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Most people believe things about alcoholism that are not true. These myths can keep people from recognizing alcoholism when it shows up among family members, friends and at work. Myth #1:
“He can’t be an alcoholic. He’s too
nice.” Fact: Many alcoholics are nice, much of the time. Alcoholism is a physical, emotional, and spiritual disease. In early stages of the disease, personality may not seem to be affected all the time. Myth #2: “She’s not an alcoholic, she only drinks wine.” Fact: Alcohol is alcohol. The issue is not so much what a person drinks as when, where and why. Myth #3: “ Alcoholics are skid row bums.” Fact: Only about three percent of alcoholics are skid row types. Most people with the disease hold jobs, have families and are respected in the community. Myth #4: “How can he be an alcoholic? He only drinks after work.” Fact: Many alcoholics schedule their drinking for after work and weekends. Myth #5: “She’s not always drunk. How can she be an alcoholic?” Fact: Few alcoholics are “always drunk.” What counts is what occurs when they do drink. Myth #6: “He hardly ever misses work. That doesn’t sound like an alcoholic to me.” Fact: Many alcoholics rarely miss work, especially in early stages of the disease. But they may feel terrible when they show up- and the quality and quantity of their work may go downhill. Myth #7:
“Women
aren’t alcoholics.” Fact: Alcoholism is an equal-opportunity disease. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender. Myth #8:
“She’s
too young to be an alcoholic.” Fact: Alcoholism does not respect age. Even children can be alcoholics. Myth #9:
“I’ve
never seen him with a drink.” Fact: Alcoholics often manage to keep their drinking habits secret from co-workers and employees. Myth #10: “He can’t be an alcoholic. He has such a nice family.” Fact: Many alcoholics have “nice families.” The family often is able to take care of- and to cover up for- the alcoholic for a long time. If you or someone you know has problems with alcohol or other substance abuse issues, call Mountain View Hospital’s CARELINE at 1-800-662-1002 for a confidential assessment at no cost or obligation. In addition, Mountain View Hospital offers
an Adult Chemical Dependency and Co-Dependency Educational Support Group, please
click here for the schedules and for more
information or contact the CARELINE at (800) 662-1002.
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