Show Psychology Students Hear A bout 4 Alcoholism Recovery Program by Pam Johnson J Virginia Mead director of The Haven an Alcoholism Recovery Program l addressed psychology students last week eek She was accompanied by Penny Cott her per associate director The Haven houses a program for alcohol abusers who a aare are fighting to stay sober According to Mead 1 i in 10 males will be alcoholics and 1 in 13 females She 1 estimates th there re are 9 million alcoholics in the country with another 6 million 1 7 borderline cases Alcohol and drugs make you do things you dont don't want to do says Mead There are two ways of looking at alcoholism she continues Either 1 you have problems so you drink drink too much or you drink too muc much so you have I J. problems Both ways the result is the same an alcoholic with problems What are the characteristics of an alcoholic Mead sums it up in four common 3 symptoms It results in dependency on 01 the drug it alters n normal functioning it y causes problems in major life areas or it is used to be able to cope with something o Many times alcohol is used as self medication to help anxiety or depression Mead says I She lists the stages of an alcoholism as as an early stage that begins to s show ow tolerance and experiences black outs or amnesia a middle stage of resentfulness when the alcoholic is confronted with his her drinking patterns starts drinking alone and uses any situation as an excuse for a drink The third stage alcoholic shows malnutrition and a significant reduction in nerve cells Their cardiovascular rhythms are abnormal there is a toxic effect on bone marrow and vital organs and the immunization mechanisms of the body are att attacked c ed Though there are many theories as to the underlying cause of alcoholism The Haven emphasizes emotional treatment and support for the people there Mead points out All have feelings difficult to deal with says Penny Cott associate director Loss y of lov loved d one fear rejection anxiety and ang frustration are among them When people experience these feelings they are sometimes turned into anger because anger is easier to deal with says Cott Anger can be expressed sed in two ways turning it inside resulting in depression or acting it o out t resulting in changes hanges overeating drinking compulsive gambling etc Those who feel angry and act out their a anger ger continues Cott Cot have feelings of guilt which causes them even more anger It continues in a circle and they have r an inability to cope with feelings Through psychological evaluation and treatment group therapy recreational i E and and cultural activities the staff at t urr The e Ha Haven en hel helps to understand each person and nd offer alternative ways of dealing with their emotions I. I |