November
4th, 1939 Cleveland
Plain Dealer
“A
PHYSICIAN LOOKS UPON ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
By
ELRICK B. DAVIS
Dr.
Silkworth
The
first appraisal in a scientific journal of Alcoholics Anonymous,
former drunkards who cure themselves by curing each other with the
help of religious experience, was published in the July issue of the
journal Lancet. It was "A New Approach to Psychotherapy [in] Chronic Alcoholism.: by W. D.
Silkworth, M.D. physician in charge, Chas B. Town's Hospital, New
York City. A drunkard during a moment of [deep] depression had the
spontaneous "religious experience" which started his cure.
This was the seed from which came Alcoholics Anonymous. Dr. silkworth
was at first skeptical. He is no longer. Excerpts from his paper
follow:
"The
beginning and subsequent development of a new approach to the problem
of permanent recovery for the chronic alcoholic has already produced
remarkable results and promises much for the future. This statement
is based upon four years of close observation. the principal answer
is: Each ex-alcoholic has had and is able to maintain, a vital
spiritual or 'religious' experience, accompanied by marked changes of
personality. There is a radical change in outlook, attitude and
habits of thought. In nearly all cases, these are evident within a
few months, often less.
"The
conscious search of these ex-alcoholics for the right answer has
enabled them to find an approach effectual in something more than
half of all cases. This is truly remarkable when it is remembered
that most of them were undoubtedly beyond the reach of other remedial
measures.
Religion
"Considering
the presence of the religious factor, one might expect to find
unhealthy emotionalism and prejudice. On the contrary, there
is an instant readiness to discard old methods for new which produce
better results. It was early found that usually the weakest approach
to an alcoholic is directly through his family or friends, especially
if the patient is drinking heavily. Ex-alcoholics frequently
insist a physician take the patient in hand, placing him in a
hospital when possible. If proper hospitalization and medical care is
not carried out, this patient faces the danger of delirium tremens,
'wet brain' or other complications. After a few days' stay, the
physician brings up the question of permanent sobriety. If the
patient is interested, he tactfully introduces a member of the group.
By this time the prospect has self-control, can think straight, and
the approach can be made casually. More than half the fellowship have
been so treated. The group is unanimous in its belief that
hospitalization is desirable, even imperative, in most cases...
"An
effort is made for frank discussion with the patient, leading to
self-understanding. He must make the necessary readjustment to his
environment. Co-operation and confidence must be secured. The
objectives are to bring about extraversion and provide someone to
whom he can transfer his dilemma. This group is now attaining this
because of the following reasons:
Reasons
1.
Because of their alcoholic experiences and successful recoveries they
secure a high degree of confidence from their prospects.
2.
Because of this initial confidence, identical experiences, and the
fact that the discussion is pitched on moral and religious grounds,
the patient tells his story and makes his self-appraisal with extreme
thoroughness and honesty. He stops living alone and finds himself
within reach of a fellowship with whom he can discuss his problems as
they arise.
3.
Because of the ex-alcoholic brotherhood, the patient too, is able to
save other alcoholics from destruction. At one and the same time, the
patient acquires an ideal, a hobby, a strenuous avocation, and a
social life which he enjoys among other ex-alcoholics and their
families. These factors make powerfully for his extraversion.
4.
Because of objects aplenty in whom he can vest his confidence, the
patient can turn to the individuals to whom he first gave his
confidence, the ex-alcoholic group as a whole, or to the Deity. “
(our
emphases)
Comment:
Cult members would be wise to note the emphasis on leaving to
trained physicians the proper medical care of their patients. The
services of plumbers
or other amateurs are
not required!
Cheerio
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
