Evening star., 1940-06-15
BY ROBERT A. ERWIN.

When confirmed heavy drinker
goes on a binge, ultimately he
| causes more trouble to his doctor
than any one else but himself and
his own family. The medical pro-
fessionl long has recognized alco-
holiSm as a disease and has been
unrelenting in efforts to help con-
quer it.
Some doctors were skeptical and
some greatly interested when Alco-
holics Anonymous came into exist
ence. Former drunkards who have
attained a place on the water
wagon and are staying there in
evitably feel a close bond of fellow
ship with the doctors who often saw
them after their periodic sprees.
Graduates of Many Cures"
There are many institutions for
| the treatment of alcoholism, and
some one-time rummies are grad
yates of not one but many of them.
In these institutions some have
found help. Thus, there is the at
mosphere of an alumni association
in the Tuesday night sessions of the
Washington chapter of Alcoholics
Anonymous.
This can best be illustrated, with
out an effort to be facetious, by the
initial appearance of new men,
ber, an attorney, who had drunk
himself out of job with the Fed
eral Government.
Standing in front of the group, he
marked with some effort: We'll, I
guess I'm the only one here who
has ever been to Gallinger Hospi-
tai" Unrestrained laughter broke
out. Before the evening was over
the newcomer discovered several he
had known in his days at Gallinger.
The same was true for former pa
tients at other institutions.
Meetings "Prescribed."
A doctor who specializes in alco-
holism recognized the value of Alco-
hoics Anonymous, and, at his sug-
gestion, many of his patients have
attended meetings of the group and
become quite active in helping vic
TINS of strong drink to overcome the
disease.
The A. AS and their doctor friend
have concurred that alcohol in any
form is poison to an alcoholic.
For the alcoholic, beer, wine or
liquor are all equally dangerous" the
doctor told them. The name of the
beverage is unimportant. 1t is the
fact that they all contain alcohol
in some degree"
This same point was driven hor1e
by an active member who often has
| presided at Washington chapter
meetings.
Il went to the home of a friend"
recalled the speaker a former sales
man and gentleman farmer. This
friend knew I was suffering from
alcoholism. He did not know better,
however, than to offer me some ale
Now, have some friends who have
tomato juice for me when I go to
their homes, and I really appreciate
that.
Realizes Danger.
Anyhow" he continued, "this
aforementioned friends wife later
came out on the porch and ex-
claimed: DO let me get you nice
cold bottle of ale Then it popped
into my mind-I had drunk two
bottles Of beer the week before, and
I rationalized that I could drink two
more. I did, and it wasn't long be-
fore was heading for a bright elec-
trio sigma sign over a tavern
down the street.
Il realized ultimately that if I
continued I was headed for binge.
T telephoned a friend who was an
alcoholic. He said he was in a ter
rible state of mind. I went to see
him and to help him, and after a
short time left there without the
desire to drink. No." he concluded
with emphasis, this beer experiment
won't work"
One doctor who has written of the
Alcoholics Anonymous movement is
DR.. w. D. Silkworth, New York,
whose article was printed In The
Journal-Lancet of Minneapolis,
Mimi, in July, 1899.
These ex-alcoholics frequently
ind that unless they spend time In