Dass die Berufsbezeichnung Suchtberater nicht ganz unproblematisch ist, erfuhr ich letzthin von einem Dolmetscher-Kollegen, der vor einiger Zeit am Gericht für einen Drogenhändler dolmetschte - letzterer gab als Berufsbezeichnung Suchtberater an!
Mittwoch, 28. Juli 2010
Sonntag, 25. Juli 2010
Warum trinkst du?
Den nächsten Planeten bewohnte ein Säufer. Dieser Besuch war sehr kurz, aber er tauchte den kleinen Prinzen in eine tiefe Schwermut.
„Was machst du da?” fragte er den Säufer, den er stumm vor einer Reihe leerer und einer Reihe voller Flaschen sitzend antraf.
„Ich trinke”, antwortete der Säufer mit düsterer Miene.
„Warum trinkst du?” fragte ihn der kleine Prinz.
„Um zu vergessen”, antwortete der Säufer.
„Um was zu vergessen?” erkundigte sich der kleine Prinz, der ihn schon bedauerte.
„Um zu vergessen, daß ich mich schäme”, gestand der Säufer und senkte den Kopf.
„Weshalb schämst du dich?” fragte der kleine Prinz, der den Wunsch hatte, ihm zu helfen.
„Weil ich saufe”, endete der Säufer und verschloß sich endgültig in sein Schweigen.
Und der kleine Prinz verschwand bestürzt.
Die großen Leute sind entschieden sehr, sehr wunderlich, sagte er zu sich auf seiner Reise.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: Der kleine Prinz
Die großen Leute sind entschieden sehr, sehr wunderlich, sagte er zu sich auf seiner Reise.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: Der kleine Prinz
Mittwoch, 21. Juli 2010
The Alcoholic's Mind
Recently, while researching the literature for a longer essay on whether AA works, I came across Understanding the Alcoholic's Mind by Arnold M. Ludwig, one of my most enjoyable reads ever on addiction: Here are some excerpts:
There is no general agreement about the nature, cause, or treatment of alcoholism. What is an alcoholic? Where does one draw the line between problem drinking and alcoholism, between alcohol dependence and addiction? Is alcoholism one disorder or a collection of different disorders? Is it a moral failing, a bad habit, or a disease? Do alcoholics have distinctive personality features? Is alcoholism hereditary or learned? Does excessive drinking represent a symptomatic expression of an underlying conflict or is it the primary problem itself? Which treatment approach, if any, is most effective? Who is best qualified to help? The questions can go on and on. There are no scientific answers. In the absence of facts, opinions and beliefs tend to prevail. Sometimes they seem paradoxical and inconsistent. Consider the following.
* "Hitting bottom" is presumed to be a necessary step for recovery. even though being in dire straits, for all other illnesses, usually indicates a poor rather than favourable diagnosis.
* Recovery from alcoholism - at least according to Alcoholics Anonymous - depends upon admission and acceptance of helplessness by the alcoholic. To gain control over the disease, the individual must relinquish his personal will to that of a Higher Power and to the community of fellow alcoholics. In effect, the acceptance of personal weakness becomes the basis of strength.
* Along with other addictions, alcoholism is unique in the extent to which the individual is blamed if the treatment fails. If the alcoholic does not remain abstinent, therapists and staff presume that he is unmotivated for or unreceptive to help.
* In many hospital treatment settings, alcoholics are immediately discharged from the program if they are presumed to be uncooperative, unmotivated, setting poor examples for others, or if they are found to be intoxicated or drinking on the premises. In other words, they are not regarded as suitable for treatment if they show evidence of their sickness; namely, an inability to control their drinking. The catch-22 is that they must remain sober in order to receive help.
* Alcoholism represents a disorder in which alcoholics presumably cannot refrain from drinking, yet most therapeutic programs expect them, once abstinent, never to consume that first drink.
* Alcoholics are regarded as "sick" - at least for purposes of hospitalization or treatment - but society tends to hold them responsible for their transgressions or crimes.
* Alcoholism as a disease is still presumed to exist even when an alcoholic has been sober for years. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, as the saying goes. Even with cancer, the prognosis is not that grim.
* Because alcoholism is regarded as a "disease", certain therapeutic agencies do not hold alcoholics responsible for the harm caused by past drinking, but they do regard them as responsible for their present and future behaviors, an important and interesting distinction.
* Alcoholism is the only "disease" for which communion with a Higher Power is regarded by many as an essential element for recovery. Even physicians who are otherwise wary of the role of religion in medicine and rely primarily on drugs and procedures of proven, scientific merit for the treatment of serious illnesses, endorse participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, which has a strong spiritual emphasis, as an importnat component of therapy.
* Alcoholism is a "disease" in which characteristic symptoms, such as urges and cravings to drink, can appear mysteriously at certain times, for example, during evenings and weekends, and be absent at others, as at work or at church. With the exception of other addictions, what medical diseases are so dependent on the mental expectations of the sufferers and the physical settings in which they exist?
* When uncomplicated by medical problems, alcoholism is assumed by many to be better treated by those who have suffered from it than by trained professionals who never have. Alcoholism is the only "disease" about which the recovered patient is presumed to know more than the doctor.
* Alcoholism is the only disorder for which the label of "alcoholic" is regarded as a stigma or a moral condemnation by some and a badge of honor by others, the qualification of automatic membership into a fellowship of like-minded sufferers. Unlike individuals with cancer, hypertension, or other medical diseases, alcoholics tend to become defined by their disease, which presumably obliterates their individuality, putting them on the same footing as other alcoholics. They are alcoholics first and foremost, even when sober, rather than individuals with a drinking problem.
With all these paradoxical claims, it is not surprising that so many claim expertise in this area.
There is no general agreement about the nature, cause, or treatment of alcoholism. What is an alcoholic? Where does one draw the line between problem drinking and alcoholism, between alcohol dependence and addiction? Is alcoholism one disorder or a collection of different disorders? Is it a moral failing, a bad habit, or a disease? Do alcoholics have distinctive personality features? Is alcoholism hereditary or learned? Does excessive drinking represent a symptomatic expression of an underlying conflict or is it the primary problem itself? Which treatment approach, if any, is most effective? Who is best qualified to help? The questions can go on and on. There are no scientific answers. In the absence of facts, opinions and beliefs tend to prevail. Sometimes they seem paradoxical and inconsistent. Consider the following.
* "Hitting bottom" is presumed to be a necessary step for recovery. even though being in dire straits, for all other illnesses, usually indicates a poor rather than favourable diagnosis.
* Recovery from alcoholism - at least according to Alcoholics Anonymous - depends upon admission and acceptance of helplessness by the alcoholic. To gain control over the disease, the individual must relinquish his personal will to that of a Higher Power and to the community of fellow alcoholics. In effect, the acceptance of personal weakness becomes the basis of strength.
* Along with other addictions, alcoholism is unique in the extent to which the individual is blamed if the treatment fails. If the alcoholic does not remain abstinent, therapists and staff presume that he is unmotivated for or unreceptive to help.
* In many hospital treatment settings, alcoholics are immediately discharged from the program if they are presumed to be uncooperative, unmotivated, setting poor examples for others, or if they are found to be intoxicated or drinking on the premises. In other words, they are not regarded as suitable for treatment if they show evidence of their sickness; namely, an inability to control their drinking. The catch-22 is that they must remain sober in order to receive help.
* Alcoholism represents a disorder in which alcoholics presumably cannot refrain from drinking, yet most therapeutic programs expect them, once abstinent, never to consume that first drink.
* Alcoholics are regarded as "sick" - at least for purposes of hospitalization or treatment - but society tends to hold them responsible for their transgressions or crimes.
* Alcoholism as a disease is still presumed to exist even when an alcoholic has been sober for years. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, as the saying goes. Even with cancer, the prognosis is not that grim.
* Because alcoholism is regarded as a "disease", certain therapeutic agencies do not hold alcoholics responsible for the harm caused by past drinking, but they do regard them as responsible for their present and future behaviors, an important and interesting distinction.
* Alcoholism is the only "disease" for which communion with a Higher Power is regarded by many as an essential element for recovery. Even physicians who are otherwise wary of the role of religion in medicine and rely primarily on drugs and procedures of proven, scientific merit for the treatment of serious illnesses, endorse participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, which has a strong spiritual emphasis, as an importnat component of therapy.
* Alcoholism is a "disease" in which characteristic symptoms, such as urges and cravings to drink, can appear mysteriously at certain times, for example, during evenings and weekends, and be absent at others, as at work or at church. With the exception of other addictions, what medical diseases are so dependent on the mental expectations of the sufferers and the physical settings in which they exist?
* When uncomplicated by medical problems, alcoholism is assumed by many to be better treated by those who have suffered from it than by trained professionals who never have. Alcoholism is the only "disease" about which the recovered patient is presumed to know more than the doctor.
* Alcoholism is the only disorder for which the label of "alcoholic" is regarded as a stigma or a moral condemnation by some and a badge of honor by others, the qualification of automatic membership into a fellowship of like-minded sufferers. Unlike individuals with cancer, hypertension, or other medical diseases, alcoholics tend to become defined by their disease, which presumably obliterates their individuality, putting them on the same footing as other alcoholics. They are alcoholics first and foremost, even when sober, rather than individuals with a drinking problem.
With all these paradoxical claims, it is not surprising that so many claim expertise in this area.
Sonntag, 18. Juli 2010
Mit dem Rauchen aufhören
Niemand hört wirklich auf zu rauchen.
Man unterbricht bestenfalls. Für ein paar Tage. Oder Monate, oder auch Jahre. Aber wirklich aufhören, das tut keiner. Die Zigarette ist immer auf der Lauer. Es kann vorkommen, dass sie mitten in einem Traum auftaucht, fünf oder zehn Jahre, nachdem du "aufgehört" hast.
Dann fühlst du ihr Papier zwischen den Fingern; hörst das leise, dumpfe, beruhigende Geräusch, das sie macht, wenn du mit ihr auf die Schreibtischplatte klopfst; spürst, wie deine Lippen den ockerfarbenen Filter berühren; hörst das Streichholz über die Reibfläche kratzen und siehst die blaugelbe Flamme vor dir aufleuchten.
Du spürst sogar, wie der Rauch in deine Lungen eindringt, siehst, wie er sich zwischen den Akten, Büchern und der Kaffeetasse vor dir ausbreitet.
Und genau in diesem Moment wachst du auf. Und denkst, dass eine Zigarette, eine einzige, eigentlich keinen Unterschied macht. Dass du sie dir ruhig anstecken könntest, für den Notfall liegt ja immer ein Päckchen in der Schreibtischschublade oder sonst irgendwo. Aber du weisst natürlich, dass es so nicht laufen würde. Dass du dir nach der ersten die zweite anzünden würdest, und dann noch eine und noch eine. Manchmal schafft man es, manchmal nicht. Aber egal, wie es läuft, in diesen Momenten wird dir klar, dass der Ausdruck "mit dem Rauchen aufhören" völlig abstrakt ist. Die Wirklichkeit sieht anders aus. Abgesehen von Träumen gibt es natürlich auch konkretere Auslöser. Alpträume, zum Beispiel.
Gianrico Carofiglio: In freiem Fall
Man unterbricht bestenfalls. Für ein paar Tage. Oder Monate, oder auch Jahre. Aber wirklich aufhören, das tut keiner. Die Zigarette ist immer auf der Lauer. Es kann vorkommen, dass sie mitten in einem Traum auftaucht, fünf oder zehn Jahre, nachdem du "aufgehört" hast.
Dann fühlst du ihr Papier zwischen den Fingern; hörst das leise, dumpfe, beruhigende Geräusch, das sie macht, wenn du mit ihr auf die Schreibtischplatte klopfst; spürst, wie deine Lippen den ockerfarbenen Filter berühren; hörst das Streichholz über die Reibfläche kratzen und siehst die blaugelbe Flamme vor dir aufleuchten.
Du spürst sogar, wie der Rauch in deine Lungen eindringt, siehst, wie er sich zwischen den Akten, Büchern und der Kaffeetasse vor dir ausbreitet.
Und genau in diesem Moment wachst du auf. Und denkst, dass eine Zigarette, eine einzige, eigentlich keinen Unterschied macht. Dass du sie dir ruhig anstecken könntest, für den Notfall liegt ja immer ein Päckchen in der Schreibtischschublade oder sonst irgendwo. Aber du weisst natürlich, dass es so nicht laufen würde. Dass du dir nach der ersten die zweite anzünden würdest, und dann noch eine und noch eine. Manchmal schafft man es, manchmal nicht. Aber egal, wie es läuft, in diesen Momenten wird dir klar, dass der Ausdruck "mit dem Rauchen aufhören" völlig abstrakt ist. Die Wirklichkeit sieht anders aus. Abgesehen von Träumen gibt es natürlich auch konkretere Auslöser. Alpträume, zum Beispiel.
Gianrico Carofiglio: In freiem Fall
Mittwoch, 14. Juli 2010
We are all mad
“We are all mad, Inspector, for the simple reason that we don’t know why we exist and this …” he waved his hand at the tissue of existence before him, “this life is how we distract ourselves so that we don’t have to think about things too difficult for us to comprehend.”
Robert Wilson: A Small Death in Lisbon
Robert Wilson: A Small Death in Lisbon
Sonntag, 11. Juli 2010
Die Welt ist ein Spiegel
Die Welt ist ein Spiegel, aus dem jedem sein eigenes Bild entgegenblickt. Wirf einen mürrischen Blick hinein, und sie wird dir ein saures Gesicht zeigen, lach sie an und lach mit ihr, und sie ist dir ein lustiger, freundlicher Gefährte. Alle jungen Leute mögen nun ihre Wahl treffen.
William Makepeace Thackeray: Jahrmarkt der Eitelkeit
Mittwoch, 7. Juli 2010
¿Sabes una cosa, Søren?
¿Sabes una cosa, Søren? Lo único que te pasa es que tienes la mala costumbre de andar siempre con los hombros caídos. Sólo con que enderezaras la espalda y caminaras erguido, todos tus males desaparecerían.
Christian Lund, tio de Søren Kierkegaard
Christian Lund, tio de Søren Kierkegaard
Sonntag, 4. Juli 2010
Zukunftsgeschwätz
Die Menschen, die immer von der besseren Zukunft schwatzen, sind die grössten Verderber der Welt. Der Glaube an eine bessere Zukunft, er vor allem, muss den Menschen genommen werden. Denn schliesslich haben wir es ihm zu verdanken, dass wir uns ewig im Kreise drehen. Die Namen wechseln, die Institutionen wechseln, die Sache, nämlich der Mensch, bleibt immer derselbe. Es kommt aber gerade darauf an, dass der Mensch ein anderer wird. Die Fortschritte der Wissenschaft, der Institutionen sind daneben eine gleichgültige Spielerei.
Hans Albrecht Moser: Vineta
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