|
 
ADDICTION
Alcoholism and Associated “Neuro-transmission Diseases”
Editor's
Introduction Dr Robert Lefever is regarded as one of the
leading experts in the treatment of addictive diseases. He is widely
published in the medical journals and is a regular contributor on the
BBC. He has had many years of experience at the front-line, treating
alcoholic and addicted patients. He established and ran the PROMIS
Recovery Centre and places particular concern on the family dynamic.
These articles
contain the essential information that anyone suffering from alcoholism
and other addictive tendencies or anyone affected by them should read.
They describe the approach adopted now by millions of patients
who have found that education is the essential element of their own
recovery.
“Denial is the basic psychopathology of addiction”.
As
Dr Lefever beautifully describes alcohol can be viewed
simply as an inappropriate form of self-medication. In other words, the
term ‘alcoholism’ describes the medicine and not the disease. By the
same logic, a sore throat would be called ‘penicillinism’. Although
abstinence from alcohol maybe required, this act alone will not treat
the more fundamental aspect of this neuro-transmission disease – as he
describes.
The successful treatment methods explained here are
not passive. It is not a case of a surgeon operating on a compliant
patient. Dr Lefever describes how a successful outcome is entirely
dependent on the patient being prepared to understand the nature of
their illness and then take certain steps for themselves. And this is
not easy because, as he says: “Those with a problem are also those who
are most determined to prove that they do not”.
These articles have
the potential to bring fresh hope for literally millions of people
affected by alcohol and other addictive substances, processes and
behaviours.
Diagnosing and Treating Addictive Illness The Modern Approach to Treating Alcoholism and Addiction
|
