November 1949

“Often I work with an alcoholic began to happen. His work- slipped who has been previously attended by and he wasn’t getting on well with another physician. I steer the man the men in his department. How A koholii Anonymow into A.A. but I do not inform the other doctor–nor in many cases do- It soon became evident that his problem was alcohol. He was first the patient. This is one of the rea- demoted and then finally fired. The sons why industry and the medical doctor had, in the meantime, intro- G m Help Doctors and Indwtry profession knows little of A.A. and its workings.” d u d Bert to A.A. but he couldn’t seem to make the grade. However Dr. Norris first heard of A.A. in when he was fired there was a string 1943. He has been chairman of the attached to it. They kept his name on Rochester Committa for Education the books of the medical department. on Alcoholism since it began in 1945 Bert came to the doctor for treat- From New York, N. Y. ‘ T H E R E is one aimple way in and he is a member of the Committee ment several times. He was then which A.A.s can help’the medi- on Problems of Alcohol of the Medi- working in a canning factory. After 66 I NDUSTRY needs A.A.’s help,” Dr. John L. Norris, medical director of Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N. Y., recently told cal profession. After you have been in A.A. for a while and are on the road to recovery, go back to that cal Society of the County of Munroe and the Special Committee on Problems of Alcohol of the Medical Soseveral months he told the doctor that he was attending A.A. meetings was working hard, was dry and doctor who took care of you through ciety of the State of New York. He wanted to come back to work at members of Alcoholics Anonymous Kodak. A few months more passed those binges-the doctor who quieted has also been a member of the Execuand their friends. and Bert went back to work. your jumping nerves with barbitu- tive Committee of the Medical So- “We need to know just how sensi- ciety of the County of Munroe for The doctor and Bert became intive A.A.’s are,” Dr. Norris said, “we rates and gave you no hope of recovery. Tell him about your progress seven years. terested in the Cornmitt- for Eduneed their help on the individual on Alcoholism, both have level. in A.A.-what it has meant to you ” HERE is no single public unit,” cation been active since its beginning in “Bill W. has often spoken of the and how you feel about it. Show him what has happened to you-give him TDr. Norris said, “that can come Rochester. three legged stool-the medical pro- within a mile of A.A. fession is the weak leg of the stool. positive proof! “At first we didn’t think it would OW we introduce men in need There is much community education “Fifteen thousand alcoholic cases work in industry. But this is how it to be done, much study, research edu- went through Bellevue last year. So has worked for us at Kodak.” fully,” said Dr. Norris. “If I have cation and education of the medical far as is known about 200 came into Dr. Norris told of how he had a patient in my office who sincerely profession. A.A. What happened to the reat? given men pamphlets and told them wants help, I call in Bert or another something of A.A. He was not very A.A. in the plant. Or perhaps one successful in the beginning. After a of the worker’s family contacts the bad start Bert came to him. Committee on Education of Alcohol- Bert had come to Kodak just out ism. They in turn call us. We get of high school. An intelligent boy- to work. Sometimes, too, our visiting he was assigned to the then new color nurses discover that it is continuous department. Bert went along fine for hangovers that are causing a certain several years until he reached a posi- man to be absent. They report it to tion of responsibility. Then things me. I call that man to my officefor

a routine check up. It is not unusual in reaching our men with an alee for a man to be called in for a check- holic problem before it is too late. up. The alcoholic story eventually A.A. can help us.” comes out. Dr. Norris spoke at the second an- 66 We are successful in many cases. nual dinner of the A.A. Groups of But there are those we don’t reach New Jersey, held recently in Newark, until it is too late. There is Joe, for N.J., and sponsored by the Interinstance. Joe didn’t need A.A. We group Committee. buried Joe in August. We need help