Are Vice President Cheney and President Bush alcoholics? Do we know the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism?
Bush has identified himself as an alcoholic and claims he had a religious cure after consulting Dobson. He has never been in any treatment that we know of. Cheney and Bush have both been arrested and convicted for DUI's, but does this make them alcoholics?
After reading the various diaries here and on other blogs, I have noticed a lack of information and knowledge with regard to what we currently know now about alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and the stages of alcoholism. Take a look at this information and then you can decide if Bush and Cheney fit the profile.
Alcoholism abuse can be defined as this:
Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism in that it does not include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence. Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:
* Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities;
* Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery;
* Having recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk; and
* Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the drinking.
Although alcohol abuse is basically different from alcoholism, many effects of alcohol abuse are also experienced by alcoholics.
How can you tell whether you may have a drinking problem? Answering the following four questions can help you find out:
* Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
* Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
* Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
* Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (as an "eye opener") to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you answered "yes" to more than one question, it is highly likely that a problem exists. In either case, it is important that you see your doctor or other health care provider right away to discuss your answers to these questions. He or she can help you determine whether you have a drinking problem and, if so, recommend the best course of action.
Even if you answered "no" to all of the above questions, if you encounter drinking-related problems with your job, relationships, health, or the law, you should seek professional help. The effects of alcohol abuse can be extremely serious-even fatal-both to you and to others.
alcohol facts here
Alcohol abuse can cause brain damage and effect judgment:
Harris said the researchers studied the superior frontal cortex of the brain, a crucial area involving judgment and decision-making. He said these are "tasks that are corrupted in addiction. Just as a computer virus can change the programming of specific functions, our data show that chronic alcohol abuse can change the molecular programming and circuitry of the frontal cortex."
brain damage
The development of alcoholism comes in stages. There is defined early, middle, and late stages alcoholism.
Here is a self test for alcoholism that will identify what stage one is at.
stages
Hopefully this information will help in the discussion regarding the current situation Cheney is in. He and those around him are behaving in a typical way that is found in families or organizational systems dealing with an alcoholic. We are seeing blaming, minimization, secretiveness, law breaking, charming manipulations, denial, breaking of promises, sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, etc...
It is my opinion that we as a nation need to be informed and alert to the signs and symptoms of alcoholism and addiction. As a nation we can no longer afford to elect any leader in any party who is an active alcoholic or addict. Recovering alcoholics who have embraced treatment and are not denying their addiction are very capable people.