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Show Business and Social Circles Have At Least One Problem Drinker Almost every business or social circle has at least one actual or potential alcoholic someone who doesn't often get the help he needs because his family, friends and co-workers don't know the facts about alcoholism. An estimated 70 million of our Americans drink; one out of 14 is destined to become an alcoholic. alco-holic. The figures don't tell the story. In that 70 million there are various vari-ous kinds of drinkers the "sometime drinker" who may take only a few nips a year; the "moderate drinker," who drinks at parties and other occasions but never takes more than one or two; the "social drinker," who rarely gets drunk but may frequently fre-quently get "tight" or "high," inf ormtaion about alcoholism, let him take the initiative. The best time to talk to him is when he is "hung over," not when he is drunk. Use your knowledge to make him feel that some one understands under-stands him. Remain objective. If possible, try to introduce him to a recovered alcoholic. If you are an employer, don't wait until the only thing left to do is warn the alcoholic that he will lose his job "if it ever happens hap-pens again." Your attitude should not differ from your attitude to other employee illnesses. In big companies the problem drinker should be sent to the medical department, after you have had a frank talk with the doctors there so that the alcoholic cannot the "heavy drinker"; and finally the alcoholic. One thing separates the alcoholic alco-holic from the other types: once he starts he can't stop. What are the early signs that a person is headed to alcoholism? According to Mrs. Marty Mann executive director of National Council on Alcoholism, the incipient in-cipient alcoholic may behave in any of these ways: He may break promises to himself about his drinking; alibi or lie to himself about drinking; gulp drinks as others drink slowly; drink to get up "dutch courage" before his appointment or party; feel the necessity to have drinks at certain cer-tain times; insist on an allotted time for drinking regardless of the convenience of others; drink for "that tired feeling"; drink for "shattered nerves"; drink to forget troubles and to alleviate depression; and to celebrate even quite simple and everyday occurrences. oc-currences. These warning signs may be implemented danger signals not necessarily connected with his drinking periods, or recurrent periods of tension which show themselves as extreme irritability, irritabil-ity, flashes of temper, and a general gen-eral attitude of resentment from the world. But she adds these emotional symptoms may also be found in heavy drinkers and non-drinkers non-drinkers as well. The true test of alcoholism lies in a study of minimize or explain away 111a condition. In smaller businesses with no medical department the employee's doctor should also be informed. There are today a number of good medical treatments for the sobering of an alcoholic, and building up his physical condition condi-tion in a very short period of time usually five days. These are by no means "cures," but they have great value in preparing pre-paring the alcoholic mentally and physically to undertake any further treatment or to understand under-stand and adopt some program of recovery. Psychiatric treatment often can decide in early cases if the person suffers from true mental disorder or alcoholism. In most cases, you are going to suspect alcoholism long before be-fore you can be sure that it does exist. If you think that a friend, member of the family or a coworker co-worker is suffering from this disease, you can be helpful by first biding your time patiently. Watch his or her drinking behavior be-havior and listen sympathetically you can learn much whcih can alert a knowledgeable person as to whether or not alcoholism, or potential alcoholism really exists. Then if you believe that your suspicions have been confirmed, contact a person or organization that can give professional help and advice. drinking behavior, she affirms. If you suspect that a friend or associate is on the road to alcoholism, alco-holism, the best time to help him is during these early stages, for alcolholism is a, one way street the victim gets progressively worse unless he is treated. Why can't he help himself? As medical authorities now realize, alcoholism is a disease, not a moral weakness, and the sole remedy for this progressive illness ill-ness is an end to the patient's drinking. Alcoholics can return to health provided they never take another drop. If you suspect that a person is headed toward alcoholism, what can you do to help? Learn all you can about alcoholism. alco-holism. Unbiased information is available at Alcoholism Information Informa-tion Centers of the affiliates of the National Council in 67 cities in the country. Consultation is free and private. No stigma is attached. Another major local source of help is the Alcoholics Anonymous, with over 4.500 groups in the U.S. and Canada. Avoid the "home treatment." Never harp on the drinker's condition; con-dition; it is better not to bring it up unless he does. Never, never preach or lecture. Talk to someone about the situation, a doctor, minister or social worker. Face the problem openly; prepare for constructive action. Don't threaten a problem drinker. If he shows interest in |