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Alcohol and Drinking - Treatments for Alcoholism Essay examples

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Treatments for Alcoholism

Where can alcoholics receive help? “Hospitals, psychiatric agencies, public-welfare departments, and social agencies, among others are often reluctant to provide care and treatment for problem drinkers” (Plaut, 53). Although it is difficult to help these problems drinkers, many people will give all they can to help these problem drinkers. “The provision of treatment to problem drinkers is complicated because they differ from one to another in so many ways” (Plaut, 33). Many different factors vary within problem drinkers. “Not only do their drinking patterns vary greatly, but also their physical health, psychological condition, and economic circumstances” (Plaut, 34). Problem drinkers have problems …show more content…

However, “long-term control over drinking frequently cannot be achieved without other significant changes in the patient and his situation, including a reduction of tensions and distress” (Plaut, 35). In addition, “the quality of the patient”s life, his interpersonal relations and his social and psychological functioning, must all come within the focus of treatment” (Plaut, 35). The most popular and widely advocated treatment for alcoholism is Alcoholics Anonymous. “In 1938 it was estimated that over one million people belong to A.A. There are about forty-eight thousand chapters of the organization in one hundred and ten countries” (Mendelson and Mellow, 337). These chapters range in size from “six to four hundred persons” (Mendelson and Mellow, 337). Many people all around the USA receive help from Alcoholics Anonymous. “A.A. stresses that alcoholism is a disease and the persons suffering from it have lost their ability to control their drinking” (Plaut, 62). The frequent meetings “consist principally of the study of A.A. principles, and of members giving personal reports on their own successful struggles in dealing with alcoholism” (Plaut, 63). In addition, “the clearly stated principles of A.A. have been a help to many problem drinkers, although serving as a barrier for some others” (Plaut, 63). Alcoholics Anonymous is a wonderful sel-help group but it is not the cure for all problem drinking.

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