Lost in Alcohol.....?
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Interesting brianh. I only know two other people with breathalysers and they are both inappropriate drinkers who use it to get home without breaking the law. They are unable to say "No".
But more irrelevant stuff, I assume your authoritative Human Factors source is an ATPL text book, I wonder what its impact factor is? I see you even got speed cameras in, so I guess it's off to Jet Blast we go
But more irrelevant stuff, I assume your authoritative Human Factors source is an ATPL text book, I wonder what its impact factor is? I see you even got speed cameras in, so I guess it's off to Jet Blast we go
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Slim Slag,
Interesting that you quote tolerance as a sign of dependancy; have you been paying too much attention to the FAA ?
Interesting that they define tolerance as "the ability to walk with a blood alcohol content of 0.2%" -you should apparently be totally sedated with this amount and yet according to them OK to fly an aircraft at one fifth of this amount !
Interesting that you quote tolerance as a sign of dependancy; have you been paying too much attention to the FAA ?
Interesting that they define tolerance as "the ability to walk with a blood alcohol content of 0.2%" -you should apparently be totally sedated with this amount and yet according to them OK to fly an aircraft at one fifth of this amount !
Está servira para distraerle.
It just might be helpful to do a little research on the differences between alcoholism and dipsomania. The latter term has gone out of favour in these days of bulk branding but it usefully describes a condition other than raw alcholism.
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I in the Sky,
1) answer to your question is No.
2) Doubt the FAA define it as you have, but I wouldn't know as I don't consider them an authority on these things so don't pay much attention.
3) This has very little to do with absolute alcohol intake or blood levels.
Cavorting cheetah.
As I said, the diagnosis of alcoholism is more complex than looking at four symptoms. Craving (dipsomania) is merely part of the picture, a diagnosis of diseases of this kind can not be made purely on that one symptom. However it is highly suggestive that somebody who describes 'craving' may have a chemical dependancy which is why I suggest they talk to somebody about it. They can make a diagnosis better than us lot on a bulletin board, there may well be nothing in it. It's interesting that this suggestion is ridiculed, but there may be nothing in that either.
1) answer to your question is No.
2) Doubt the FAA define it as you have, but I wouldn't know as I don't consider them an authority on these things so don't pay much attention.
3) This has very little to do with absolute alcohol intake or blood levels.
Cavorting cheetah.
As I said, the diagnosis of alcoholism is more complex than looking at four symptoms. Craving (dipsomania) is merely part of the picture, a diagnosis of diseases of this kind can not be made purely on that one symptom. However it is highly suggestive that somebody who describes 'craving' may have a chemical dependancy which is why I suggest they talk to somebody about it. They can make a diagnosis better than us lot on a bulletin board, there may well be nothing in it. It's interesting that this suggestion is ridiculed, but there may be nothing in that either.
Está servira para distraerle.
One of the more unhappy characterisitics of dipsomania is that of morbidity in the craving. Quite often the dipsomaniac desire is for liquers which of course are high in sugar. Res ipsa loquitur?
Plastic PPRuNer
Hawk writes, "Various controlled drinking programs out there....."
Oh dear! One of the hallmarks of alcoholism is increasingly desperate and hopeless attempts at "control". Alcoholics love the idea of "controlled drinking programs" - it means they won't have to stop! This doesn't work - alcoholics do not have control, their response to alcohol is abnormal and defines their illness.
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal disease.
Only one answer of the alcoholic, total and permanent abstention.
Oh dear! One of the hallmarks of alcoholism is increasingly desperate and hopeless attempts at "control". Alcoholics love the idea of "controlled drinking programs" - it means they won't have to stop! This doesn't work - alcoholics do not have control, their response to alcohol is abnormal and defines their illness.
Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal disease.
Only one answer of the alcoholic, total and permanent abstention.
Está servira para distraerle.
Therefore would it be fair, accurate and reasonable to summarise as follows:
1. Alchoholism is a disease, perhaps a symptom of an addictive personality, whether of genetic, pyschological or other causation which is not completely understood by the medical profession, or should I rather say: has not been sufficiently researched? eg: correlation between alcohol abuse and drug addiction.
2. It is incurable.
eg
There is no validity in the statement reported in today's BBC from Lord Mc Nally, for example, that he used to be an alcoholic.)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4633970.stm
3. The only remedy for the sufferer and those around him is complete abstinence.
4. Given total abstinence from alcohol, the prognosis for physical and mental recovery is usually very good although physically the status quo ante may never quite be achieved. There will usually always be some residual damage.
5. If damage to the internal organs or to the brain has progressed beyond a certain point the alcoholic might just as well continue to drink himself to death, enjoying himself as he sees it?
Thus last speaks the cynic; one who views the prospect of the salvation afforded by a liver transplant with a somewhat, if inappropriately, jaundiced eye.
6. With complete abstinence the alcoholic can usually live a perfectly normal and contented life as can those around him!
Plastic PPRuNer
"....drink himself to death, enjoying himself as he sees it?"
The idea of the happy alcoholic (a la Harvey) is a myth - once the illness has reached a certain point all alcoholics are sick, confused, guilty and desperately unhappy. They can't stop and they can't go on.
Drinking to live,
Living to drink, and finally,
Drinking to die
"With complete abstinence the alcoholic can usually live a perfectly normal and contented life as can those around him"
From what I've seen, yes. AA teaches them that there is no cure, only a state of recovery, which is why people who haven't touched a drop for 20 years still refer to themselves as "an alcoholic in recovery".
Addiction is a terrible thing: I've had two colleagues commit suicide over the years from mixed addictions and, thankfully, one chum who at the 15 year sobriety mark is happy, successful and respected.
The idea of the happy alcoholic (a la Harvey) is a myth - once the illness has reached a certain point all alcoholics are sick, confused, guilty and desperately unhappy. They can't stop and they can't go on.
Drinking to live,
Living to drink, and finally,
Drinking to die
"With complete abstinence the alcoholic can usually live a perfectly normal and contented life as can those around him"
From what I've seen, yes. AA teaches them that there is no cure, only a state of recovery, which is why people who haven't touched a drop for 20 years still refer to themselves as "an alcoholic in recovery".
Addiction is a terrible thing: I've had two colleagues commit suicide over the years from mixed addictions and, thankfully, one chum who at the 15 year sobriety mark is happy, successful and respected.
Está servira para distraerle.
Now to a little of the old nitty g!
Please bear in mind that I speak as a layman not a medical practitioner of any sort, not even as a pathologist!
The point where a heavy drinker, social or solitary, might be diagnosed as an alcoholic is an ill defined and well debated one.
There are numerous little hit list check lists on the net to aid in a self assessment of this crossroads. The scoring usual proceeds along the lines of: One yes: You might be.
Two: You are risky.
Three: Uncharted waters.
Four: Dangerous.
Five: Damned.
So then, at what point in this little journey does the individual decide that, left unstopped, his drink problem will become a real handicap to his life and the lives of those around him.
I am not sure that the best way around this conundrum is to seek the advice of those within the family or immediate circle as to whether or not alcohol causes mood swings. This characterisitc of addictive behaviour is really quite important and I believe it is ignored in far too many instances. In very simple terms, is not a mood change a brain swing of sorts, perhaps a synaptic manifestation? If this be so and if alcohol or any substance for that matter causes such mood swings, best avoid it on a rather permanent basis.
I too have had friends who perished at the cup of the demon drink. The last one, a husband and father of great wit, intelligence and humour literally and deliberately moved to a sunny European clime, filled his cellar with booze and then, with singular purpose and intent and notwithstanding the protestations of all around, drowned himself in grog.
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I have been a heavy - very heavy drinker but I was never an alcoholic, though members of my family are substance dependent, booze and or drugs. I used to think that the reason I wasn't an alcoholic was that I could never stand a hair of the dog. If I had a skin full I couldn’t even think about another beer for days.
As with smoking, some people are true addicts and some aren't. We all know people who have stopped and, after a period of recovery, never needed another fag, drink or hit ever again. We also know people who gave up years ago and still feel the need. It is a very complex thing and it isn't fair. My mate, the FatPlumber, cannot remember whole months from his teens and twenties but he has never needed a drink. He swears that his brothers are addicts but found God instead of the bottle. I wonder if he isn't right
If you need to test yourself, see how long you can go without. If, at the end of a day, you are desperate you have a problem and should take stock. Don't kid yourself by saying "I am not desperate I just want a drink." Push it a bit further.
Alcoholics don't always get pissed. They do however, need a drink.
As with smoking, some people are true addicts and some aren't. We all know people who have stopped and, after a period of recovery, never needed another fag, drink or hit ever again. We also know people who gave up years ago and still feel the need. It is a very complex thing and it isn't fair. My mate, the FatPlumber, cannot remember whole months from his teens and twenties but he has never needed a drink. He swears that his brothers are addicts but found God instead of the bottle. I wonder if he isn't right
If you need to test yourself, see how long you can go without. If, at the end of a day, you are desperate you have a problem and should take stock. Don't kid yourself by saying "I am not desperate I just want a drink." Push it a bit further.
Alcoholics don't always get pissed. They do however, need a drink.
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www.boaf.org
This might be your answer. This organization has helped many fallen aviators and given the guidence to countless preventing many destroyed careers.
Please check this out, it might be the smartest career decision that you ever made.......
What is Birds Of A Feather, Int'l and who is this web site for?Excerpt from an address given on behalf of BOAF, at the Alcohol Awareness Hour, Eisenhower Medical Center, April 1978, by Ward B. (SEA).
"About BOAF. A clinical diagnosis of alcoholism or a history of an excessive drinking habit disqualifies an aviator from holding the FAA medical certificate which permits him to work as an airman. Thus an aviator having a problem with alcohol whose condition became known was automatically grounded. BOAF was formed in 1975 to assist troubled airmen to sobriety, thereby saving lives and careers. It was formed by three recovered pilots and two non-pilot airmen in the Pacific Northwest. In 1976 the Federal Air Surgeon, H. L. Reighard, a very perceptive and realistic practitioner, believed that air safety is to be enhanced by assisting airmen to recovery rather than having them remain in the closet along with their booze. There are now ten BOAF organizations in the U.S. and two International. BOAF has done exactly as the founders had hoped – assisted airmen to recovery."
Today, Birds Of A Feather, Int'l serves the same purpose; to assist troubled airmen to sobriety, thereby saving lives and careers. There are many more "Nests" now throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and other countries doing exactly as the founders had hoped – assisting airmen to recovery.
www.boaf.org
This might be your answer. This organization has helped many fallen aviators and given the guidence to countless preventing many destroyed careers.
Please check this out, it might be the smartest career decision that you ever made.......
What is Birds Of A Feather, Int'l and who is this web site for?Excerpt from an address given on behalf of BOAF, at the Alcohol Awareness Hour, Eisenhower Medical Center, April 1978, by Ward B. (SEA).
"About BOAF. A clinical diagnosis of alcoholism or a history of an excessive drinking habit disqualifies an aviator from holding the FAA medical certificate which permits him to work as an airman. Thus an aviator having a problem with alcohol whose condition became known was automatically grounded. BOAF was formed in 1975 to assist troubled airmen to sobriety, thereby saving lives and careers. It was formed by three recovered pilots and two non-pilot airmen in the Pacific Northwest. In 1976 the Federal Air Surgeon, H. L. Reighard, a very perceptive and realistic practitioner, believed that air safety is to be enhanced by assisting airmen to recovery rather than having them remain in the closet along with their booze. There are now ten BOAF organizations in the U.S. and two International. BOAF has done exactly as the founders had hoped – assisted airmen to recovery."
Today, Birds Of A Feather, Int'l serves the same purpose; to assist troubled airmen to sobriety, thereby saving lives and careers. There are many more "Nests" now throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and other countries doing exactly as the founders had hoped – assisting airmen to recovery.
www.boaf.org
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Whatever you want to give up, it can be very important not to give it up but replace it with something else. Chocolate is probably a bad idea. An activity is better. I took up karate when I was eating and drinking too much. Now that was addictive.
Plastic PPRuNer
Umm... Well, I lived for several years with an alco so I think I know what I'm talking about. And I've watched 2 terrific people flush themselves down the toilet until the only escape from their agony they could see was death. Later, on the basis of my own experiences I managed to get a third colleague into a Drug Dependency Unit in time - he was one of the lucky ones and is today happy, successful, respected and sober.
A good going alco is effectively insane, as they're completely irrational, have delusions, manipulate-manipulate-manipulate and lie all the time and better than a politician. They''re physically ill, with alcohol poisoning and multiple nutritional deficiencies. They're capable of more-or-less lucid moments, which they mostly use to obtain and hid booze. Alcos can be extraordinarily persuasive when they want and eventually the people around them start to wonder who IS crazy and become unbalanced themselves.
That's where Al-Anon comes in - they explain to you what the disease is all about and why your nearest and dearest is the way they are. At the same time, you learn that it's THEIR disease, not yours; that you're NOT crazy, and how to get on with your own life.
Perhaps, looking back, there are a few shades of gray among the black and white, but not many. Alcos and their affected friends and family need a pretty black and white approach, otherwise they'd get bogged down in arguments about the shade of gray and never get anywhere.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon have been described as brainwashing, but as my partner (female) later admitted - "My brain was pretty dirty, guess it needed a wash".
Make no mistake about it, alcoholism is a chronic, progressive and ultimately lethal illness - the gutter, the morgue, jail or an asylum is where it ends.
Fortunately my partner made it through to the other side, though we're not together anymore, but it was terribly tough. The sad thing is that only a small percentage of established alcoholics ever make it into long-term recovery - most don't, and die.
Alcoholics in long-term recovery are amazing people - they've had a near-death experience and survived, but learn and practice their 12 Step program, which keeps 'em sober and humble.
Google for Al-Anon on the web - good way of finding out about a dreadful affliction that is no respecter of persons.
A good going alco is effectively insane, as they're completely irrational, have delusions, manipulate-manipulate-manipulate and lie all the time and better than a politician. They''re physically ill, with alcohol poisoning and multiple nutritional deficiencies. They're capable of more-or-less lucid moments, which they mostly use to obtain and hid booze. Alcos can be extraordinarily persuasive when they want and eventually the people around them start to wonder who IS crazy and become unbalanced themselves.
That's where Al-Anon comes in - they explain to you what the disease is all about and why your nearest and dearest is the way they are. At the same time, you learn that it's THEIR disease, not yours; that you're NOT crazy, and how to get on with your own life.
Perhaps, looking back, there are a few shades of gray among the black and white, but not many. Alcos and their affected friends and family need a pretty black and white approach, otherwise they'd get bogged down in arguments about the shade of gray and never get anywhere.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon have been described as brainwashing, but as my partner (female) later admitted - "My brain was pretty dirty, guess it needed a wash".
Make no mistake about it, alcoholism is a chronic, progressive and ultimately lethal illness - the gutter, the morgue, jail or an asylum is where it ends.
Fortunately my partner made it through to the other side, though we're not together anymore, but it was terribly tough. The sad thing is that only a small percentage of established alcoholics ever make it into long-term recovery - most don't, and die.
Alcoholics in long-term recovery are amazing people - they've had a near-death experience and survived, but learn and practice their 12 Step program, which keeps 'em sober and humble.
Google for Al-Anon on the web - good way of finding out about a dreadful affliction that is no respecter of persons.
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So are you saying most people who drink alcohol, or, as LOC describes, worries about possible dependency on alcohol, go on to become alcoholics?
I'm glad your colleagues/partner recovered, but I'm still not sure that they represent the true picture of what goes on out there.
I would have liked to take this argument further but find it difficult because of you personal involvement.
I think the picture is more complex than you paint.
I'm glad your colleagues/partner recovered, but I'm still not sure that they represent the true picture of what goes on out there.
I would have liked to take this argument further but find it difficult because of you personal involvement.
I think the picture is more complex than you paint.
