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Story
August 2, 1960
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
Article on alcoholism as a serious disease affecting 5 million Americans, mostly workers, with 20 million more impacted. It debunks myths of weak will, calls for recognition as a health issue needing professional treatment, amid rising cases since 1954.
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What Hope For The Alcoholic?
At least one out of every 30 people in our country today is only half a person. He may be intelligent, well dressed, and at times, busier, more imaginative, more efficient than most of us. Then-gradually-his behavior changes. He seems preoccupied, irritable, less efficient on the job.
Soon he begins to miss Monday mornings. He calls the office and reports a touch of virus or an attack of flu. Few realize he is suffering from a more dangerous disease. He has become an alcoholic.
When the tensions imposed by everyday life become too great ... especially in times of nationwide insecurity like our present cold war era .. people must have an outlet. Many try relaxing ... playing golf, collecting stamps, traveling. Others need a more immediate release. Some turn to alcohol.
About 5,000,000 people in this country today are in some stage of alcoholism an increase of one million since 1954.
MANY WORKERS
Half of this group are industrial workers men and women skilled in their trades. They have families and community responsibility. They are usually well above the average in intelligence. Many of them also suffer from liver dysfunction, mental illness, blindness, stomach disorder .. all ailments associated with chronic drinking.
But much larger than the number of actual alcoholics is the number of lives deeply affected by each chronic drinker. Family, friends, and employers add another 20 million to the size of the problem.
With so many people involved, the public can no longer afford to ignore this health problem the fourth most serious in the nation.
The American Medical Association and other professional and scientific bodies recognize alcoholism as a true disease ... an illness beyond the ordinary control of the individual, requiring professional treatment.
But even now there are people who still think of the chronic drinker as a drunkard, a "lush," a Skid Row derelict or a "weak-willed bum" who can't hold his liquor like a gentleman.
The terms "drunkard" or "lush" are meaningless when it comes to defining the victim's condition. The word "alcoholic" on the other hand, has a definite meaning to doctors and psychologists.
It doesn't make sense to suggest that the alcoholic is weak-willed and could control his drinking by "using a little will power." This is like saying an epileptic can prevent a seizure by using a little will power.
Once these misconceptions are corrected and the alcoholic can
At least one out of every 30 people in our country today is only half a person. He may be intelligent, well dressed, and at times, busier, more imaginative, more efficient than most of us. Then-gradually-his behavior changes. He seems preoccupied, irritable, less efficient on the job.
Soon he begins to miss Monday mornings. He calls the office and reports a touch of virus or an attack of flu. Few realize he is suffering from a more dangerous disease. He has become an alcoholic.
When the tensions imposed by everyday life become too great ... especially in times of nationwide insecurity like our present cold war era .. people must have an outlet. Many try relaxing ... playing golf, collecting stamps, traveling. Others need a more immediate release. Some turn to alcohol.
About 5,000,000 people in this country today are in some stage of alcoholism an increase of one million since 1954.
MANY WORKERS
Half of this group are industrial workers men and women skilled in their trades. They have families and community responsibility. They are usually well above the average in intelligence. Many of them also suffer from liver dysfunction, mental illness, blindness, stomach disorder .. all ailments associated with chronic drinking.
But much larger than the number of actual alcoholics is the number of lives deeply affected by each chronic drinker. Family, friends, and employers add another 20 million to the size of the problem.
With so many people involved, the public can no longer afford to ignore this health problem the fourth most serious in the nation.
The American Medical Association and other professional and scientific bodies recognize alcoholism as a true disease ... an illness beyond the ordinary control of the individual, requiring professional treatment.
But even now there are people who still think of the chronic drinker as a drunkard, a "lush," a Skid Row derelict or a "weak-willed bum" who can't hold his liquor like a gentleman.
The terms "drunkard" or "lush" are meaningless when it comes to defining the victim's condition. The word "alcoholic" on the other hand, has a definite meaning to doctors and psychologists.
It doesn't make sense to suggest that the alcoholic is weak-willed and could control his drinking by "using a little will power." This is like saying an epileptic can prevent a seizure by using a little will power.
Once these misconceptions are corrected and the alcoholic can
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Curiosity
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Moral Virtue
Recovery
What keywords are associated?
Alcoholism
Disease
Statistics
Misconceptions
Treatment
Cold War Era
Where did it happen?
Our Country
Story Details
Location
Our Country
Event Date
Today, Increase Since 1954
Story Details
Discusses alcoholism as a disease affecting 5 million people, mostly intelligent workers, with associated health issues and impact on 20 million others; debunks weak will myth, urges professional treatment recognition.