recovery. If the alcoholic is in the acute phase of alcoholism and is suffering from complications such as delirium tremens or serious health problems, hospitalization may be necessary. We can not make an alcoholic commit him or herself to recovery”(Bender 89). Some therapists suggest that family members may influence the alcoholic by not supporting drinking activities, by seeking therapy for themselves, and by not joining in the alcoholic’s denial of the problem. Alcoholism is sometimes thought of as a family disease. This is why allowing the alcoholic to drink socially may limit his or her drinking. This is a way in which family members can aid the progress of the alcoholic’s recovery.Social and cultural factors may play a role in establishing drinking patterns and alcoholism. Among some cultures there is conflict between values of abstinence and the acceptance of alcohol as a usual way to change moods or to be sociable. These conflicts within the culture may make it difficult for some people to develop their own stable attitudes and moderate patterns of drinking.Even though the “alcoholic” may realize the danger, the short term rewards are so great and the urge is so powerful that the drinking habit has to be protected, and its adverse effects denied. Support groups such as “Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)” try to hold reasons like this against “alcoholics.” An ex-alcoholic that came out of the A.A. program named Marianne Gilliam had over three and a half years of sobriety before she decided to drink champagne on her wedding day. The reasons behind this was the fear based A.A. message of “If you drink again, you’ll die”(Gilliam 263) was repeating constantly in her mind. The twelve-step program that the A.A. provides seemed to put fear in people’s minds instead of hope. This lead Gilliam to depend on moderation to help stop her drinking problem.Maki...
