Allison Marshall

Debra Jizi

UWRT 1104

31 October 2017

Double Entry Journal

Alcoholism: A Challenging Physician Patient Encounter

Citation: Johnson, B. & Clark, W. J Gen Intern Med (1989) 4: 445. https://doi-
org.librarylink.uncc.edu/10.1007/BF02599698

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #) Responses

The person who has alcoholism more or
less consciously wishes that his physician
will help control the drinking so that he or
she can enjoy life and continue to drink.
(pg.445)
Alcoholics often go to physicians in hopes
that they will be able to control their problem
instead of stopping it entirely.

When the stress goes away, so do the Alcoholism is often caused by stress.
drinking-associated symptoms. (pg.445)

[]useful definition of alcoholism: repeated This is an accurate definition to me because

harm from drinking (pg.446) alcoholics mostly have a negative idea of
drinking.

A psychological shift occurs, and the These are called excuses that alcoholics use
person looks for reasons to drink, to justify their behavior.
justifications for drinking, and alternative
explanations for rude, nasty, careless, or
other inappropriate behaviors. (pg.446)

[] the leading causes of death among This is horrifying because my dad is an

men 25 to 44 years old are all alcohol- alcoholic and within this age range.
related (pg. 447)

Effective engagement requires the This makes me wonder whether physicians

physician to explicitly demonstrate his or her actually care about their patients or if they just
caring and respect for the sick person while pretend because its their job.
scrupulously avoiding any responsibility for
either drinking or abstinence. (pg. 448)
Intervention with a patient who has been I feel like when alcoholics dont acknowledge
denying his or her alcoholism truly presents they have a problem, they get angry when
a dilemma. (pg. 448) theyre called out for it.

Recovery from alcoholism means more My dad always says its just another day,
than mustering the willpower to quit drinking basically saying he takes it one day at a time.
yet one more time. (pg. 450)

You have reached the point where you will Its hard to believe some people would
depend either on people (treatment) or on choose drinking over human comfort.
alcohol; you must make that choice over
and over from now on. (pg. 450)

Psychotropic drugs and tranquilizers are I remember when my dad went to rehab, he
not effective in the treatment of alcoholism. wasnt really taking any medication. He just
(pg. 451) had to bare through the withdrawals.

On the other hand, some patients who I know of someone many people who lost
appear to have many strengths deteriorate great opportunities due to their alcoholism.
because, of frequent relapses. (pg. 451)

The patient's wish to use only "willpower" Getting treatments has always proved more
signals both feelings of guilt and selfblame effective than doing it yourself.
and a desire to demonstrate a strong
character. (pg. 451)

One effective treatment modality is My dad goes to AA meeting atleast 4 times a

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). (pg. 450) week. Without it, Im afraid he would definitely
relapse. They have helped him so much.

Refuse to give up on the patient, unless the The patient needs moral support more now
patient manifests irreversible cognitive than ever. Dont give up on them!!
impairments that preclude participation in
active treatment for alcoholism. (pg. 452)