Hello 211563-ga,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help with a sensitive
problem. Alcoholism affects a very large segment of the population
across all demographic categories. The stigma attached has been
dwindling, but I can understand why you would be concerned if you’re a
public figure.
On the other hand, when someone is an alcoholic, most people around
them know it. Managing the alcoholic’s moods and dealing with the
consequences of their behavior becomes a constant in the life of the
family. The alcoholic family eventually develops a variety of coping
methods that may include some/all of the following: 1)Denial of what
is really going on and making excuses for the alcoholic. 2)Anger and
rage because of the unreliability of the alcoholic and the disruptions
to normal life. 3) Walking on eggshells waiting for something terrible
to happen. 4) Managing the behavior of the alcoholic by looking for
signs of drinking, pouring out the liquor, extracting promises. 5)
Protecting the alcoholic from the consequences of their actions.
The turmoil created by the alcoholic pattern makes life more and more
difficult for the whole family. The alcoholic may or may not admit
that they have a problem but their problem wreaks havoc on those
around them. No matter how much family members want to help, the
alcoholic must recognize that they have to change. No one can make
them do it. Occasionally, if the alcoholic is endangering themselves
or others, it may be necessary to intervene to deal with the crisis.
Recovery and healing will only come with a commitment to change by the
alcoholic.
There is an enormous amount of information available to help you
evaluate your situation and to decide what kind of assistance you can
give your wife. A lot depends on your (and her) philosophy about
alcoholism and the available treatment modalities. Most of the current
treatment practices subscribe to the disease model of alcoholism.
Alcoholics Anonymous, the various 12-step and residential treatment
programs all consider alcoholism an illness and thus outside the
sufferer’s control. They provide a variety of approaches for how the
alcoholic can stop drinking and manage to remain sober. Most of these
treatment programs have a strong religious flavor that some people
find objectionable. There are other approaches available that consider
alcoholism a behavioral problem and emphasize the alcoholic’s ability
and responsibility to change behavior.
Whichever approach you take, there are a huge variety of programs
available. To answer your question of how to find a psychiatrist, I
would suggest using the same kind of techniques as you would for
finding any other kind of confidential advisor. Ask among friends you
trust for psychiatrists that they have found helpful. Review your
health plan coverage and investigate the roster of professionals
available. I’ve also included several resources for finding therapists
(including psychiatrists) online.
It takes determination on the part of everyone in the family to help
an alcoholic with their problem. I hope you will find the resources
I’ve collected helpful for yourself and your wife. Please ask for
clarification on any part of what I’ve offered.
I wish you success in getting help for your wife and your family.
czh
REFERRALS TO TREATMENT, TREATMENT FACILITIES, PROFESSIONALS
http://www.find-a-therapist.com/
Find-a-Therapist is a Web based provider of services for mental health
professionals and their clients. Since our launch on the Web in 1997,
we have been offering a solution to the problem of connecting people
to the right therapist, in the right way, at the right time.
***** This site provides lots of resources for learning about
therapists and varieties of therapy as well as a searchable listing of
service providers.
http://www.aca-usa.org/links.htm
American Council on Alcoholism
*****They offer over a dozen links to Treatment/Recovery facilities
including the Betty Ford and Hazelden centers.
http://www.aa2.org/philosophy/index.html
Theories of Addiction, Repetition and Behavior Change
Addiction Alternatives is about self-empowerment. It is about helping
you help yourself change. The basis of our philosophy is consistent
with the first principle of treatment of the National Institute of
Drug Abuse (NIDA): No single treatment is appropriate for all
individuals.
***** This organization takes a different approach from standard
alcoholism treatment. They offer an introductory free phone
consultation.
http://www.aamft.org/index_nm.asp
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
***** See link to Therapist Locator
http://www.therapistlocator.net/index.htm
http://www.aamft.org/families/Consumer_Updates/Alcohol.htm
Alcohol Problems
It used to be called alcoholism. Today we know better. We know that
drinking problems do not come in one form, but can take any of a
number of forms. Some people who abuse alcohol start drinking heavily
early in life and develop longstanding dependence. Others start using
regularly following a setback—such as losing a job, or losing a family
member. Still others engage in binges that may last for days, but are
spaced weeks or months apart.
http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US
Department of Health and Human Services
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
***** This searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs
shows the location of facilities around the country that treat
alcoholism, alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems. … The Locator
includes more than 11,000 addiction treatment programs, including
residential treatment centers, outpatient treatment programs, and
hospital inpatient programs for drug addiction and alcoholism.
http://www.lowefamily.org/home.html
Welcome to the Lowe Family Foundation – a place to turn if you are
trying to cope with alcohol abuse in your family.
***** The Interviews and Q&A Columns are very helpful for addressing
issues of living with someone who has an alcohol problem.
***** The Counselors section gives you a list of Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Counseling Organizations in every state.
GENERAL ALCOHOLISM INFORMATION
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alcoholism.html
Medline Health Information -- Alcoholism
***** This is an excellent place to start to gather general
information about alcoholism. The National Institutes of Health links
are especially useful.
http://www.ncadd.org/facts/index.html
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
http://www.ncadd.org/links/index.html
NCADD Links and Resources
***** This is a very extensive list of resources that’s easy to use
because of there is a brief description of each to give you a quick
idea of what they offer.
http://alcoholism.about.com/library/weekly/aa092497.htm
Decided to Stop Drinking?
***** This is a portal site for finding help on all aspects of
alcoholism, both for the alcoholic and their loved ones.
http://alcohol-drug-treatment.net/
Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction services is a public benefit service,
providing information, education and alcohol/drug treatment assessment
with referral options.
***** This is a comprehensive site that covers all the various
theories of alcoholism and possible treatment options without
endorsing any particular theory or approach. They also offer a
confidential Online Assessment and Treatment Referral Service.
http://www.peele.net/intro.html
The Stanton Peele Addiction Web Site
This is a distinctly non-medical approach. It views addiction as a
general pattern of behavior that nearly everyone experiences in
varying degrees at one time or another. …
***** This is a very large site with a huge library of resources that
takes a contrarian position against the mainstream alcohol treatment
industry.
http://www.unhooked.com/booktalk/hester_miller_handbook.html
Handbook of Alcoholism Treatment Approaches: Effective Alternatives
***** This is a good summary of the various approaches available for
treatment of alcoholism.
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p980953.html
Family Therapy Approaches to Alcoholism
In the past 25 years, a number of treatment modalities have developed
that incorporate increasingly sophisticated family therapy
perspectives to help alcoholics and their families through the
recovery process.
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/women_and_alcoholism
Women and Alcoholism
***** This is a collection of articles and anecdotal stories for women
affected by alcoholism.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1478X13.pdf
Understanding Abuse: When a Loved One Drinks Too Much
http://www.intervention.com/index.html
Intervention Center Family Intervention for Addiction.
***** This site gives you a lot of information about what is involved
with conducting an intervention for someone.
SEARCH STRATEGY
alcoholism
getting help alcoholism
alcoholism loved one
alcoholism treatment
alcoholism industry
alcoholic spouse |
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