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Show Drinker Can Get Off Anywhere Along the Line It often is said that a problem prob-lem drinker on his way the chronic alcoholism is in the same position as a man on a bus. He need not go all the 'way to the end of the line-death line-death or a mental institution. He may get off and achieve recovery at any sub station, it depends on at which point he recognizes the symptoms in himself and accepts them realistically. In order to help actual suf-'fercs suf-'fercs of this killer disease er families, friends or employers employ-ers of the alcoholic. The Times-Inderiendent is publishing publish-ing a series of articles, of which this is the fourth. Once tell-tale signs are heeded, aid and direction can be obtained at the ALCOHOLISH REHAB. CENTER, PRICE. (Telephone (Tele-phone 253-8744 for information) informa-tion) Earlier articles have explored ex-plored symptoms of the pre-alcoholism pre-alcoholism stage. If permitted permit-ted to continue unimpeded, this kind of behavior develops devel-ops into acute alcoholism. This phase is marked by a worsening of previous symp-tons symp-tons and the introduction of new and more threatening signs in behavior patterns. Conflicting emotions within the heavy drinker creates confusion and unreasonableness, unreasonable-ness, which whiplashes violently vio-lently into even more confusion con-fusion and painful frustration. This phase sets the stage for eventual chronic alcoholism by building severe physical and mental complication in the handling of everyday problems. . One new major change ui behavior beginning with the acute stage is the loss of control co-ntrol in the person's drinking Once he takes that first drink he cannot stop until he is drunk. 2 or 2 Dozen? The person who has not accepted this as an irrefutable fact, may chooso to kill lf mintifes before be-fore an appointment by entering en-tering a Imr for a drink. Certainly Cer-tainly he is positive, no mure than two. Hours later, he staggers out with perhaps two dozen under his bell. He had not intended to get potted. He had not expected to want mure than the predetermined pre-determined couple. Once his imbibing begins, everything other than ordering refills becomes be-comes more and more unimportant. unim-portant. Too late, he agrees with the adage: One Is loo many, a thousand not enough. The tendency is always get "bombed" goes on with shocking surily even when the problem drinker tries to hold to a couple at a party, a business luncheon or at home all alone. A state of oblivion ob-livion invariably beckons and there is nothing he can do t'j hold back. Fights Belief When the familiar "morning after" comes, he sincerely is concerned con-cerned about whether or not he has lost will power. But he flares angrily at friends who attempt to suggest as much. Why does he keep trying for controlled drinking when he continues to fail? Actually he honestly does not believe (and will fight against believing) be-lieving) that he has reached a point in the abuse of alcohol al-cohol where he never will again enjoy "social drinking. At this point ,practically every alcoholic behaves alike. Concern over loss of will power pow-er sends him on a long, futile, frustrating and usually painful pain-ful campaign to recaptura that power of control so that he can prove to the rest of mankind that he can drink socially. Addiction Complete This frantic search turns Into an obsession that cannot fail to hasten deterioration. Kach time he attempts those "two drinks only" he is positive this will be the time when, by exercising control, he jean break through to normalcy. From this point on, his addiction ad-diction is complete. No longer long-er has he any chance of controlling con-trolling his drinking. When the problem drufker begins to excuse his excessive exces-sive consumption and frequent fre-quent and repeated drinks by saying he drinks "because" "be-cause" it is safe to conclude con-clude he is within the acute stages of the disease of alcoholism. al-coholism. Rationalization is common to all alcoholics. Overcome by guilt Tha words of the drinker-in-trouble are predictable. "It's be cause. . ." "If only people would let me alone". UrJiir altitude's and actions of oih-crs oih-crs drive him to binges, he says. " I could control my drinking perfectly if . . ." "Its not my fault. . ." Such excuses rarely accompany ac-company the descent into intoxication in-toxication but spring forth when the overwhelming sens? of guilt comes with the hangover. hang-over. Why does' be need to look for reasons whtn the glow is upon him? Later, he ha3 9 need t explain the whys to family and employers. The more he passes the buck, the more he is positive ' that he merils special privileges so Jiiat he can continue to "drink at" all those injustices. His own unreasonable attitude at-titude leads to the familiar pattern of extravagant behavior, be-havior, which will be laKeii up in the next article. - |