36
36
36
Wanda P. Lindsay
This paper presents brief mforma efore examining the role of the estimate that 4 percent of the United
tion on the incidence of alcohol B occupational therapist in the States population over age 20 suffer
ism, its effects on physiological treatment of alcoholism, it is im from alcoholism, or 9 million of 2
and psychosocial dysfunction, and portant to understand the incidenCf billion people (2-4). These figures
the disease concept. j\![ ore detai led of alcoholism, its impact on health do not reflect nonalcoholics who
information is provided on a care, and some basic concepts about abuse alcohol or the growing num
treatment program designed to the disease. Alcoholism is a disease bers of teenagers with the disease. In
meet the special needs of the alco of considerable magnitude. In 1973, addition, at least 36 million Ameri
holiC pallent, and the integral role there were 9,500,000 people with cans are affected by their relation
of the occupational therapist In alcoholism on the North American shi ps wi th active a Icololics (2-4).
this program IS explained. continent, of which 90 percent or Children of female alcoholics who
Patients are given support to more represen t a cross section of the may be suffering from fetal alcohol
accept the chronic disease of population (I). Recent studies syndrome or fetal alcohol effects as
alcoholism, are taught skills a result of maternal alcohol con
needed to maintain sobrzety, have sumption during gestation must
opportunities to beg·in utilizmg also be considered (5, 6). (Fetal
resources for sobriety, and are IVanda P. Lmdsay, OTR, IS staff alcohol syndrome is a pattern of
assisted m regainzng a sense of therapist, A lcoholism Treatment altered growth, morphogenesis, and
self-worth. Unit, Mercy Hospital and Medical behavioral impairment manifested
Center, Chicago, and an Occupa in a wide range of a bnormal charac
tIOnal Therapy Consultant spe teristics (7).)
clalizmg in alcoholism. Alcohol also has a significant
January 1983,onVolume
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impact on health care. In the United creates a defense system that makes work performance, addiction to
States 20 percent of all hospitalized alcoholic persons unwilling or un other drugs, increased physical
persons have an alcohol problem in able to look at their lives and the problems, and morning drinking.
addition to the presenting problem problems drinking has caused. The progression through these
(2). In several countries alcoholism Antisocial or isolative behavior re stages may last a few months to sev
is the third leading cause of death sults and the person may begin to eral years, and is different for each
(after heart disease and cancer), and view alcohol as a best friend. Alco person. By the late stages of the
in France, 48 percen t of the ind ustri holism destroys self-respect because disease the family unit has often
al accidents are attributed to alco its victims have tried to stop drink deteriorated, the job may have been
hol abuse (8). ing and failed, not knowing the lost, and the person's life revolves
Effects of A lcohoL. Alcohol use ina bil ity to stop is part of the disease around drinking. Symptoms mani·
affects many organs and systems of process and requires professional fest at this time are an inability to
the body. In the digestive system it help. Specific maladaptive behav abstain, decreased tolerance to
acts as an irritant, increasing acid iors may be seen in the alcoholic alcohol, tremors, hallucinations,
flow, and at times impeding diges person: inability to tOlerate pres and delerium tremens (a life-threat
tion. In the circulatory system alco sure and stress, dependency, failure ening part of withdra wall (1,2, 12)
hol acts as a \'asodilator, aggravat to express one's self, feelings of Treatment and the beginning of
ing high blood pressure and contrib being "put down" by others, and a the recovery process can be initiated
uting to hean problems. A kidney lashing out at people and circum at any stage but often realization of
controlling hormone is inhibited stances through drinkll1g. It is im the need for help is not recognized
by alcohol, causing the kidneys to portant for professionals who work until the late stages. All symptOms
produce too much urine. Alcohol with alcoholic patients to accept the may not appear in every patient and
also has marked effects on the liver, effects of alcoholism on the person are nOl necessary for the diagnosis
preventing maintenance of proper or their work will be hindered by a of alcoholism. Impaired life ad
sugar levels in the body, depriving lack of understanding and poor jus tmenl in terms of heal th, per
the brain and other organs of ade communication (10, II). sonal and social relationships, and
quate nourishment. Long-term use Examining various stages and occupational functioning identify
damages the liver permanently (1,2, specific symptOms of the disease alcoholism (12, 13). figure I further
9) will enhance the professional's un illustrates the symptoms of the
The central nervous system, par derstanding of the patient. In the disease and their progression.
ticularly the brain, is most sensitive ea I' j Ystages of the disease there is an
to alcohol. Alcohol interferes with increased tolerance to alcohol, Literature Review
brain activity by acting as a depres blackouts (memory impairment), No current literature is available on
sant. Behavioral changes that make gulpIng and sneaking drinks, and the specific role of the occupational
alcohol appear to be a stimulant are some guilt feelings about drinking. therapist in alcoholism treatment.
due to the suspension of inhibitions The onset of the early-stage symp Although a 1952 occupationalther
in several areas of the brain. Judg toms can occur at any age and there apy article referred to alcoholism as
ment, muscle coordination, comrol is no specific time one crosses from a disease rather than a social dis
of emotions, and sensory percep "social drinking" into the early grace, it did not discuss approaches
tion are all affected. Large amounts stages of the disease. I n the middle to the alcoholic patient that would
of alcohol anesthetize the brain cen stages of the disease, other symp differ from those used with patienls
ters that control heart rate and tOms become apparent including having a variety of psychiatric dis
breathing to the degree that coma or loss of control, use of alibis for orders (14). Alcoholic patients have
even death can occur (1, 2, 9). abnormal behavior, geographic traditionally been lreated in mental
Alcoholism is classified as a escape, change in drinking patterns, health settings with no attention
disease because it is predictable, and periods of abstinence. Other gi ven to their special needs, or the
exhibits symptOms, and is progres symptoms that may be apparent at different approaches necessary to
sive if not arrested. In addition to this time are the appearance of a meet those needs (14- I9). Detoxifi
the physical effects described, the "Dr. JekyIJ/Mr. Hyde" personality, cation centers have specialized in
disease affects the emotional and Monday morning absenteeism, tak "dryi ng out" alcoholic persons, bu t
spiritual aspects of a person (2). It ing long lunch hours, inconsistent patients usually returned to their
-----------~
(21). The most recen t ( 1980) classifi
cation of alcoholism as a substance
use disorder does not assume the ~ Loss of control
involvement of emotional disorder, g> Rationalization begins
but does outline the basis on which (i) Increased relief drinking
.! Hiding liquor
a diagnosis can be formed (22). Re ~ Tremors, morning drinking
classification of alcoholism from i More frequent memory lapses (blackouts)
psychiatric or pvschoJogical dis Grandiose and aggressive behavior
Family, money, and job problems
order into addiction and disease Efforts to control fail
process categories has a significant Neglect of food
impact on the treatment approach Drinking alone
Family and friends avoided
used with the patient, and has been Loss of job
\--------~
helpful in improving patient's atti
tudes and outlook for recovery (23).
o occupational therapy literature ::: Now thinks-"responsibilities
exists which reflects a change in Ol
~
interfere with my drinking"
(J) Physical deterioration
classification or approach. Some
CIl Urgent need for morning drink
publications on alcoholism have 3 I mpaired thinking and memory loss
referred to the benefit of activities Inability to abstain
Decrease in alcohol tolerance ~
therapy programs(l, 23). Blum and CIl
~
Unable to work o
Blum (12) discuss the therapeutic Increasing hospitalizations C.l
CIl
value of an occupational therapy Loss of family ll:
vices that reflect the reclassification groups. Most patients are young cian, and at times, occupational
of alcoholism as a disease and which through middle-aged adults and the therapy and counseling students.
emphasizes an approach of learn length of stay is 28 days. (When Each patient is assigned a counse
ing new skills is described next. third-party pavers reimburse for lor, a primary nurse, and is referred
The Alcoholism Treatment Unit full program is adapted to fit the tion, a psycho-drama consultant
The 12-bed alcoholism treatment shorter period.) The treatment team and yoga instructor provide services
unit at Mercy Hospital admits both consists of trained alcoholism once weekly.
male and female patients from a counselors and technicians, nurses, The unit's philosophy recognizes
38 January 1983,
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alcoholism as a chronic illness with improved physiological and emo viding opportunities for experi
its own symptomatology that affects tional state (24). menting with socially acceptable
all aspects of a person's lifeand also To achieve these objectives, a ways of expressing feelings are also
as a treatable illness of a complexity wide variet y of treatment modalities emphasized.
that requires a multidisciplinary are provided. Movies, seminars, and Evaluation. A self-image collage,
team for effective treatment. The discussion groups educate patients combined with an interview and
philosophy maintains that internal and family members about the goal-setting session, is the founda
patient's motivation is essential to disease. Group and individual tion of the occupational therapy
recovery and that a therapeutic counseling sessions provide oppor program. Although similar to other
mil iell of staff a nd pat ien ts provides tunities for the discussion of prob collage techniques (25-27), it is used
the best climate for learning the lems that occurred as a result of and interpreted differently. Patients
new behaviors that are necessary for dri nking and for deal ing with issues are instructed to use magazine pic
sobriety. Within this milieu, group that arise during treatment. The tures to describe themselves, focus
oriented experiences are utilized as opportunity to meet with former Ing on three are3S: personal
major facilitators of change. Sup patients and Alcoholics Anony strengths, personal weaknesses, and
port and involvement of significant mous volunteers and to attend the effect of drinking on their lives.
others is also considered necessary. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings l:pon completion, the collage is
The ongoing process of recovery helps to link what is learned in discussed individually, giving the
from alcoholism is best maintained, treatment with life outside the hos therapist an opportunity to get to
after treatment, through active par pital setting. know the patient, and to assist him
ticipation in the Alcoholics Anon The occupational therapist con or her in gaining self-awareness.
ymous program (24). tributes to the o\'erall treatment Patients who say "1 have no
The first objective of treatment is program by working with patients strengths" may be revealing low
to interrupt the drinking pattern to ach ieve specific obj eCI ives such as self-esteem. Some palil"nts do not
and facilitate commitment to per increasing socialization, im provi ng represent any of the three areas spec
manent sobriety. The second is to iIllerpersonaJ relations, and decreas ified and fill the collage with pic
surround the person \\lith the reality ing isolation. The therapist also lures of things they like or pictures
of the effects of his or her drinking. assists the patient to improve plan of 110\1" they would like their lives to
Family members, employers, and ningand problem solving, fine eye be Others select pictnres that do not
significant others are used to assist hand coordination, and memory. accurately reflect current life expe
\"'Ith this. The third objective is to (Tremulousness and memory loss riences. These patients may be hav
provide a therapeutic milieu to are exhibited primarily during ing difficulty looking at their lives,
develop greater ego strength detoxification but persist in some and at their alcoholism, so that
through the practice of new behav patients.) Occupational therapy breaking through denial will beone
iors and to improve confidence groups provide support and oppor of the first treatment goals. Thecol
through positive peer relation tunities for growth through facili lage elicits much useful informa
ships. Additional objectives include tating realistic perceptions of one's tion and stimulates meaningful dis
involving patients in group experi assets and limitations. Group ob cussion about the patient's prob
ences where they can learn about jectives include increasing self lems. It also provides useful infor
themselves and how they relate to esteem and learning frustration tol mation in planning treatment for
others, assisting patients and their erance and appropriate tension re that patient.
families to improve their commun lease. Developingan understanding After discussing the collage, the
ication, and assisting them in ob of how to plan and use leisure time patient and therapist set behavioral
taining a deeper understanding of is also addressed. For most patients goals for the hospitalization period.
the disease. Other objectives are to this time was previously spent The patient's participation in goal
help the person learn to identify drinking or in drinking-related ac setting helps to ensure an invest
daily problems and develop al terna tivities. Planning and use of spare ment in working on goals and pro
tive coping behaviors, to evaluate time is important for establishing vicks insight into what the patient
children of female patients for fetal permanent sobriety. Creating an expects to accomplish during treat
alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol awareness In patients that new ment. If the only goal identified is
effects, and to facilitate return to all behaviors can be learned and pro "tu stay sober forever," the patient
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Figure 2
Alcoholism Treatment Unit: Treatment Team
needs to learn that staying sober is sessmen ts are also part of the eval ua with the employer's assistance.) Un
an immense task that has to be tion process. Observing the patient employed patients who appear to
broken down into smaller steps. during recreational periods, and need assistance in finding work or
This could be achieved by working discussing avocational interests who need further training are re
with the patient on other tasks that with the aid of an Interest Checklist ferred to a vocational rehabilitation
have to be done step by step. The (28) give information about use of agency.
goal-selling exercise also indicates leisure time and the need for inter Therapeutic Use of Crafl Aclivi
the patient's motivation for work vention in this area. A leisure plan ties. Patients have many opportuni
ing in the treatment program. A ning assignment may be given to ties to demonstrate their willing
patient may set many goals for patients who demonstrate particu ness to participate in the treatment
treatment but if most of them are to lar difficulties in this area. For program. Resistance to one treat
be accomplished by staff, the pa unemployed patients, informal ob ment modality, which may indicate
tient may have an unrealistic view servation and interview are used to underlying resistance to the entire
of the personal effort required. Goal gain information about previous program, can surface when patients
selling helps patients to see that the work experience, task skills, social are asked to perform specific tasks.
treatment process is something the skills, dress and grooming, and While the patient works on craft
team assists them with, but that motivation for seeking employ activities, the therapeutic focus is
they have the responsibility for the ment (28). (Job problems related to on dealing with behaviors and atti
final outcome. drinking are dealt with by thecoun tudes that relate to the person's
Vocational and avocational as selor of employed patients, often alcoholism and sobriety program
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