HOSPITAL PROGRESS, Vo1. 32: 293-296, October, 1951
THE CARE OF ALCOHOLICS
St Thomas Hospital and A.A. started a movement
which swept the country
by Sister M. Ignatia, C.S.A.
Administrator, St. Thomas Hospital, Akron, Ohio
Nearly 12 years ago, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr. Bob was on our staff. He was a skilled proctologist, and was on our staff five years before we knew that he had a drinking problem. We would not have known it then had he not volunteered the information.
Dr. Bob often discussed the problem of alcoholism with us, with regard to auto accidents and other tragedies caused by excessive drinking. Many of these cases had to be admitted to the hospital even though they were intoxicated. After talking with members of the families of these compulsive drinkers and realizing the suffering brought into the homes of these afflicted people because of drink, we became deeply interested in the plan which Dr. Bob unfolded to us.
This was in 1939, just about the time we were trying to pull out of the depression. Hospital beds were at a premium, without any prospect of adding to our bed capacity. There was very little enthusiasm around the hospital about admitting people who were imbibing too freely in those days. However, prompted by the grace of God, we very cautiously admitted one patient, with the diagnosis of acute gastritis, under the care of Dr. Bob. The patient was placed in a two-bed room. The next morning Dr. Bob came to the admitting office very timidly and requested that the patient be moved to a spot where the men who came to visit him might talk with him privately. The only available space we could think of was a small room across the hall called the “flower room,” where patients’ flowers were changed and arranged. We pushed the alcoholic’s bed into this room. It was there that he received his first A.A. visitors. The men who came to visit him were such respectable, dignified – appearing men that we could hardly believe they had ever been addicted to alcohol.
We then set aside a two-bed room, then a four and later a six-bed room ward. Today our A.A. ward has eight beds, adjoining a corridor which serves as a lounge. The corridor opens into the gallery of our chapel.
Our alcoholic ward is not a great problem. It is simply a large room with accommodations in one end for eight beds. The other end of the room is a small lounge with comfortable chairs, a davenport, A “bar” a coffee urn, and an ice-box. To the rear of this ward-lounge is a room with a lavatory and shower into which the new man is brought for admission to the ward.
An important point is that he is helped out of his street clothes and into hospital attire by other patients in the ward. The advantage for the new patient is that, from the first, he is in the care of understanding friends. The advantage for the older patients who perform this duty is that they are thus able to see themselves again as they were upon admission. Administratively, an economy is effected by thus eliminating the need for hard-to-get employees.
Directly across the hall from our ward-lounge is the choir-loft of our chapel, which permits A.A. patients to hear Mass every day if they wish and to make visits in hospital attire when they so desire – all in complete seclusion. Bearing in mind always that the alcoholic is a person who is sick spiritually as well as physically, the ready access he is thus given to the source of spiritual healing is a powerful factor in his recovery.
To return to the mechanical operation of the ward, it can be stated that it is almost wholly self-operating. A nurses aid comes in to make beds and an A.A. employee does the heavier cleaning. The cleaning of ash trays, the making of coffee – the coffee urn is in operation 24 hours each day – the washing of coffee cups, all of this is done by the patients themselves. Usually they welcome these small opportunities to busy themselves and thus keep their minds off their problems. Activity eliminates brooding, and the volume of such work is never great at any time.
The function of the lounge is to provide a place where the patient can chat with A.A. visitors and listen to informal talks. A secondary value, but a most important one to the former patient, is that by visiting current A.A. patients the former patient helps to perpetuate his own sobriety. It is axiomatic that the alcoholic is never “cured”; his ailment is simply arrested but it is positively arrested if he perseveres in the program. The visitors’ lounge (which is supplemented by chairs in the hallway that divides the ward from the choir loft) helps not only to aid the current patient to sobriety but also to preserve and perpetuate the sobriety of former patients.
The icebox is kept stocked with food and particularly with milk and citrus juices, for the alcoholic is frequently an undernourished person. The patients are encouraged to eat at will. The coffee urn and bar are the A.A. equivalent for the brass rail and bottles of the drinking days.
The A.A. visitors perform a multitude of chores for the current patients. Sometimes they secure a job or effect a family reconciliation or pacify a creditor pressing for payment of a bill. These and other services are done by A.A. Is for the dual purpose of Showing true Christian brotherhood and as a means of perpetuating and insuring their own sobriety.
Hospital Procedure
We begin where reality begins for the alcoholic. Reality for the alcoholic is drinking. It is most important that the approach be made through another alcoholic – a sponsor. The sponsor speaks the language of the alcoholic. He knows “all the tricks of the trade,” because of personal experience.
Those of us who have anything to do with admitting these patients would do well to have the humility to rely upon the judgment of the sponsor. Let him decide when the patient is ready for the program. We do not accept repeaters! Sponsors know this, hence they are very careful to qualify the person before bringing him into the hospital. Above all, he must have a sincere desire to stop drinking. Wives, relatives, friends, and well meaning employers may try to high-pressure the alcoholic into accepting the program. Someone may even persuade the family doctor to use his influence with the hospital, so that the prospect may be admitted into the alcoholic ward.
The role of the sponsor is not an easy one. He leaves nothing undone to clear away all the ill feeling, indignation, and resentment that have accumulated in the path of his patient. The sponsor acts as a catalytic agent in combating all adverse forces. He tries to appease an exasperated wife, talks with the employer, landlord, creditors, and others. He explains the program, tells them that this is not simply another “sobering up process.” This time he is being treated not only physically but morally and mentally as well. The sponsor assures them that with God’s grace, their cooperation and the help of his fellow A.A.’s, his charge will be given a real opportunity to make a complete recovery.
The Patient Admitted To The Hospital
After registration the sponsor escorts his patient to the A.A. ward.
The ward is virtually self-governing. Two or three of the senior patients in the ward take over and welcome the new patient. They check his clothes and prepare him for bed. (Many of these patients are in such good condition that they sit in the lounge and join in the conversation). Nothing is left undone to make the new man feel at home. This reception inspires hope in his heart. It also gives the A.A. patients a splendid opportunity of doing twelfth-step work, namely, helping others.
The alcoholic is ill, in body, mind, and soul; hence we begin with the physical care.
Second day – The Day of Realization
The physical condition of the patient is usually much improved on the second day. His mind is beginning to clear. He feels encouraged because everyone seems interested in him. Visitors call on him, telling him “This is how I made it.” Some of the visitors may be men with whom he used to drink. The power of example is a great example to the patient. He begins to say to himself. “If he can do it – so can I. But how am I going to make it?” At this point he generally has a “heart to heart talk” with his sponsor.
He acknowledges his utter powerlessness over alcohol. He honestly admits that he has tried innumerable times to drink normally and has always failed. He is finally ready, honestly and humbly, to admit defeat. His sponsor is delighted to know that his patient is really honest about his drinking. The sponsor says “Good! We can help you since you are humble and honest.”
This is the grace of God at work in the soul of the patient –to admit helplessness and to seek help outside of self. This may be the first time the patient has admitted the fact that he is powerless to help himself.
The next step is humbly to turn to God: “Ask and you shall receive.” Patients have often said that is the first time they sincerely prayed. The “Our Father” takes on a new meaning at this point. They feel that they really belong.
Third day – The Day of Moral Inventory
The patient makes a searching and fearless moral inventory. He faces the past honestly, admits to God, to himself, and to another human being the exact nature of his wrongs. He is finished with alibis and reservations. “I am an alcoholic, what a joy to be honest! The truth will make you free.” Now he is sincerely asking God’s help and the help of his fellow man.
Fourth Day – The Day Of Resolution
“Give us this day our daily bread.” This is interpreted by the alcoholics to mean, “I surely can stay sober today.” This is usually followed by an act of complete surrender to God. The past is finished. “I am heartily sorry.” “I’ll try to make amends.” This means confession, repentance and firm purpose of amendment. Many Catholics return to the Sacraments after years of negligence. Scripture says, “There is more joy in heaven over one sinner doing penance than 99 just who need not penance.” He used to drink because he felt like it. He permitted his emotions to run away with him. Now, with God’s help and the help of his fellow A.A.’s, with his clear thinking, he can control his feelings and emotions. Reason now governs his life. Strong convictions are given him as to why he cannot take that first drink. He has learned from his fellow alcoholics that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that it is a privilege to help others. What a joy too! He is kept so busy helping others that he does not have time to even think about a drink. What a transformation takes place in the lives of these men and women!
Fifth Day – Plans For The Future
As he leaves the hospital he must now face his problems. The way has been paved by the sponsor. The future is in God’s hands. He has learned to say “0 God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” He is urged to guard against pride, self-pity, resentment, intolerance, and criticism; to attend meetings, to do twelfth-step work, and to visit the hospital.
Before leaving the hospital the patient is given a Following Of Christ by Thomas A Kempis. During his stay in the hospital he learns the significance of the Little Sacred Heart Badge. He requests one, with a thorough understanding of conditions implied: that it must be returned before he takes the first drink.
Patients From All Over Nation
We have hospitalized well over 4,000 A.A. patients at St. Thomas Hospital. They have come to Akron from Alabama, South Carolina, Michigan, Maryland, Texas, and many other distant parts. They would not have had to travel so far if their local hospital made it possible for them to receive the program nearer home.
Time and finances prohibit many from making such a long trip. Many may be forced to accept treatment under less favorable circumstances. Our policy is not to accept alcoholics for re-hospitalization. We’ve learned from experience that in institutions where the majority of the inmates are repeaters, the program is defeated for the new man, because it creates an atmosphere of pessimism and discouragement. The patient often gives up in despair. It might have been quite different if he had been given the proper exposure to the program in a spiritual atmosphere as provided in a local Catholic hospital.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a tremendous movement. According to figures from the New York office, new members are registered at the rate of about 1,500 per month. At present there are about 112,000 active members and some 4,000 chapters scattered throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, and 36 other countries.
A priest once told me that the A.A. program is the most fruitful source of conversions. It is perhaps the best means by which the work of the hospital can be interpreted to the community. It gives the hospital a good name not only with the reformed drunkard, his family, friends and neighbors; but the whole community can point to something constructive which the hospital has done. These people are seeking truth; in other words, they are thirsting for God.