Addressing alcohol problems
By Angelica Redleaf, DC

When you think of addictions, you normally think about alcohol, drugs, and food. These are the “bad addictions.” Other kinds of addictions are less commonly recognized. In fact, many are often considered “good.” These include addictions to work, exercise, and sex.

In our culture, people who work hard or take good care of their bodies are admired. And society puts a stamp of approval on sexuality. As long as behavior — drinking, work, exercise — is balanced, it is OK. But a fine line exists between balanced behavior and addiction. Going over the line develops an addiction.

Let’s take a look at the most widely recognized of addictions — alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a disease that includes four symptoms:

When people have an alcohol problem, individuals who are close to them find it hard to discuss the problem. They hope it will go away. Sometimes they don’t even see the problem — often because the addicts indulge privately or because they themselves have a problem.

Experts I have consulted suggest talking about this with our patients, even if we are not alcoholism counselors, because if we care, we can at least offer encouragement and referral to experts within the community.

Making the decision to help patients in this area depends on how much time you take with your patients, how comfortable you are talking about these issues, and how well prepared you are to talk about the disease.

Before you bring up the subject with any patient, tap into your community’s resources. Find out what types of treatment centers are available, how to make referrals to them, and what other types of resources the patient may use, use as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Here are some general guidelines for your discussion with patients:

People undergo several stages of change and receptivity concerning addiction. It’s helpful to be aware of these stages and to try to recognize which state a person may be in:

• Precontemplation. The individual does not even think about the need to stop what he is doing and may believe there is no problem. When you come across such an individual, planting “seeds” for future recovery can be helpful.

• Contemplation. The person has already begun thinking she may have a problem. You can tip the balance between making changes and not making changes.

• Preparation. The patient has been thinking about where to go for help. You can be helpful by reinfor-cing his decision and help him to determine the best course of action.

• Action. The person has signed up for help. You can aid by being supportive.

• Maintenance. The individual has been through treatment and is remaining sober and straight. Your role is to be encouraging and supportive.

• Termination. If you see signs of relapse, offer support.

Alcoholism — or any addiction — is not a weakness; it is a disease. Learn about it. And approach the subject with compassion. You can be a vehicle for healing the soul as well as the spine.

Angelica Redleaf, DC, has been in practice in Providence, R.I., since 1978. She is the author of Behind Closed Doors: Gender, Sexuality & Touch in the Doctor/Patient Relationship (1998) and is an instructor on boundary training for ChiroEcoCE.com. She welcomes questions that may be appropriate to answer in this column. She can be contacted at angelchiro@aol.com.