October 1957

ing effect. These and other signs out criticism, and without judgof our times place an added re- ment. We as physicians have the sponsibility upon physicians that means to initiate and to further they undertake without hesitation adequate treatment on a high and the care of those alcoholics who gratifying plane if we could but come to them for medical help. become objective and selfless in our There seem to be two significant response. Our greatest qualification barriers to adequate treatment of to serve under such circumstances . the acute or the chronic alcoholic. is the acceptance of the fact that the The greatest barrier is the unwil- alcoholic is a bona fide patient and lingness of the practitioner, or the merits the best that we have to offer. internist, or the psychiatrist to ac- Such publications as “The Grapecept such a patient freely, genuine- vine” (national AA magazine), the ly; and to provide service comrnen- splendid stabpublished (North surate with present medical facili- Carolina) magazine “Inventory” ties. The other significant barrier, and books like “Twelve Steps and almost of equal importance, is the Twelve Traditions,” “Alcoholics “We should be friendly to our friends-the physicians,” wrote Bill W . woeful unpreparedness of the phy- Anonymous” and a host of others i n the August Grapevine. That particular one of the “Friendly” series was sician to treat the patient. This is can contribute much to our underwritten several weeks before publication, or we feel sure Bill would have not to say that the average physi- standing of the alcoholic. They can enjoyed and perhaps incorporated into his text the accompanying object cian does not have an adequate serve also the growth of our own lesson “lifted” from the July issue of “The Eye Opener,” published by knowledge of the means of therapy. professional integrity, and bring re- AA members in the Chio State Penitentiary. His unpreparedness to deal with wards of a more adequate and satisan alcoholic patient lies in his own fying response to this major need A Physicicn Looks at Alcoholism ambivalent nature, the feeling that that has so long harassed the the alcoholic is a moral delinquent church, the state, and our profes- By Thomas T. Jones, M.D., Durham, N. C. rather than a sick man. Most of us sion. I t is the writer’s feeling that ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE of three as a treatable illness, and some from childhood were taught that the the alcoholic must be treated first facets. There is physical disease, practitioners of our day are begin- behavior problem of the “town of all with the heart-and only in mental or emotional aberration ning to accept it as such. Through drunk” arose from faulty inherit- minor degree with the head and its (some prefer to designate it as per- the admirable achievements of Al- ance, ingrown cussedness or shame- know-how. The patient will rememsonality defect or disorder), and coholics Anonymous we have seen ful lack of personal integrity. And ber the attitude of his doctor far most important of all, there is that alcoholics can and do achieve we find today it is easier to pass longer than his prescription, and alspiritual conflict or need. All three sobriety. And rarely, apparently, the buck, to refuse treatment out- though the alcoholic may have imelements of major distress must be through our own individual effort, right, rather than acknowledge our paired sensibilities, his sensitivity recognized, appreciated and under- is influence carried to the patient own inadequacy or imperfection is made keener by his suffering. stood by the physician if any prog- which helps him to regain some es- which stands in our way when it This can easily be measured by the ress is to be made in search for sence of control over his drinking. comes to making the effort to com- chip he so often has on his shoulder. solution. We see, too, the results of spiritual ply with the alcoholic’s need. He feels hostility towards a profes- The American Medical Associa- approach through personal evange- All the alcoholic asks is that he sional world that has so patently tion has acknowledged alcoholism lism that can often have far-reach- be treated as a human being with- denied its responsibility by inaction,

while giving lip-service to an ab- ment-and a bare modicum of sedastraction that the alcoholic is sick. tion, fluids and vitamins-can do The problem of today, then, is more in less time than a wellmore the conversion of the physi- equipped hospital with a hostile cians to their responsibility for staff, and with far better results. It treatment, than for need of more follows, then, that a receptive staff training in therapy. The general in the well-equipped hospital can practitioner with a world of pa- work real wonders of recuperation, tience, a kindly and receptive atti- with unrivalled opportunity to entude, constant availability, whole courage additional aid through local some understanding and encourage AA groups and the ministry. Ed. no&We had decided to reprint Dr. Jones’s article-in fact it was “in the works”-when our subscription department received the following letter from him. The third question Dr. Jones raises is one of such interest and importance to AAs, in the opinion of the staff, that we would welcome letters from any readers who have had experience with this phase of “the honesty part of the program.” It is a subject that is often debated and, as with all such questions, these are many sides to be considered. What do you think?

To The Grapevine: seeking work? Specifically, I should First-please accept the enclosed like this discussed not from his check for $7.00 (seven dollars) for viewpoint, but from the viewpoint two issues, not two years. I have of those of us who may be (and difficulty enough reading the copy usually are) asked to recommend. that comes before it leaves my wait- If we say nothing, our future as a ing room, and would appreciate a source of recommendation may be second one that I might carry home. damned; if we tell, the alcoholic Second-it has been a privilege may damn us-or, may say, ‘What to serve many alcoholic patients right had you to reveal a medical through the years. They have confidence?’ My policy has been to taught me much that has applied tell the alcoholic that I will not with equal effectiveness to problems recommend unless I can be honest that non-alcoholic patients have. all the way. Anxiety and escape–how terrify- Then, I can also commend his efingly applicable those words are to fort towards rehabilitation to the so many problems of personality prospective employer, who usually and the adaption difficulties that has more respect for the alcoholic numb so many. than he would if the difficulty came Third-one question I would like to light in some sudden, sodden and to see “debated”-or commented devastating way. upon, at any rate: Should the al- Thanks for everything, coholic tell his difficulty when Tom Jones