Alcoholics in close-up

Press, 26 February 1980, Page 17

Alcoholics in close-up

By

MARK BENSEMANN

Another blow in the. fight against alcoholism should be struck soon by increasing the chances of its early detection. This is one goal of a course planned under the auspices of the Mahu clinic at Sunnyside Hospital to widen the knowledge of doctors about the disease. It will be aimed principally at general practitioners, who will spend a fortnight at the clinic observing and participating in the treatment of alcoholics there. The clinic’s director (Dr N. Walker), sees the course as extending the work of the clinic further into the community. “There is an improving knowledge of alcoholism

among doctors but it is still probably not very adequate,” he said. “By introducing doctors to the treatment programme we hope to improve their

ability to deal with people who have alcohol or drug addiction problems.”

The course will be modelled partly on others overseas where doctors are involved in the treatment of alcoholics. One example is a programme at Long Beach, California, where more than 2000 medical people have seen the problem at closer quarters. Doctors attending the Mahu course will be helped by a bursary from the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council, and it is supported by the newlyformed Medical Society on Alcoholism.

“It’s possible that G.P.s won’t be willing to give up their practice or take annual leave for the two weeks, but some have already expressed their interest,” said Dr Walker. are at the grass roots level in our community. We hope they will be able to deal with some alcoholics on an outpatient basis, with the help of organisations like Alcoholics Anonymous.” Many of those referred to the Mahu programme were sent by G.P.s, said Dr Walker. He did not think that G.P.s, however well-edu-cated about the disease of alcoholism, could totally

replace the work of clinics like Mahu.

“Many people don’t need a programme, but rather, advice and encouragement. However, others who have difficulty in controlling the problem are likely to need more help..' ‘ “Alcoholism in the community is not really being dealt with adequately. The course'is- just another step to cope with the problem, at a different stage.” There was more public knowledge about alcoholism, said Dr Walker. “People are beginning , to ask themselves: What sort of drinker am I?”

Anyone who drank alco-

hoi at all ran the risk of . becoming an alcoholic, he ■said. Although other aspects of treating alcoholism-will also be examined, the course will focus on the work of the Mahu clinic. That programme began about 10 years ago at a time when many alcoholics were being admitted to Sunnyside. There were so many that it became necessary to separate their treatment from that of other patients, and this was found to be an almost immediate success. Today Mahu caters for up to 50 inpatients and outpatients at a time, and has been responsible for dealing with the alcholism of thousands. Although the national centre for the treatment of alcoholism is at Hanmer, Mahu has one of the three or four largest . programmes in New Zealand. • ' The recovery > . .-ratei achieved by the programme is believed to be, about 50 per cent. The figure is based on. a study of the 1000 patients who passed through Mahu- between 1972 and 1976, Two years later only half were’ found to have relapsed.

Chances of recovery vary ' from patient to patient, with various factors indicating in advance

their likelihood of beating the problem.. If there is some organic damage, particularly to the brain then the chances of recovery are less. Signs which give a good prognosis are a stable social background, an intact and caring family, and a good work record. Females generally have a better chance of recovery than males.

“It is crucial for people to make their recovery before their brain cells are damaged,” said Dr Walker. - Those whose alcoholism has progressed to the stage of brain damage may have to be committed to the hospital for longer periods. In these cases they are transferred away from the Mahu programme to another rehabilitation scheme.

Some dp recover enough to return to the community again, said Dr Walker.

When someone . experienced a first blackout it indicated that the first stage of brain damage had occurred, he said, although it was still reversible at this stage. “People may appear intact but tests can show that their brains have been damaged.” Patients undergo treatment at Mahu for between six and 12 weeks, although it is tailored to suit the individual. With the aid of such Things as group therapy, patients on the programme are taught What' their disease is and how it involves them.

“We show them reality and help people cope with • their feelings,” said Dr Walker. “If people are going to live in difficult situations of life without • drugs then we are going „.t£> have to look at the dif- " ficulties'-of living.” Dr Walker believed that: Sunnyside was quite a . suitable, place to run a /programme for the treatament of alcoholics. “Some people think they . should be actually away ’ from a psychiatric hospital but. we don’t see it as a problem.” It had the advantage of being within range of the hospital’s psychological and psychiatric services.