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Alcoholism and Mel Gibson
Sometimes, I wonder where certain expressions originate and one of them is "demon rum." I suppose it's because of all the pain and the personal and collective harm that has been perpetrated while someone was under the influence of alcohol. This drug, which is served to celebrate births, marriages, engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and so many other happy events has brought so much heartache when used to excess.
One of my professors once said, "The super ego is dissolvable in alcohol." The super ego, of course, is our control center which adheres to the rule of family and culture and helps us toe the line. When bathed in alcohol, the brain loses this control and, in response to this poisonous level of any alcoholic beverage, the demon runs loose.
Mel Gibson has a problem with alcohol abuse and, by his own admission, it has gone on for much of his adult life. It has caused him and his family difficulty, but recently, it unleashed the worst demon of all, verbalized hatred and bigotry aimed at those of the Jewish faith. The fact that we are in a time of spreading warfare in the Middle East and violence against Jewish places of worship and individuals here in the United States makes his remarks all the more incendiary.
Mr. Gibson is now apologizing for his remarks and wants to meet with members of the Jewish community to rebuild bridges. His first task, however, must be to build a bridge for himself that allows him to avoid the abyss of alcoholism and this he must know will be a daunting task.
What do we know of alcoholism? Many alcoholics suffer from depression, anxiety and insecurity. Alcohol is a mild anxiolytic, but when used excessively, it promotes depression, insomnia and poor physical health in addition, in chronic cases, to certain types of dementia, seizure and a most unpleasant death.
We all wish him well in his recovery and remain thankful that no car or pedestrian crossed his path that night on those winding Malibu roads he took at 85 mph while legally drunk. He has been given another chance.
Related Topics: Americans Drinking Alcohol More Often, Anxiety Linked with Alcoholism Relapse
Technorati Tags: Mel Gibson, alcoholism
One of my professors once said, "The super ego is dissolvable in alcohol." The super ego, of course, is our control center which adheres to the rule of family and culture and helps us toe the line. When bathed in alcohol, the brain loses this control and, in response to this poisonous level of any alcoholic beverage, the demon runs loose.
Mel Gibson has a problem with alcohol abuse and, by his own admission, it has gone on for much of his adult life. It has caused him and his family difficulty, but recently, it unleashed the worst demon of all, verbalized hatred and bigotry aimed at those of the Jewish faith. The fact that we are in a time of spreading warfare in the Middle East and violence against Jewish places of worship and individuals here in the United States makes his remarks all the more incendiary.
Mr. Gibson is now apologizing for his remarks and wants to meet with members of the Jewish community to rebuild bridges. His first task, however, must be to build a bridge for himself that allows him to avoid the abyss of alcoholism and this he must know will be a daunting task.
What do we know of alcoholism? Many alcoholics suffer from depression, anxiety and insecurity. Alcohol is a mild anxiolytic, but when used excessively, it promotes depression, insomnia and poor physical health in addition, in chronic cases, to certain types of dementia, seizure and a most unpleasant death.
We all wish him well in his recovery and remain thankful that no car or pedestrian crossed his path that night on those winding Malibu roads he took at 85 mph while legally drunk. He has been given another chance.
Related Topics: Americans Drinking Alcohol More Often, Anxiety Linked with Alcoholism Relapse
Technorati Tags: Mel Gibson, alcoholism
