“Alcohol Use Disorder” As is often the case in life, we change a label and consider it progress. Occasionally it’s even true, but if that doesn’t lead to changes in how the re-named condition is treated, then it’s hard to pretend any progress has been made. Such is the case with renaming “alcoholism” as “Alcohol Use Disorder” (click on the link for diagnostic criteria).

A Note: We do, of course, receive notes from clients which we appreciate very much. Sometimes we pass these along, especially when they remind us of points which, after 15 years, we tend to take for granted. The following is a good example: “Dear Ed and Mary Ellen It is with deep gratitude that I say how very lucky all of us are to be BOTH of your patients. You really complement each other and instead of doubling your impact, it’s a times ten." From the beginning we designed our services with a number of unique features, none more so than our team approach. We consider this to be one of the most critical aspects of our work with you.

Distance Delivery Our move into “Distance Delivery” of services is proving to be both popular and effective. Combined with reduced expense and increased privacy, the model – adapted from psychiatry and, increasingly, psychology – provides you with the #1 research based services in the country. Yes, the idea takes a bit of getting used to since we have all been indoctrinated into the “you must ‘go away’ for 30 (or more) days;” that you “must be in recovery;” that “AA works;” you must have “an alcohol fixated ‘support group’;” and other “king’s new clothes” delusions.

Writing This past week I sent off a draft of my brief guide, “AA – Who It Helps, Who It Harms, Who It Kill, & Why” to a couple of readers who responded to the usual writer’s plea for help. In this case I am lucky to have excellent help. Gabrielle Glaser, author of the best-selling “Her Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink – and How They Can Regain Control” and Dr. Tom Horvath, founder of SMART Recovery and Practical Recovery, both long-time friends, colleagues and collaborators, who agreed to read and comment.

Early Intervention Most people, having been indoctrinated by AA and the Steppers, haven’t considered the possibility of early intervention. No, I’m not referring to the sharks who circle around desperate families promising to host an “Intervention” and get your loved one packed off to a “rehab” facility from whom they get a hefty kickback and whose success rate is less than if you’d done nothing. I’m talking to you, the person who is becoming aware that your alcohol consumption is becoming uncomfortably intrusive in your life.

Deprivation vs Indulgence For many of us, drinking has become a major part of our “reward system.” Whether it’s seen as compensation for completing a difficult or trying task, or celebration for winning or commiseration for losing, the list of ways we have factored alcohol into our lives’ events is astonishing – especially when we attempt to eliminate it.

I Confess to Being Mystified. Mystified is a condition I am very familiar with in my life, but not so much in my work. But now that we have transformed our program to accommodate more of you, many of you are still reluctant to take advantage of even the free services and consultations – options which would allow you to make an informed decision as to what – if anything – to do about you drinking concerns. It would also give you an excellent opportunity to decide whether or not we might be the right option.

Weather, Weather Everywhere! Snow, rain, tornados, avalanches, and all the rest. When the external calamities extend across the nation, never mind the political ones, it’s easy to ignore or medicate our own personal internal storms and conflicts. The difference is, the external ones will eventually abate. Not so the internal ones. And change creates internal strife – even change for the better – and most of us resist getting the short term help that eases transitions and reassures us. So we plod along waiting for circumstances, others, and/or the world to change.

“Yeah, but. Yeah, but. Yeah, but.” We recently received a call from a woman who said that we were the perfect program for her. One designed specifically for women. Individual, no groups. Research, no AA. We were even the right age, meaning no overage adolescents as clients and staff. “And?” I asked. “But I don’t want to travel,” she said. “You don’t have to,” I said. “That’s why we redesigned the program so you could do it all via distance delivery.” “Yeah, but I need to get out of town,” she said.

Choice or Disease? There is a welter of choices available to you when it comes to unraveling your misuse of alcohol. Your understandable inertia isn’t helped by all of the conflicting and, usually, bogus information you are bombarded with on a daily basis. This is, of course, compounded by the fact that you usually aren’t in the best of circumstances for making a thoughtful and informed decision. How could you be when most of the information you might use is misinformation designed to lure you into “programs” that are designed to fail, though they are regularly touted on TV, in the movies, in novels, and in every sort of media?