At a point, after about 3 months, when the sober alcoholic reaches some level of comfort with the new state of affairs, the focus can shift. The attention has been virtually at the level of the mechanics of daily living. With that out of the way, or reasonably under control, the focus can move on to sorting out the alcoholic’s stance in the world, feelings, and relationships. Though 3 months is a somewhat arbitrary designation, it is not wholly so. Recall the subacute withdrawal syndrome. The alcoholic may pass through the acute withdrawal period within 5 days, but a longer period is required to regain the ability to concentrate, for example. Thus, there is a physical basis for what the alcoholic can focus on productively. This does not mean that all the problems previously discussed are totally overcome, or that work is not proceeding along some of the above paths. It simply means that other problems may now be surfacing. It is also at this point that some assessment should be made as to whether to refer the client to other professionals if the present caregiver is not equipped to handle this next phase. Some problems are fairly common and counselors must be alert to them. Most of these basically require finding a balance point between two extremes of behavior that are equally dangerous. John Wallace, a psychologist who has had long experience working with alcoholics, has neatly described his observations. He compares these extremes to rocks and whirlpools that must be avoided in the recovery “voyage.”*103\331\2*
Archive for April, 2011
I have had asthma all my life. It was diagnosed when I was little more than an infant. I am now in my early 40s. Looking back to the bad old days, I really appreciate the advances made in asthma medication. I used to have to swallow some foul tasting, white powder called Rensop, which made me feel ill for hours, and take pills called Tedral, which made me shake. The aspaxadrine pump, which I used daily, will bring back memories for most asthmatics over 40. This device was a rather complicated affair made of glass and rubber; you poured a solution into it and squeezed the rubber handle to make a vapour. Again, this solution was a real shake-maker.When 1 was really bad, I was put on to quite long courses of steroids. I was on and off steroids for about eight years, and fortunately I did not suffer many side effects. I do have thin skin and bruise very easily now, which my doctor told me is a legacy of the amount of steroids I had to take.I was one of those weedy, sickly children who are usually portrayed in fiction as the teacher’s pet. In fact I barely knew any teachers, because I was bedridden for months at a time, propped up on pillows and wheezing more or less constantly. I missed a lot of school and while I had a good general knowledge, it was always a battle to try and keep up with my class. I was a determined child and I sat for and obtained my HSC with the same group I started out with 12 years previously. My school friends remember me as the classmate who was never there and recall they had to pray for my recovery during the times I was particularly unwell. I gather my parents were told by doctors I would be lucky to survive to adulthood.Most of my early memories are coloured by my chronic asthma. Looking back, I realize how awful it must have been for my parents and the rest of the family. My illness certainly curtailed family activities. Unless my grandparents could look after me, one of my parents always had to stay home, while the other one went out with my brothers and sister. If I was well enough to go out, we could not visit people who had cats ot lived in dusty, old houses. On one memorable occasion, when I was taken to afternoon tea in Canberra at the home of the Leader of the Federal Opposition, Dr Evatt, I disrupted the whole afternoon by having a massive asthma attack after sitting on a couch that was usually occupied by the family cat.I had scratch tests on my arm and was allergic to nearly everything. From about the age of five until I was 13, I had constant respiratory infections, contracted pneumonia a number of times and coughed incessantly. I remember finding life very tiring. I would often sit up half the night wheezing and coughing and then doze on and off during the day. I had no appetite and was very underweight. My father would try and help me put on weight by giving me glasses of Guinness Stout. I was quite partial to the stout until one day it arrived with a raw egg beaten into it, to try to get some nourishment into me. It was the most disgusting brew I have ever tasted and I still get goose pimples when I think of it.I kept waiting to grow out of asthma. People kept telling me I would. The years passed and the wheezing lessened, but did not go away. The aspaxadrine was replaced by a medihaler, which was replaced by Ventolin. By now I was an expert on asthma medication. At least Ventolin did not make me shake or tremble. I tried swimming at the baths, but I continually picked up ear and throat infections. I tried walking in the early morning, but the cold air would make me cough. So I swam in private pools and walked later in the day. I also bought a bike. I took up yoga, and tried meditation. All these activities helped make me stronger, but the asthma stayed with me. When I turned 20 and was still a chronic asthmatic, I decided I might have to learn to live with it for life. This was not a negative reaction, but rather a positive realization. I decided to beat asthma at its own game.And I have. I am still classified as a chronic asthmatic, but I describe myself as a controlled asthmatic. I do have the occasional lapse, but overall I stick to a fairly strict program and have done so for many years. I look after myself by eating a balanced diet, staying slim, exercising regularly, getting enough rest and avoiding as many asthma triggers as possible. I think I have increased my resistance to infection, which is one of my major triggers. In the past I would be hospitalized two or three times a year with asthma. I have not been to hospital for some years now except for a period last year when I had pneumonia.Until a few months ago I used Ventolin at least four to ten times a day. I have reduced this substantially since I have started on Becotide regularly. I will probably have to stay on Becotide for the rest of my life, but I have not had to use Ventolin for weeks, not even when I had a bad cold. I use my peak flow meter twice a day. I never miss testing my lung function by this simple and easy method. So far my peak flow reading has not gone down since I reduced the Ventolin dosage.I would like my experiences with asthma to serve as sources of encouragement for other asthmatics. I have been able to lead a full and active life, which has included two children and a career as a journalist. My emotional attitude toward my asthma is good; when I do become ill, I no longer see it as the end of the world. I don’t force myself to go on as I used to in the past. I increase my medication if necessary, rest, drink lots of liquid and avoid stressful situations whenever possible. (Obviously this is not always possible, and I have to admit that stress exacerbates my asthma.)It may have taken a long time, but I now apply common sense to coping with asthma. I see my asthma as a constantly lurking enemy, but an enemy who will never win the battle.*55\148\2*
As remarkable as bovine collagen is, however, it docs have its disadvantages. The possibility of an allergic reaction, however small, still means that some people cannot use it. Also, once injected, the body quickly breaks it down and in three to six months most of the effect will have disappeared. It’s easy to see how collagen injections can add up to one expensive quick fix!Not surprisingly, attempts have been made to discover the ‘perfect’ filler and this endeavour has proved to be as challenging as finding the fountain of youth itself. Such a filler would have to satisfy a Long list of requirements to be classified as perfect. It should be long lasting, look natural, be derived from a material that doesn’t pose a risk of an allergic reaction and be easy to administer. Currently, there are a lot of promising options that meet many of these requirements, but not every single one. We will be examining these options in this chapter, as well as presenting what you can expect to see in the very near future.*60\82\8*