February 1974

alcoholics, and some have no under- sobriety and are happy. This is destanding of the illness. We may not nied the unfortunate initiate if the judge all by the few. Just as we are older, successful members lose intertrying to teach all physicians that est in coming to meetings. alcoholics are sick people, there For those members, a newer and should be an attempt made to teach more stimulating activity might be Alcoholism all AA members that medicine and psychiatry also can help people suffound, to benefit the less fortunate ones. Visiting teams might be formfering from the illness. ed, made I I ~of people who have and Alcoholics Anonymous AA has a far greater responsibil- attained, not just sobriety, but also ity than is generally recognized, even insight, knowledge of human motiby Marvin A. Block, MD by many of its members; but this is vations, and a greater understanding an’ obligation which, if carried out, of the many other factors involved will ‘greatly enhance the stature of in the problem of alcoholism. This A medical doctor and friend o f AA the Fellowship and benefit its mem- work would involve them in a bers immeasurably, as well. Anyone broader program than just maintaintells us what we do well and what we could do better who has studied the Twelve Steps ing their own sobriety. The publiccarefully knows that, in order to live health approach – emphasizing the program, one must do a great emotional, physiological, and psychological aspects of alcoholism – F OR M A N Y years, individual physicians have considered alcoholism a disease and tried to convince can and does modify the actual physiology of the body. But what about those without deal more than maintain abstinence. As I circulate among recovered alcoholics, I find a great many who might supply the added incentive to learn even more about the problem I their colleagues and the public that faith? Does this mean that AA has have grown away from the Fellow- which they have resolved for them- , alcoholics require treatment rather no place in their lives? Not at all. ship. Many say they no longer find selves, but which plagues so many than punishment. It was AA that It docs mean that AA alone may interest in meetings. About those others. proved alcoholics could recover. And not be enough. Cnnperation among who have attained some degree of They might be stimulated to do when the success of AA had been all agencies interested in treating al- emotional maturity and spiritual more as citizens in correcting the demonstrated, a great deal more coholism is important. Each has its growth and are happy, one should problem in a general way, rather interest was generated on the part of place, but each must recognize that not complain, I suppose. But what than working only with individuals the medical profession. A great step it may not have all the answers. A a terrible loss their absence is for the who have sought out AA. The igwas taken toward a possible break- combination of all facilities available newcomer, the beginner in AA! How norance of alcoholism that still prethrough when, in 1956, the Ameri- offers the best approach. And with much these successful people could vails is difficult to understand, but it can Medical Association officially this, most AAs agree. contribute to the beginner who is so exists, and knowledgeable members recognized alcoholism as an illness. There is, however, a vocal minor- discouraged and depressed, so re- of AA can do much to dispel it. AA’s approach to the illness is ity in AA that claims AA alone can sentful of his enforced abstinence, For the alcohol-dependent, escape spiritual, and I know from experi- help the alcoholic. T o the physician so dependent upon others, or so into unreality is what he seeks. This ence that the spiritual attitude of a who has spent years studying and ashamed, all too often, of his inad- is the so-called comfort one gets from patient is of extreme importance in treating successfully illnesses from equacy and imagined weakness! One alcohol – make-believe, unreality. any illness. When I have a patient which he has not suffered, this cliche of the greatest incentives for contin- Once the alcoholic understands the without faith, I know his chances seems preposterous. uing abstinence is the presence at desirability of accepting reality, to for recovery are diminished. Faith Some physicians refuse to treat meetings of those who have achieved the best of his ability and within the

limits which we all have, he has suffering from alcoholism must be taken a step toward maturity. The ready for treatment is no longer difference between the mentally valid. He must be induced to accept healthy person and the unhealthy treatment long before he is ready to one is the ability to face the realities ask for it. This necessitates a treof life. Some can take more than mendous educational program for others. To aspire to heights of ac- the entire population, alerting them complishment greater than one has to the dangers of alcohol and to the a capacity for achieving means con- very earliest signs of dependence tinual frustration. And when the indi- upon the drug, whether psychologividual cannot take these frustrations cal or physiological. Since, in most and will not accept the fact that he cases, the psychological effects prehas limitations, he is prone to blame cede the physiological, these signs others and to avoid self-honesty by mast be readily recognized. It is to escape through alcohol addiction. this end that we must devote time Normal escapes -such as reading, and effort, so that the interest of the movies, television, sports, hobbies- medical profession and AA together are abandoned once alcohol takes will be to help the recovery of the over. sufferers. To bring to the attention Many old concepts in regard to of those in the early stages the nealcohol and alcoholism must be re- cessity for treatment is the end to vised. The idea that the individual which we must all devote our efforts.