The Alcoholic Teacher: A Growing Concern of the Next Decade

Abstract

“No battle against a public health problem can gain a significant victory if it attends only to the casualties. Appropriate treatment of persons who are abusing alcohol—the primary condition that may lead to alcoholism—can intercept the development of many cases of alcoholism. Yet much of the work in the field of alcoholism has been focused on treating late-stage victims of the disorder. Programs that are exclusively therapeutic or rehabilitative will not result in long-term conquest of the problem unless ways of preventing new cases of alcoholism are developed.” [1]

The concept of prevention and early intervention in alcoholism is suggested in much of today's literature. Individuals beset with drinking problems need to be identified early enough in the disease process so as to prevent the physical and social destruction that is eventually evident. The early signs and symptoms of this disorder are not easily observed. An insidious pattern of lateness, family disorders, excuses, frequent visits to the doctor, poor performance on the job and perhaps job related accidents, befall this individual.

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