Public Definitions of the Alcoholic

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Abstract
Following the assumption that as people think so they act, this study has investigated certain plans of action and other thoughts about the alcoholic held by a sample of 1185 adult Iowans. Responses to a series of questions concerning definitions of the alcoholic, personal acquaintance with an alcoholic, and plans of action to cope with a drinking problem were analyzed. Confidence in the responses was enhanced by their high degree of comparability with the responses of a subsample of respondents who reported a current drinking problem in the home. Subjects were evenly divided as to whether the alcoholic is best described as sick or morally weak, as they were on the question of whether a drinking problem would be discussed with friends. Definitions of the alcoholic did not differ by sex or residence but the medical view was most prevalent among the more educated, the middle-age group, and Catholics. Only 12% said they were prepared to go outside the family for help with a drinking problem, but if help were sought the most popular first choice was the family physician; if further help was advised, a large majority favored Alcoholics Anonymous. Respondents who defined the alcoholic in medical rather than moral terms showed a different pattern of plans of action to cope with a drinking problem. Those holding the medical view were more inclined to disclose a drinking problem and to seek expert help. Among those who would seek expert advice the family physician was favored two to one over the clergyman. However, among persons who preferred to handle theproblem within the family, the physician was only a slight favorite. For further help A. A. was the most popular source, especially among persons who would discuss a drinking problem with friends. Personal acquaintance with an alcoholic was not associated with the medical definition. However, those reporting such personal knowledge and who also hold the medical view were much more likely to discuss a drinking problem with friends than were those who did not know an alcoholic and defined alcoholics in moralistic terms.
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