Time and solid scientific research have only confirmed his conclusions. The beneficial effect of lowered total and LDL cholesterol levels on coronary health has been demonstrated clearly by Dr. David Blankenhorn at the University of Southern California, who showed that by marked reduction of blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease could be slowed, stopped, or even made to regress, and by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Lipid Research Clinic, which clearly demonstrated that every 1 percent drop in serum cholesterol led to a 2 percent decrease in the risk of heart disease. In perhaps the most famous long-term cholesterol study of all, conducted over a forty-year period in Framingham, Massachusetts, Dr. William Castelli has shown that the risk of heart attack begins to rise gradually at a total cholesterol level of 150, then increases more steeply as cholesterol exceeds 200. But, Dr. Castelli reports, during all the years of the Framingham study they have yet to see a heart attack in anyone with a cholesterol level below 150! The link between low cholesterol and coronary health has been taken even further in the work of Dr. Dean Ornish at the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco. Dr. Ornish has demonstrated that without the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, a program like the Pritikin program, consisting of a low-fat, low-sodium, low-cholesterol, and high-fiber eating plan, moderate exercise, life-style management, and cessation of smoking, not only can halt but can actually reverse the atherosclerotic effects of coronary heart disease.
It’s now overwhelmingly clear that one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease is elevated blood cholesterol. Controlling your dietary cholesterol and saturated-fat intake is the most effective way to reduce this risk, but other factors – smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and not exercising regularly – can pose major threats to your health as well. While people who have safe levels of serum cholesterol are clearly in far less danger – even if they smoke, pay no attention to the signs of high blood pressure, and forgo exercise for a sedentary life-style – it is critical to acknowledge that smoking, high blood pressure, and a sedentary life-style are still dangerous and can greatly increase your chances of dying from a stroke, cancer, or other serious disease.
*5/345/5*
For your self-testing to be as accurate as possible, you must first rid your body of (or greatly reduce) the residue of all the arthritis-provoking food offenders you have been eating during the past few months. In most instances these will be the same foods that you have been eating for many years. Clearing your system of clinically important residues of the specific food allergens that have been causing chronic or recurrent arthritic reactions in your joints and muscles will result in certain bodily changes. These internal changes will make it possible for you to provoke acute flare-ups of your chronic arthritis by means of a series of self-administered Rinkel deliberate food (feeding) tests (DFTs) that are of great diagnostic value.
Dr. Herbert Rinkel, one of the pioneering allergists whose many research findings helped establish the field of clinical ecology, observed that if an allergenic food causing chronic symptoms is eliminated from the diet for a period of time ranging from four to twelve days or longer (up to eighteen to twenty-one days in some individuals), a patient will become highly sensitive (hyperreactive) to that food during the elimination period after the fourth day and will remain so up to two or three weeks thereafter. When it is reintroduced to the diet during the hyperreactive state, it will cause an acute, diagnostically important flare-up of the familiar chronic symptoms that were previously caused by the offending food.
During the process of digestion the foods you eat are broken down into their basic chemical components, which may be used immediately, may be stored in cells throughout your body, and/or may remain in the blood or the extracellular fluid that surrounds body cells. Clinical experience has shown that it usually takes four to five days or longer for the body’s natural biochemical processes (metabolism) to break down or excrete the unused or unneeded fractions of those stored, food-derived basic chemicals, either removing them from the system or bringing them well below the allergic threshold level.
The Food Elimination Diet accomplishes its objective because, as we clinical ecologists have found, a group of commonly eaten foods – which are included in almost every diet – are among the most important causes of the many kinds of internal allergic disorders.
The most frequently identified food offenders – the most often consumed, illness-causing foods – are: wheat and other members of the grass family such as corn, oats, rye, rice, and cane sugar. The other major offenders are milk, eggs, beef, yeast, soy, chicken, pork, apples, green beans, oranges, bananas, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, peanuts, coffee, tea, and chocolate (cocoa).
By having you follow a diet that omits all the aforementioned foods and consists of only those foods that are not eaten as often, you are much less likely to have the allergic joint and muscle reactions of arthritis. Reactions will be even less likely if these uncommon foods are eaten in a carefully planned rotation (rotary) diet that prevents a reaction-evoking buildup of any potential dietary offender in your system.
In order to prevent any error on your part, let us review the basic principles of this stage of your self-help program. You will start by eliminating those common foods to which you may be allergic because they have been eaten too frequently for many years. In addition, you will also eliminate all or most of the other possible illness evoking foods, because of your personal food habits and your observations regarding their known or suspected effects on your health. The Food Elimination Diet automatically eliminates many active, probable, and potential arthritis-evoking allergens.
The dietary rotation of less frequently consumed foods rapidly frees the system of the residual effects of previous meals that contained the more frequently ingested foods that were, in all probability, causing allergic joint reactions.
It is possible for you to get away with it for a while by eating in an unplanned manner. However, avoid an unnecessary waste of time and effort – and possible disappointment – by carefully following a rotary diversified diet that eliminates or at least greatly reduces the possibility of poor or fair results that often come from easily preventable cumulative reactions. The buildup of illness-evoking components present in arthritis-causing foods is controlled by ingesting potential offenders on a schedule that permits the body to recover from the initial presymptom effects of a given food before it is eaten again. You must eat the uncommon foods in a well-planned rotation that preserves your existing tolerance to these foods (and also prevents the symptoms that would have come from the ingestion of common food offenders) by employing the Rinkel Rotary Diversified Diet technique.
All you have to do is eat three different, unspiced, unfavored (except for the use of sea salt) single-food meals each day, with a different food at every meal. The foods eaten each day should be carefully selected and arranged from different food families in a way that prevents the buildup of a family-specific substance that may be present in the different members of a closely related group of foods. Cumulative reactions of this type are usually avoided by alternate-day spacing of exposures to food-family members like orange and grapefruit, carrot and celery, apple and pear, and so on. The five-, six-, or seven-day cycle of every rotation diet should be repeated several times with each new selection of foods, making it possible for you to record and recheck your observations of the reproducible effects of individual foods. The foods are eaten in a controlled manner, following a period of avoidance that unmasks food addiction and provokes familiar symptoms that clearly demonstrate the casual relationship of these dietary factors in your arthritis (as well as any other allergy-related health problems you may have).
*17/295/5*
LIFETIME ARTHRITIS RELIEF SYSTEM: FREEING FROM ARTHRITIS-CAUSING SUBSTANCESFor your self-testing to be as accurate as possible, you must first rid your body of (or greatly reduce) the residue of all the arthritis-provoking food offenders you have been eating during the past few months. In most instances these will be the same foods that you have been eating for many years. Clearing your system of clinically important residues of the specific food allergens that have been causing chronic or recurrent arthritic reactions in your joints and muscles will result in certain bodily changes. These internal changes will make it possible for you to provoke acute flare-ups of your chronic arthritis by means of a series of self-administered Rinkel deliberate food (feeding) tests (DFTs) that are of great diagnostic value.Dr. Herbert Rinkel, one of the pioneering allergists whose many research findings helped establish the field of clinical ecology, observed that if an allergenic food causing chronic symptoms is eliminated from the diet for a period of time ranging from four to twelve days or longer (up to eighteen to twenty-one days in some individuals), a patient will become highly sensitive (hyperreactive) to that food during the elimination period after the fourth day and will remain so up to two or three weeks thereafter. When it is reintroduced to the diet during the hyperreactive state, it will cause an acute, diagnostically important flare-up of the familiar chronic symptoms that were previously caused by the offending food.During the process of digestion the foods you eat are broken down into their basic chemical components, which may be used immediately, may be stored in cells throughout your body, and/or may remain in the blood or the extracellular fluid that surrounds body cells. Clinical experience has shown that it usually takes four to five days or longer for the body’s natural biochemical processes (metabolism) to break down or excrete the unused or unneeded fractions of those stored, food-derived basic chemicals, either removing them from the system or bringing them well below the allergic threshold level.The Food Elimination Diet accomplishes its objective because, as we clinical ecologists have found, a group of commonly eaten foods – which are included in almost every diet – are among the most important causes of the many kinds of internal allergic disorders.The most frequently identified food offenders – the most often consumed, illness-causing foods – are: wheat and other members of the grass family such as corn, oats, rye, rice, and cane sugar. The other major offenders are milk, eggs, beef, yeast, soy, chicken, pork, apples, green beans, oranges, bananas, potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, peanuts, coffee, tea, and chocolate (cocoa).By having you follow a diet that omits all the aforementioned foods and consists of only those foods that are not eaten as often, you are much less likely to have the allergic joint and muscle reactions of arthritis. Reactions will be even less likely if these uncommon foods are eaten in a carefully planned rotation (rotary) diet that prevents a reaction-evoking buildup of any potential dietary offender in your system.In order to prevent any error on your part, let us review the basic principles of this stage of your self-help program. You will start by eliminating those common foods to which you may be allergic because they have been eaten too frequently for many years. In addition, you will also eliminate all or most of the other possible illness evoking foods, because of your personal food habits and your observations regarding their known or suspected effects on your health. The Food Elimination Diet automatically eliminates many active, probable, and potential arthritis-evoking allergens.The dietary rotation of less frequently consumed foods rapidly frees the system of the residual effects of previous meals that contained the more frequently ingested foods that were, in all probability, causing allergic joint reactions.It is possible for you to get away with it for a while by eating in an unplanned manner. However, avoid an unnecessary waste of time and effort – and possible disappointment – by carefully following a rotary diversified diet that eliminates or at least greatly reduces the possibility of poor or fair results that often come from easily preventable cumulative reactions. The buildup of illness-evoking components present in arthritis-causing foods is controlled by ingesting potential offenders on a schedule that permits the body to recover from the initial presymptom effects of a given food before it is eaten again. You must eat the uncommon foods in a well-planned rotation that preserves your existing tolerance to these foods (and also prevents the symptoms that would have come from the ingestion of common food offenders) by employing the Rinkel Rotary Diversified Diet technique.All you have to do is eat three different, unspiced, unfavored (except for the use of sea salt) single-food meals each day, with a different food at every meal. The foods eaten each day should be carefully selected and arranged from different food families in a way that prevents the buildup of a family-specific substance that may be present in the different members of a closely related group of foods. Cumulative reactions of this type are usually avoided by alternate-day spacing of exposures to food-family members like orange and grapefruit, carrot and celery, apple and pear, and so on. The five-, six-, or seven-day cycle of every rotation diet should be repeated several times with each new selection of foods, making it possible for you to record and recheck your observations of the reproducible effects of individual foods. The foods are eaten in a controlled manner, following a period of avoidance that unmasks food addiction and provokes familiar symptoms that clearly demonstrate the casual relationship of these dietary factors in your arthritis (as well as any other allergy-related health problems you may have).*17/295/5*
The use of anti-cholinergic drugs grew out of herbal medicine. Dlwtura and allied herbs have been smoked as burning powder in India since ancient times. The efficacy of anticholinergic drugs in reversing
bronchoconstriction has been re-established in recent years. Newer compounds like ipratropium bromide dilate airways effectively and have almost no significant adverse effects in therapeutic doses.
Benefits of a combined anticholinergic and beta-adrenergic drugs therapy.
1. Increase in the duration of action of one nebulized treatment;
2. fewer adverse effects as each drug is used in lower concentration than in single drug therapy; and
3. greater bronchodilator effect than when either drug is used alone in maximal dosage.
*67\260\8*
COMBATTING ASTHMA IN CHILDREN: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS – STEROIDS: BRONCHODILATORY DRUGS – ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGSThe use of anti-cholinergic drugs grew out of herbal medicine. Dlwtura and allied herbs have been smoked as burning powder in India since ancient times. The efficacy of anticholinergic drugs in reversingbronchoconstriction has been re-established in recent years. Newer compounds like ipratropium bromide dilate airways effectively and have almost no significant adverse effects in therapeutic doses.Benefits of a combined anticholinergic and beta-adrenergic drugs therapy.1. Increase in the duration of action of one nebulized treatment;2. fewer adverse effects as each drug is used in lower concentration than in single drug therapy; and3. greater bronchodilator effect than when either drug is used alone in maximal dosage.*67\260\8*
People with diabetes who keep an eye on themselves and use some common sense are no more likely to get ill abroad than anyone else. However, a little forward planning is prudent. Before going away, take out travel insurance. Make sure that it is the type that will cover hospital and medical expenses in the country you are visiting and that if necessary it will cover the cost of your being flown home with a medical escort. If you are planning to spend a long time in a foreign country your doctor may be able to give you the name of a local diabetologist (the International Diabetes Federation has members in virtually every country in the world).
It may be useful to carry with you a letter summarizing your medical condition and medication. If you need medical help, try to find a doctor who speaks your language and make certain that he knows that you are diabetic and that you need insulin or tablets (hang on to your personal supply in case the doctor or hospital do not have that brand, and ask what dose to take). If you get very ill in a remote part of the world it may be better to be flown home, assuming that the pressure changes of air travel are not hazardous for your condition.
*114/102/5*
ILLNESS DURING TRAVELS OF PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
People with diabetes who keep an eye on themselves and use some common sense are no more likely to get ill abroad than anyone else. However, a little forward planning is prudent. Before going away, take out travel insurance. Make sure that it is the type that will cover hospital and medical expenses in the country you are visiting and that if necessary it will cover the cost of your being flown home with a medical escort. If you are planning to spend a long time in a foreign country your doctor may be able to give you the name of a local diabetologist (the International Diabetes Federation has members in virtually every country in the world).It may be useful to carry with you a letter summarizing your medical condition and medication. If you need medical help, try to find a doctor who speaks your language and make certain that he knows that you are diabetic and that you need insulin or tablets (hang on to your personal supply in case the doctor or hospital do not have that brand, and ask what dose to take). If you get very ill in a remote part of the world it may be better to be flown home, assuming that the pressure changes of air travel are not hazardous for your condition.
*114/102/5*
Hearty Laughter
Where active exercise involving the arms is found difficult, the important effect of movement within the rib-cage may be produced by milder effort. Perhaps scarcely seeming to be an exertion at all, deep laughter brings quite powerful tugging movements to the ribs. If the company — or anything on TV, radio or in a book — gives an excuse for full laughter, indulge yourself. The beneficial effects operate in more than one fashion. Should no such opportunity present itself, silent mime with the same movement of chest and throat will produce similar physical results.
Help from Another
Not infrequently, cardiac distress may be due at least in part to abnormalities of tension or alignment in the spinal column. Accidental injury is probably the commonest cause, but prolonged faulty working posture can also be a major factor: By their influence upon nerves passing through the areas involved, these lesions may have a marked effect upon cardiac function. Their correction is rarely possible by simple home treatment, and is properly the domain of the skilled manipulator. Even so, such attention is rendered considerably more effective when the patient co-operates fully; this means both laying a proper foundation by initiating a sensible regimen of diet, exercise and other preliminaries, and accepting the need for continued self-effort to provide beneficial conditions and avoid stress-producing situations.
*79\253\8*
HEART DISEASE: EXERCISE FOR HOME TREATMENT – HEARTY LAUGHTER AND HELP FROM ANOTHERHearty Laughter Where active exercise involving the arms is found difficult, the important effect of movement within the rib-cage may be produced by milder effort. Perhaps scarcely seeming to be an exertion at all, deep laughter brings quite powerful tugging movements to the ribs. If the company — or anything on TV, radio or in a book — gives an excuse for full laughter, indulge yourself. The beneficial effects operate in more than one fashion. Should no such opportunity present itself, silent mime with the same movement of chest and throat will produce similar physical results.Help from AnotherNot infrequently, cardiac distress may be due at least in part to abnormalities of tension or alignment in the spinal column. Accidental injury is probably the commonest cause, but prolonged faulty working posture can also be a major factor: By their influence upon nerves passing through the areas involved, these lesions may have a marked effect upon cardiac function. Their correction is rarely possible by simple home treatment, and is properly the domain of the skilled manipulator. Even so, such attention is rendered considerably more effective when the patient co-operates fully; this means both laying a proper foundation by initiating a sensible regimen of diet, exercise and other preliminaries, and accepting the need for continued self-effort to provide beneficial conditions and avoid stress-producing situations.*79\253\8*
The first, and the majority, of the following measures are expressed in positive terms – in other words, how to add more ‘good’ things into your regime. The theory behind this is that, if you do these things, you will automatically crowd out the negative factors, as there is less room or time for them. Inevitably there will be a few ‘don’ts’ as well as ‘do’s', but my hope is that by the time you get to the ‘don’ts’ you will find that you have, at the very least, reduced them in number and significance. It is difficult to find an order of priority as all the measures will have a synergistic effect, raising your level of health and fitness, and helping you to avoid or recover from breast cancer.
It is probably asking a bit much of yourself to become an overnight convert to new eating habits, and you will find some measures easier than others. I suggest that you tick the ones you are taking already, and then aim to introduce one new measure every so often until you have worked through the list. You may need to re-read this section at intervals as a sort of stock-check to make sure that you are not slipping back into old habits. If you find the changes stressful or complicated, re-examine how you are tackling them. Are you trying to do too much in one go? Are you well prepared and organized – for example, with your store cupboard, shopping and food preparation? Do you have the support of your family? Is your work environment conducive to adopting these measures, and if not how can you overcome the drawbacks?
If you do not like a particular measure – you may hate fish or tofu – I have given ideas on how to compensate by putting in alternatives and easy tips. Good luck with making these positive changes, and enjoy the process!
*126\240\2*
YOUR BASIC NUTRITION PLANThe first, and the majority, of the following measures are expressed in positive terms – in other words, how to add more ‘good’ things into your regime. The theory behind this is that, if you do these things, you will automatically crowd out the negative factors, as there is less room or time for them. Inevitably there will be a few ‘don’ts’ as well as ‘do’s', but my hope is that by the time you get to the ‘don’ts’ you will find that you have, at the very least, reduced them in number and significance. It is difficult to find an order of priority as all the measures will have a synergistic effect, raising your level of health and fitness, and helping you to avoid or recover from breast cancer. It is probably asking a bit much of yourself to become an overnight convert to new eating habits, and you will find some measures easier than others. I suggest that you tick the ones you are taking already, and then aim to introduce one new measure every so often until you have worked through the list. You may need to re-read this section at intervals as a sort of stock-check to make sure that you are not slipping back into old habits. If you find the changes stressful or complicated, re-examine how you are tackling them. Are you trying to do too much in one go? Are you well prepared and organized – for example, with your store cupboard, shopping and food preparation? Do you have the support of your family? Is your work environment conducive to adopting these measures, and if not how can you overcome the drawbacks? If you do not like a particular measure – you may hate fish or tofu – I have given ideas on how to compensate by putting in alternatives and easy tips. Good luck with making these positive changes, and enjoy the process!*126\240\2*
Another European physician, a Frenchman named Ambroise Pare, was also intensely interested in arthritis. And he shared some of the views of his contemporary, Paracelsus.
Both believed that the body of an arthritic needed special help from the liver. Since they were of the yellow and black bile school, they felt that the liver must remain unobstructed to prevent defects in the uric acid metabolism.
Ambroise Pare was perfectly right about the liver being important. But on his next idea, Ambroise Pare” was dead wrong.
Pare was of the opinion that colour-complex is also responsible for arthritis. A dark-complexioned person, he said, was a born arthritic. That is ridiculous! Red-heads, blondes, or albinos have an equal chance of becoming arthritic. The bloodstreams and digestive juices in people with dark complexions work in precisely the same manner— in regard to fats and oils—as those of people with light colouring.
Haemorrhoidal Bleeding
In many countries, many centuries ago, haemorrhoidal bleeding was considered a cure. It was an attempt to rid the body of all noxious abdominal fluids.
Today if we were to induce haemorrhoids to prevent arthritis, it would be a useless crime.
They did Their Best
Should we condemn all counter-irritation measures?
We know that counter-irritation does not improve the quality of the bloodstream from the point of view of blood chemistry. But ancient physicians did obtain relief from some diseases by ridding the body of its detrimental fluids. And, even today, an arthritic coming into a hospital is thoroughly checked for excessive red blood cells and haemoglobin—rather than for “fullness of blood” as the ancients called it.
*56\146\2*
FALSE REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS: A CONTRIBUTION FROM FRANCEAnother European physician, a Frenchman named Ambroise Pare, was also intensely interested in arthritis. And he shared some of the views of his contemporary, Paracelsus.Both believed that the body of an arthritic needed special help from the liver. Since they were of the yellow and black bile school, they felt that the liver must remain unobstructed to prevent defects in the uric acid metabolism.Ambroise Pare was perfectly right about the liver being important. But on his next idea, Ambroise Pare” was dead wrong.Pare was of the opinion that colour-complex is also responsible for arthritis. A dark-complexioned person, he said, was a born arthritic. That is ridiculous! Red-heads, blondes, or albinos have an equal chance of becoming arthritic. The bloodstreams and digestive juices in people with dark complexions work in precisely the same manner— in regard to fats and oils—as those of people with light colouring.Haemorrhoidal BleedingIn many countries, many centuries ago, haemorrhoidal bleeding was considered a cure. It was an attempt to rid the body of all noxious abdominal fluids.Today if we were to induce haemorrhoids to prevent arthritis, it would be a useless crime.They did Their BestShould we condemn all counter-irritation measures?We know that counter-irritation does not improve the quality of the bloodstream from the point of view of blood chemistry. But ancient physicians did obtain relief from some diseases by ridding the body of its detrimental fluids. And, even today, an arthritic coming into a hospital is thoroughly checked for excessive red blood cells and haemoglobin—rather than for “fullness of blood” as the ancients called it.*56\146\2*
Q: How can I find an ADHD specialist in my area?
A: The best place to start is with your child’s pediatrician. If he’s not well versed in the management of ADHD himself, he may be able to put you in touch with a qualified child psychiatrist or other ADHD expert. Another option is to contact one of the many support groups and referral organizations listed in the back of this book. It’s their job to put the parents of ADHD children in touch with specialists who can help them.
If you live near a large medical school with a department of psychiatry, call and ask for a recommendation. Or consider a central agency, such as the American Psychiatric Association or the Academy of Child Psychiatry, for a local referral.
However, keep in mind that if you have insurance, your carrier may require a referral from your primary physician before it will pay for treatment by a specialist.
*92\173\2*
HOW TO FIND AN ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER) SPECIALIST IN MY AREAQ: How can I find an ADHD specialist in my area?A: The best place to start is with your child’s pediatrician. If he’s not well versed in the management of ADHD himself, he may be able to put you in touch with a qualified child psychiatrist or other ADHD expert. Another option is to contact one of the many support groups and referral organizations listed in the back of this book. It’s their job to put the parents of ADHD children in touch with specialists who can help them.If you live near a large medical school with a department of psychiatry, call and ask for a recommendation. Or consider a central agency, such as the American Psychiatric Association or the Academy of Child Psychiatry, for a local referral.However, keep in mind that if you have insurance, your carrier may require a referral from your primary physician before it will pay for treatment by a specialist.*92\173\2*
There is increasing effort to educate and inform clergy members about alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The focus of the effort is to equip pastors, priests, rabbis, ministers, and chaplains who come into contact with alcoholics or their families to assist in early identification and help get the alcoholic into treatment. Presumably the merits of this effort are self-evident. There is plenty of room in the alcohol field for many different kinds of care providers. This section on spiritual counseling is not about this educational outreach to clergy members. Instead, we wish to discuss the contribution that clergy members, priests, or rabbis may make to the recovery process in their pastoral roles.
Alcoholics may have a need for pastoring, “shepherding,” or spiritual counseling, as do other members of the population. In fact, their needs in this area may be especially acute. Attention to these needs may play a critical part in the recovery process.
It is not easy to discuss spiritual matters. Medical, social work, psychology, or rehabilitation textbooks do not include chapters on spiritual issues as they affect prospective clients and patients. The split between spirituality and the “rest of life” has been total. In our society, that means for many it has become an either/or choice. Because defining crisply what we mean by spiritual issues is not easy, let us begin by stating what it is not. By spiritual we do not mean the organized religions and churches. Religions can be thought of as organized groups and institutions that have arisen to meet spiritual needs. The spiritual concern is more basic than religion, however. In our view, the fact that civilizations have developed religions throughout history is evidence of a spiritual side to human beings.
There are also experiences, difficult to describe, that hint at another dimension different from but as real as our physical nature. They might be called “intimations of immortality,” and they occur among sufficient numbers of people to give more evidence for the spiritual nature of humankind.
In a variety of ways we can see an awakened interest in spiritual concerns in contemporary America. Whether it is transcendental meditation, Zen Buddhism, Indian gurus, Jesus “freaks,” the “Moonies,” mysticism, the Moral Majority, or the more traditional Judeo-Christian Western religions, people are flocking in. They are attempting to follow these teachings and precepts, with the hope that they will fill a void in their lives. It is being recognized that “making it,” in terms of status, education, career, or material wealth, can still leave someone feeling there is something missing. This “something” is thought by many to be of a spiritual nature. This missing piece has even been described as a “God-shaped hole.”
Alcoholism as spiritual search
How does this fit in with alcohol and alcoholism? First, it is worth reflecting on the fact that the very word most commonly used for alcohol is “spirits.” This is surely no accident. Indeed, consider how alcohol is used. It is often used in the hope it will provide that missing something or at least turn off the gnawing ache. From bottled spirits, a drinker may seek a solution to life’s problems, a release from pain, an escape from circumstances. For awhile it may do the job; but eventually it fails. To use spiritual language, you can even think of alcoholism as a pilgrimage that dead-ends. Alcohol is a false god. To use the words of the New Testament, it is not “living water.”
If this is the case, and alcohol use has been in part prompted by spiritual thirst, the thirst remains when the alcoholic sobers up. Part of the recovery process must be aimed at quenching the thirst. Alcoholics Anonymous has recognized this fact. It speaks of alcoholism as a threefold disease, with physical, mental, and spiritual components. Part of the AA program is intended to help members by focusing on their spiritual needs. It is also worth noting that AA makes a clear distinction between spiritual growth and religion.
Clergy assistance
How can the clergy be of assistance? Ideally, the clergy are people within society who are the “experts” on spiritual matters. (Notice we say ideally.) In real life, clergy are human beings, too. The realities of religious institutions may have forced some to be fund raisers, social directors, community consciences, almost everything but spiritual mentors. Yet there are those out there who do, and maybe many more who long to, act as spiritual counselors and advisors. One way the clergy may be of potential assistance is to help the alcoholic deal with “sin” and feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Many alcoholics, along with the public at large, are walking around as adults with virtually the same notions of God they had as 5-year-olds. He has a white beard, sits on a throne on a cloud, checks up on everything you do, and is out to get you if you aren’t “good.” This is certainly a caricature but also probably very close to the way most people really feel if they think about it. The alcoholic getting sober feels remorseful, guilt-ridden, worthless, endowed with a host of negative qualities, and devoid of good. In his mind, he certainly does not fit the picture of someone God would like to befriend or hang around with. On the contrary, he probably feels that if God isn’t punishing him, He ought to be! So the alcoholic may need some real assistance in updating his concept of God. There’s a good chance some of his ideas will have to be revised. There’s the idea that the church, and therefore (to him) God, is only for the “good” people. A glance at the New Testament and Christian traditions doesn’t support this view, even if some parishes or congregations act that way. Jesus of Nazareth didn’t exactly travel with the smart social set. He was found in the company of fishermen, prostitutes, lepers, and tax collectors! Whether a new perspective on God or a Higher Power leads to reinvolvement with a church, assists in affiliation with AA, or helps lessen the burden of guilt doesn’t matter. Whichever it does, it is potentially a key factor in recovery. Again, to use spiritual language, recovery from alcoholism involves a “conversion experience.” The meaning of conversion is very simple: “to turn around” or “to transform.” Contrasting the sober life to the alcoholic’s drinking days certainly testifies to such a transformation. A conversion experience doesn’t necessarily imply blinding lights, visions, or a dramatic turning point, although it might. Indeed, if it does involve a startling experience of some nature, the sober alcoholic will need some substantial aid in dealing with and understanding this experience.
*138\331\2*
ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT TECHNIQUES: SPIRITUAL COUNSELINGThere is increasing effort to educate and inform clergy members about alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The focus of the effort is to equip pastors, priests, rabbis, ministers, and chaplains who come into contact with alcoholics or their families to assist in early identification and help get the alcoholic into treatment. Presumably the merits of this effort are self-evident. There is plenty of room in the alcohol field for many different kinds of care providers. This section on spiritual counseling is not about this educational outreach to clergy members. Instead, we wish to discuss the contribution that clergy members, priests, or rabbis may make to the recovery process in their pastoral roles.Alcoholics may have a need for pastoring, “shepherding,” or spiritual counseling, as do other members of the population. In fact, their needs in this area may be especially acute. Attention to these needs may play a critical part in the recovery process.It is not easy to discuss spiritual matters. Medical, social work, psychology, or rehabilitation textbooks do not include chapters on spiritual issues as they affect prospective clients and patients. The split between spirituality and the “rest of life” has been total. In our society, that means for many it has become an either/or choice. Because defining crisply what we mean by spiritual issues is not easy, let us begin by stating what it is not. By spiritual we do not mean the organized religions and churches. Religions can be thought of as organized groups and institutions that have arisen to meet spiritual needs. The spiritual concern is more basic than religion, however. In our view, the fact that civilizations have developed religions throughout history is evidence of a spiritual side to human beings.There are also experiences, difficult to describe, that hint at another dimension different from but as real as our physical nature. They might be called “intimations of immortality,” and they occur among sufficient numbers of people to give more evidence for the spiritual nature of humankind.In a variety of ways we can see an awakened interest in spiritual concerns in contemporary America. Whether it is transcendental meditation, Zen Buddhism, Indian gurus, Jesus “freaks,” the “Moonies,” mysticism, the Moral Majority, or the more traditional Judeo-Christian Western religions, people are flocking in. They are attempting to follow these teachings and precepts, with the hope that they will fill a void in their lives. It is being recognized that “making it,” in terms of status, education, career, or material wealth, can still leave someone feeling there is something missing. This “something” is thought by many to be of a spiritual nature. This missing piece has even been described as a “God-shaped hole.”Alcoholism as spiritual searchHow does this fit in with alcohol and alcoholism? First, it is worth reflecting on the fact that the very word most commonly used for alcohol is “spirits.” This is surely no accident. Indeed, consider how alcohol is used. It is often used in the hope it will provide that missing something or at least turn off the gnawing ache. From bottled spirits, a drinker may seek a solution to life’s problems, a release from pain, an escape from circumstances. For awhile it may do the job; but eventually it fails. To use spiritual language, you can even think of alcoholism as a pilgrimage that dead-ends. Alcohol is a false god. To use the words of the New Testament, it is not “living water.”If this is the case, and alcohol use has been in part prompted by spiritual thirst, the thirst remains when the alcoholic sobers up. Part of the recovery process must be aimed at quenching the thirst. Alcoholics Anonymous has recognized this fact. It speaks of alcoholism as a threefold disease, with physical, mental, and spiritual components. Part of the AA program is intended to help members by focusing on their spiritual needs. It is also worth noting that AA makes a clear distinction between spiritual growth and religion.Clergy assistanceHow can the clergy be of assistance? Ideally, the clergy are people within society who are the “experts” on spiritual matters. (Notice we say ideally.) In real life, clergy are human beings, too. The realities of religious institutions may have forced some to be fund raisers, social directors, community consciences, almost everything but spiritual mentors. Yet there are those out there who do, and maybe many more who long to, act as spiritual counselors and advisors. One way the clergy may be of potential assistance is to help the alcoholic deal with “sin” and feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Many alcoholics, along with the public at large, are walking around as adults with virtually the same notions of God they had as 5-year-olds. He has a white beard, sits on a throne on a cloud, checks up on everything you do, and is out to get you if you aren’t “good.” This is certainly a caricature but also probably very close to the way most people really feel if they think about it. The alcoholic getting sober feels remorseful, guilt-ridden, worthless, endowed with a host of negative qualities, and devoid of good. In his mind, he certainly does not fit the picture of someone God would like to befriend or hang around with. On the contrary, he probably feels that if God isn’t punishing him, He ought to be! So the alcoholic may need some real assistance in updating his concept of God. There’s a good chance some of his ideas will have to be revised. There’s the idea that the church, and therefore (to him) God, is only for the “good” people. A glance at the New Testament and Christian traditions doesn’t support this view, even if some parishes or congregations act that way. Jesus of Nazareth didn’t exactly travel with the smart social set. He was found in the company of fishermen, prostitutes, lepers, and tax collectors! Whether a new perspective on God or a Higher Power leads to reinvolvement with a church, assists in affiliation with AA, or helps lessen the burden of guilt doesn’t matter. Whichever it does, it is potentially a key factor in recovery. Again, to use spiritual language, recovery from alcoholism involves a “conversion experience.” The meaning of conversion is very simple: “to turn around” or “to transform.” Contrasting the sober life to the alcoholic’s drinking days certainly testifies to such a transformation. A conversion experience doesn’t necessarily imply blinding lights, visions, or a dramatic turning point, although it might. Indeed, if it does involve a startling experience of some nature, the sober alcoholic will need some substantial aid in dealing with and understanding this experience.*138\331\2*
Stuart is a gallery director who developed asthma in his early 30s.
Even though I did not develop any real asthma symptoms until about 12 years ago, I do remember getting a lot more puffed out than any of my school contemporaries during sporting activities. I also remember that I always seemed to cough a lot more than most of the people I knew.
I first noticed that I had started to wheeze regularly when I had drunk red wine. Then the wheezing became worse and worse. I went to the doctor, who diagnosed asthma. I keep it fairly well under control with medication and by taking care of my general health. If I get over-tired, I get asthma.
Another trigger for me is getting too hot or too cold. I find that I function best in moderate, even temperatures. But the fatigue issue can be a real problem for me, as I lead a very busy professional life between the Melbourne and Sydney galleries. I have found that the thing is to recognize when the body is tired and to know when to say, ‘enough’. I have a blanket in my office and if I need a quick rest during the day, I get under it and have a sleep. When I have enough rest, I can usually keep my asthma under control.
My advice to even mild asthmatics is to avoid getting over-tired. I think you are much more vulnerable to infection and asthma if you let yourself get run down.
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ASTHMA CASE HISTORIES: ASTHMA AND FATIGUEStuart is a gallery director who developed asthma in his early 30s.Even though I did not develop any real asthma symptoms until about 12 years ago, I do remember getting a lot more puffed out than any of my school contemporaries during sporting activities. I also remember that I always seemed to cough a lot more than most of the people I knew.I first noticed that I had started to wheeze regularly when I had drunk red wine. Then the wheezing became worse and worse. I went to the doctor, who diagnosed asthma. I keep it fairly well under control with medication and by taking care of my general health. If I get over-tired, I get asthma.Another trigger for me is getting too hot or too cold. I find that I function best in moderate, even temperatures. But the fatigue issue can be a real problem for me, as I lead a very busy professional life between the Melbourne and Sydney galleries. I have found that the thing is to recognize when the body is tired and to know when to say, ‘enough’. I have a blanket in my office and if I need a quick rest during the day, I get under it and have a sleep. When I have enough rest, I can usually keep my asthma under control.My advice to even mild asthmatics is to avoid getting over-tired. I think you are much more vulnerable to infection and asthma if you let yourself get run down.*60\148\2*
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