2
Everyone who reads the newspapers has seen those
self-tests on alcoholism, but they are rarely accom-
panied by an explanation. Here are some questions
developed by Johns Hopkins Hospital, accompanied by
a commentary from Gloria Martin-Payne, director of
the state Health Department’s Division of Intervention
and Prevention Services.
1. Is drinking making your home life unahappy?
“When a person starts to develop a drinking
problem, the family is usually the first to notice - and
to suffer. A single isolated incident may not be
significant, but a pattern will develop when there is a
problem. Often the drinking spouse may state or imply
that ‘I wouldn’t drink so much if you were a better
husband (or wife).” This is untrue; an alcoholic will
eagerly seize any excuse to drink.”
2. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
“This covers much more than calling in sick. Many
white-collar alcoholics make a point of never actually
missing a day of work, but their performance will be
erratic. Long lunch hours and unexplained absences
are also a frequent part of the pattern.”
3. Do you drink because you are shy with other
people?
“This is a key question. A person who drinks as a
way of dealing with shyness or any other personal
problem is definitely becoming dependent on alcohol
and runs a great risk of becoming an alcoholic if he or
she is not already one.”
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
‘Unfortunately, our society still tends to be
extremely tolerant of drinking behavior. Once it
reaches a point where friends and acquaintances begin
to notice and comment, there is a good chance that
alcoholism is present.”
5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
“This is another case when one isolated incident
may not mean much. In the alcoholic, however, a
more drinking to ease the remorse and guilt, is very
common.”
6. Have you gotten into financial difficulties because
of drinking?
‘Although alcohol is one of the cheapest mood-
altering drugs available, it is not uncommon for the
Explaining problems
alcoholic to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars a
year on alcohol. Beyond the cost of the alcohol is the
fact that alcoholics generally have higher medical
bills, as well as fines or legal fees associated with
accidents or arrests associated with drinking.” -
7. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
“Alcoholics frequently fudge on this question. In
fact, many will move from one job to another just
before they are fired. This is part of the ego-defense
mechanism to salvage their self-respect.”
8. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as
the result of drinking?
“This is another very significant question, and one
which can be misinterpreted. Many people who have
too much to drink may be a little vague about events,
but the question specifically refers to a complete loss
of memory. This is known as an alcoholic blackout.
The individual may appear to be functioning normally,
but will never have any recollection of what was said,
9. Do you drink to build up self-confidence?
“Self-confidence is closely related to self-esteem,
and many authorities now recognize that persons who
have low self-esteem are at higher risk of becoming an
alcoholic.” t 3
10. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution
due to drinking?
“This is another question that can be misinter-
preted. It goes beyond specific treatment for alcohol-
ism, as many alcoholics are admitted to hospital
emergency departments for injuries sustained as the
result of drinking. Also it is not uncommon for
alcoholics to be hospitalized for stomach ailments
which are the result of drinking.”
“Diagnosis of alcoholism, like that of any other life-
threatening disease, should not be made lightly, and
there can be a considerable gray area between the
person who is a heavy drinker and the person who is
an alcoholic,” Martin-Payne said.
“On this test, two ore more ‘yes’ answers means
that there is a strong possibility that alcoholism exists
and professional help should be sought. In most areas,
help can be located in the telephone book, either in the
white or yellow pages under ‘Alcohol’,” she concluded.
Dallas Post/Ed Campbell
CHARLES T. BRAND D.M.
696-3868
Emergency Care at all hrs.
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THE DALLAS POST/Wednesday, April 16, 1986 15
115.
Help those
Who grieve
Most ‘of us feel powerless in the
face of news that a friend or rela-
tive has suffered the loss of a loved
one. We want to respond, but are
often afraid of doing or saying the
wrong thing.
The next time you find yourself
searching for a way to comfort
someone in grief, follow these five
suggestions from the April
‘Reader’s Digest.’
— Be there. Nothing is more
powerful than one human being
reaching out to another in time of
need. A heartfelt hug or just show-
ing up at the funeral means a lot.
— Listen. Grieving people need to
talk about the sudden vacuum in
their lives. Encourage them by
simply asking, “Would you like to
talk?” Above all, avoid comments
that discourage replies, such as
“It’s better now because he is at
peace’; “You'll get over this,” or
“Don’t question God’s purpose.”
— Send a note. Notes are a good
way to share memories of the
person who died. Knowing how
much a loved one meant to others
helps ease the misery of the
bereaved. Sometimes simple notes
that just say “I’m thinking of you
during these painful days” or “I am
praying for you during this time”
can help a great deal.
those that explain how to deal with
grief, make excellent gifts. Some
recommended titles include, “Those
Who Wait for Morning: Thoughts on
Being a Widow”, by Helen Thames
Raley; ‘Tracks of a Fellow Strug-
gler”’ by John Claypool; ‘When Bad
Things Happen to Good People” by
Rabbi Harold Kushner; and “Don’t
Take My Grief Away” by Doug
Manning.
/
lr
(717) 823-5161
Taylor selected
Jennie Taylor was selected Employee of the Month recently
at the Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas. This is the third
time she was given the award. She is employed as
personnel secretary and has been a Meadows staff member
for two and one half years. Mrs. Taylor is a native of
Johnson City, Tennessee. She graduated from Sulphur
Springs High School and attended Tennessee State College.
She and her husband, Alva, reside at Harveys Lake. For her
award winning idea, Mrs. Taylor received a cash award
from, left, Thomas J. Sweeney, Administrator at the Center,
and Raymond Condo, Executive Director of Ecumenical
Enterprises, Inc., the non-profit corporation which onws and
operates the nursing center.
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