Alcoholic Prejudice is the reason that many problem drinkers cannot recognise the problems they are causing themselves and others.
Only when non-alcoholics empathise with people who are problem drinkers will the problems caused by alcohol be permanently reduced.
Alcohol and Drug Courts
Only when court systems accepts that alcoholics are very sick people, who need help rather than a conviction, will recidivist drink driving be reduced.
Empathetic Judges in NZ speak out:
- A judge who empathises with alcoholics speaks out about the need for a different approach to alcoholic offenders. (NZ Herald (1 Nov, 2012) - Judges: Drug and alcohol court will save lives)
- Along with West Auckland’s Waitakere District Court judge, Lisa Tremewan, Judge Aitken has established The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court pilot. The pair is making it their mission to introduce a better system of rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addicts awaiting a prison sentence. (AA Directions (2017): Judge Ema Aitken, The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court)
Binge-Drinking Tetraplegic speaks out
Don't do what I did
A binge drinker describes how his repeated binge drinking and drink driving permanently handicapped him. Only when society accepts that binge drinking is a form of alcoholism will binge drinking behaviour become not-so-cool to those who practice it.
Addicted Alcoholic Tries to dry out
TV3 shows a chronically addicted alcoholic's attempt to detox, and her subsequent relapse. Only when society accepts that alcoholics are powerless over alcohol will problem drinkers feel comfortable accepting that they are alcoholic and need help.