Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights (The Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living) PDF
Preview Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic: Professional Views and Personal Insights (The Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living)
UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH-FUNCTIONING ALCOHOLIC Recent Titles in The Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living Fact and Fiction of Healthy Vision: Eye Care for Adults and Children Clyde K. Kitchen Ordinary Miracles: Learning from Breast Cancer Survivors S. David Nathanson, M.D. Solving Health and Behavioral Problems from Birth through Preschool: A Parent’s Guide Roy Benaroch, M.D. Polio Voices: An Oral History from the American Polio Epidemics and Worldwide Eradication Efforts Julie Silver, M.D., and Daniel Wilson, Ph.D. Jihad and American Medicine: Thinking Like a Terrorist to Anticipate Attacks via Our Health System Adam Frederic Dorin, M.D. Understanding the Antioxidant Controversy: Scrutinizing the “Fountain of Youth” Paul E. Milbury and Alice C. Richer The Criminalization of Medicine: America’s War on Doctors Ronald T. Libby When the Diagnosis Is Multiple Sclerosis: Help, Hope, and Insights from an Affected Physician Kym E. Orsetti Furney, M.D. Understanding Fitness: How Exercise Fuels Health and Fights Disease Julie Silver, M.D., and Christopher Morin A Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: Professional and Personal Views Rhonda L. Hamilton, M.D., M.P.H. An Introduction to Botanical Medicines: History, Science, Uses, and Dangers Antoine Al-Ache Understanding the Cesarean Section Controversy: Making Informed Decisions Nicette Jukelevics UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH-FUNCTIONING ALCOHOLIC Professional Views and Personal Insights Sarah Allen Benton The Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living Julie Silver, M.D., Series Editor Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Benton, Sarah Allen, 1976– Understanding the high-functioning alcoholic : professional views and personal insights / Sarah Allen Benton. p. cm.—(The Praeger series on contemporary health and living, ISSN 1932–8079) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978–0–313–35280–5 (alk. paper) 1. Alcoholics. 2. Alcohol—Physiological effect. 3. Alcoholism. I. Title. RC565.B463 2009 616.86’1—dc22 2008040393 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright ⃝C 2009 by Sarah Allen Benton All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2008040393 ISBN: 978–0–313–35280–5 ISSN: 1932–8079 First published in 2009 Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.praeger.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Copyright Acknowledgments The author and the publisher gratefully acknowledge permission for use of the following material: “Wasted”—Words and music by Marv Green, Troy Verges, and Hillary Lindsey ⃝c 2005 Warner- Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Raylene Music, Songs from the Engine Room and Songs of Universal, Inc. All Rights for Raylene Music administered by BPJ Administration. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. The excerpts from Alcoholics Anonymous and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (“AAWS”). Permission to reprint these excerpts does not mean that AAWS has reviewed or approved the contents of this publi- cation, or that AAWS necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only—use of these excerpts in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non-A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. This book is for general information only. No book can ever substitute for the judgment of a medical professional. If you have worries or concerns, contact your doctor. The names and many details of individuals discussed in this book have been changed to protect the patients’ identities. Some of the stories are composites of patient interactions created for illustrative purposes. Every reasonable effort has been made to trace the owners of copyright materials in this book, but in some instances this has proven impossible. The author and publisher will be glad to receive information leading to more complete acknowledgments in subsequent printings of the book and in the meantime extend their apologies for any omissions. To all the men and women who battle the disease of alcoholism on a daily basis. Contents Series Foreword by Julie Silver ix Preface xi Acknowledgments xiii Part I. Active Alcoholism 1 1. Introduction: High-Functioning Alcoholics 3 2. In the Beginning: High-Functioning Alcoholics in High School 16 3. Freedom: High-Functioning Alcoholics in College 28 4. Adrift: High-Functioning Alcoholics as Emerging Adults 46 5. Falling Uphill: Professional, Intelligent, and Alcoholic 60 6. Attempts to Cure the Problem: Out of Control and Hitting Bottom 77 Part II. Recovery 95 7. A New Start: The Paths to Sobriety 97 8. Filling the Void: Spirituality, Religion, and the Bottle 118 9. Transformation: The Twelve Steps 133 10. The Challenge: Life in Recovery 153 Appendices 165 A: DSM-IV TR—Substance Dependence Diagnostic Criteria 165 B: DSM-IV TR—Substance Abuse Diagnostic Criteria 166 C: Alcohol Screening Test 166 D: Alcohol Recovery Programs Contact Information 167 viii Contents E: Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 168 F: “New Life” Acceptance Program of Women for Sobriety, Inc.— Thirteen Statements 168 Notes 169 Bibliography 191 Index 201 Series Foreword Over the past hundred years, there have been incredible medical break- throughs that have prevented or cured illness in billions of people and helped many more improve their health while living with chronic conditions. A few of the most important twentieth-century discoveries include antibiotics, organ transplants, and vaccines. The twenty-first century has already heralded im- portant new treatments including such things as a vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus from infecting and potentially leading to cervical cancer in women. Polio is on the verge of being eradicated worldwide, making it only the second infectious disease behind smallpox to ever be erased as a human health threat. In this series, experts from many disciplines share with readers important and updated medical knowledge. All aspects of health are considered including subjects that are disease-specific and preventive medical care. Disseminating this information will help individuals to improve their health as well as re- searchers to determine where there are gaps in our current knowledge and policymakers to assess the most pressing needs in health care. Series Editor Julie Silver, M.D. Assistant Professor Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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