From: cblanc@pomona.claremont.edu (Bucko Gizm)
Subject: <azagthoth>
Organization: Dead Animal Pickup
Date: 7 Jan 93 19:57:56 PST


        The distinction between "chronic drinker" and "alcoholic" seems
to be the key issue.  I would define a chronic drinker as one who drinks
a lot for emotional reasons, where as an alcoholic drinks as a matter of
sustenance.  At this point the issue should be crystal clear:  chronic
drinkers require no treatment beyond the psychological, for which
administering MDMA, LSD, or even just floral arrangements could be an
aid.  Alcoholics, on the other hand, either require some kind of blocker
treatment (that is, to keep them from gaining anything from alcohol) or
recognition of their disease followed by cold turkey quits.  How do we
know it is a disease?  Despite the elaboration posted in my last
message, people are still doubting this, so I elaborate further:  ever
hear about how most Native Amerikans/Indian reservations are plagued by
alcohol problems, _years_ after the traders used rum for the purpose of
cheating said individuals?  There seems to be proof there, as in the
street speaks of many alcoholics.  I'm sorry if this doesn't concur with
your "scientific" studies, but maybe hit the street -- hit the bars --
and do some realtime interviewing and you'll have the experience.
        As for the man who posted something like:  "what grime-covered
wormhole did this pompous ass crawl out of?" -- I'm sorry if you
consider my posting style pompous, but considering the
hostile/belligerent reaction I got from fearful drug users off of this
net, I think it was warranted.  As for your message, I think you'll see
the humor in your hypocrisy if you'll let yourself.  Most of the
response I've gotten here has been denial, with so-called studies
alluded to.  I think the main problem is crossing of the definitions
covering chronic drinking & alcoholism -- alcoholism, from all that i've
seen that's credible, is an addiction; chronic drinking is not.
        Hope that's all cleared up, but with more attitude coming from
you guys than actual knowledge (not that I am blameless for holding a
less-than-useful thread) there's no point in continuing this.  If you
don't understand, get some real knowledge.  If you're unwilling to,
continue to hide behind your flawed studies and further throw the system
away from useful, coherent treatment for alcoholics.  If you think I'm
attempting to make drugs an evil here, it's obvious that I'm not; I
believe in many good uses for currently illegal drugs, but "curing"
alcoholics is not one of them.
        Any questions unanswered in this message are available in my
last large message, which I will repost at will.

gerbil@darkside.com
-- 
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!		 Bucko Gizm/Amerikan Nihilist Underground Society	      !
i		   SDI, Inc./Houston Area Quorum for Recidivism               i
i		a member of the ouphiliac order Smegma Tais		      !
!		              gerbil@darkside.com                             i
i   'this earth is a grave, round a green/a tomb of sorrow which i've seen'   !
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