Japan hospital’s glass half-full approach helping alcoholics quit

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1. As an alcoholic myself, I support anyone trying to help others live a live free from alcohol. I’m not so sure about whether trying to live a life by drinking less is feasible. In general, most alcoholics have tried multiple times to cut back. But in the end, they are back to drinking just as much as before, if not more. If someone could just drink less, then I’m not sure we would consider them an alcoholic.It is true that Japan considers alcoholism a mental illness. When I first sobered up, I also checked into a mental institution. I was dead scared and ashamed at first. But everyone on my floor were addicts of something, alcohol, drugs, shopping, etc. Alcohol was the most popular addiction at the time, but now I hear that the majority are gambling addicts as that was recently approved as a mental illness.

   I never felt judged by the doctors at the mental institution. The were legitimately trying to help us get back on our feet and back into society. But I found much more support from AA members in Japan as they just knew from real experience what I had been through.

   I am more than 20 years sober now. I’ll never drink again. But I encourage anyone struggling to seek support. And don’t dismiss the mental institutions. As it is considered a mental illness, if you have health insurance, it will pay for your stay there.