An Alcoholic’s Story

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30793, 3 July 1965, Page 4

An Alcoholic’s Story

Alcoholism. The Story Of An Alcoholic Who Found A Way Out. By S. S. Blackwood and Janet Paul. 200 PPThis is the deeply moving story of a New Zealander, who is an alcoholic. For obvious I reasons his identity is not disclosed, but the authenticity of his experience is vouched for in a foreword written by Dr. Charles R. Burns, a medical man of Wellington and the Rev. Charles S. Tobeck, of, Kihikihi, who from personal' knowledge of the author l writes an introduction of great insight. "Alcoholics Anonymous” needs no introduction or recommendation, for it is an established and eminently practical method of dealing with a great social disease. What makes this book of definite interest to New Zealand-

lers is that here we have a record of the struggle of a man. a New Zealander, to break the grip of compulsive drinking. It is written in the form of Action, but the stark facts are not hidden by reason of the medium in which they are presented.

The events by which the alcoholic is led to seek the help of Alcoholics Anonymous and the kindly but finn methods by which the group enables him to recognise his 'condition are told with draI matic clarity. It is well known how members of Alcoholics Anonymous come to the rescue, again and again, never upbraiding, for they themselves have been where the broken man finds himself. The story comes nearer home to readers, for the people and the scenes are not of another country but of our own country, New Zealand. This is a case history without a single exaggeration.

Alcoholism is a terrible disease and Alcoholics Anonymous emphasises very firmly that the sick victim needs the help from a power not of himself. There is an unnecessary reluctance about naming this “outside” power. The author calls it “The General Manager.” Whatever reticence one may have about the term “God” and what the term may mean, is no real reason for camouflaging the fact of “God.” Until the alcoholic reaches the point of committing himself to this “other,” that is to God, there is practically no hope of his recovery.

The statement is calmly made that “the alcoholic is born victim to a mysterious disease; he remains an alcoholic until the day he dies.” This statement is confuted by the fact of instantaneous conversion. There are many books to prove this, books giving evidence as clear as the evidence of alcoholism given in this book. It is hoped that this strik Ing account of a New Zealand er’s struggle against the terr ible compulsion to drink alcohol will be widely read.