Although alcoholism is as old as mankind itself, it has become more prevalent in today's tension-filled society than ever before and is now ranked as the third major health problem in the United States,
This was one of the facts brought out Wednesday night on "The Hidden Illness," one of a series of programs on alcoholism presented by educational television station WYES and sponsored by the Committee on Alcoholism of Greater New Orleans and the division of alcoholism of the state department of hospitals.
On Wednesday night's program, a panel of professional experts in the field answered questions mailed in by viewers. The panel included^ Dr. Marvin. Miller, associate professor of psychiatry at Louisiana State university school of medicine; Dr.-J. Paul Muhleisen, chief of gastroenterology at Veterans' Administration hospital; E. Har,-old Saer Jr., a member of the board of directors of the committee on alcoholism; Miss Mary Ann Faulkner, psychiatric social worker and executive director of the Clinic for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alcoholism in New Orleans; and Paul J. Foley, also a member of the committee board.
Dr. Muhleisen traced what actually happens when a person drinks an alcoholic beverage. He said that when one drink is consumed, person's judgement and inhibitions are affected. After three drinks, a person's reaction and co-ordination are affected, he said, and after five drinks, the vision, speech and balance are affected.
When eight drinks have been consumed, a person becomes dazed and dejected and his walking and standing are affected, he said. After 20 drinks, he is "dead drunk" and his consciousness is affected.
Should a person continue to drink after this, consuming 25 or more drinks, then he has taken a lethal dose of alcohol, Dr. Muhleisen said. ' "It is important to realize that alcohol is not a stimulant but a depressant," he said.
OTHER FACTS
Other facts brought out during the program included that:
1. A true alcoholic should never drink socially again once he is cured because even though he has' ceased to drink, he has only arrested his illness and not really cured it
2. The ''danger signals" for l?ath-men and .women alcoholics include * "gulping" drinks, lying about the number of drinks consumed, feeling the necessity of having drinks during regular periods such as before meals, taking drinks to ease nerves or to cure "blues" and taking drinks before parties where drinks will be served. ;.
3. Alcoholism among employes can be detected by frequent absenteeism, tardiness or. leaving the job early, claims of
jm i n or illnesses, personality changes, failure to keep up the normal work pace, and changes in personal appearance.
4. Alcoholism is caused by a combination of biochemical, psychological, social and nutritional problems.
5. Alcoholism is a progressive illness which requires profes* sional help—it is almost impossible for an alcoholic to cure himself alone.
The next program in the series will be held Wednesday at 9:30 p. m, A survey of "Louisiana's Answer to Alcoholism^ will be given.
