A positive attitude coupled with appropriate educational and vocational programs can help those with mental retardation to adjust and succeed. To achieve such goals, services must be provided and self-help groups, of both families and individuals, should be fostered. Empowering parents could accelerate the formulation of healthy policies, programs and services. Alcohol dependence is a mental disorder recognizable by symptoms which can include a strong and persistent desire to drink despite harmful consequences, inability to control drinking, a higher priority given to alcohol consumption than to other activities and obligations, tolerance to alcohol, and a physical withdrawal reaction when alcohol use is abruptly discontinued. For example, in Chile, the mortality rate related to alcohol induced liver disease is 20.8 per 100,000 of the population.
Alcohol dependence is prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Treatment of alcohol dependence and withdrawal can be effectively carried out in community settings. Voluntary mutual help organizations also play a large role in supporting recovery from alcohol dependence. However, measures aimed only at treating those who are dependent are not enough, effective alcohol control policies are also needed. This statement was written in 1959. Remarkably, the statement is still largely reflected in public perceptions of mental health today.