How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics: Using Behavioral Clues to Recognize Addiction in Its Early Stages

Doug Thorburn provides vital information for all of us, in this eye-opening, fascinating book. It is the book I wish I'd had years ago when I was dealing with alcoholism, and didn't even know it. It might have saved me years of anguish, mental, emotional, and physical illness, and the loss of thousands upon thousands of dollars. As we live in a drinking culture, everyone can greatly benefit from the knowledge Thorburn provides. In the introduction (p.1) he notes that one of the surprising things about alcoholism is how little experts know, even today. The definition they have agreed upon fails to describe the affliction in its early stages. Some important points are: 1). The current practice of identifying alcoholism is comparable to waiting till tumors become the size of basketballs before diagnosing cancer. 2). Almost every alcoholic shows signs of the disease years or even decades before it progresses into latter-stage alcoholism, when chances for recovery are reduced. 3). Alcoholics are, usually, intrinsically decent people. 4). The earlier in the career of the alcoholic that private or legal sanctions are applied, the greater the chance of a return to normalcy. 5). Becoming clean and sober requires the imposition of responsibility and appropriate consequences. The effects of alcoholism are mind-boggling. One alcoholism authority (p.88) estimates that 50% to 70% of all divorces involve alcoholism. The divorces are, in part, due to the alcoholic's propensity to create financial problems, as well as engage in domestic violence as well as non-physical abuse. They are also often caused by the great tendency in addicts to commit adultery. Caroline Knapp (p.90) points out that "anonymous sex gives the illusion of intimacy with none of the attendant risks, none of the aching vulnerability of sober sex". These are just some of the hard truths that Thorburn relates. You will learn about the many early stage clues that will help alert you to the problem. There are many ways to protect yourself and help the addict too. Thorburn is to be commended for educating us about this horrendous illness that continues to detrimentally affect millions upon millions of lives. Unfortunately, it is a subject that is rarely taught in schools. Even physicians are highly uneducated about it. Alcoholism breaks hearts, wounds spirits, and kills. It is a scourge upon this earth, and we all need to wake up and become educated on the disease. Learn all you can from this expert; a man who once loved an alcoholic, and suffered the consequences. His passion for the subject is a gift to us all. Take advantage of what he has to offer. You'll be glad you did. Very highly recommended!

A while back on an online discussion forum, a young woman was talking about her awful experience which was the result of her romantic relationship with an alcoholic/other drug addict. She didn't want to repeat the same mistake and asked if anyone knew of a book that would help her discern people with this kind of problem before she got to involved again. Of course, there was the standard "there isn't a book." I quickly posted and recommended Doug Thorburn's excellent "How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics." This astounding text gives excellent advice on how to recognize the sickness of alcoholism and other drug addiction before you invest your time, heart, wallet and sanity into a potentially dangerous individual. I've seen it all. I grew up in a family shot through the disease of alcoholism, have been romantically involved with addicts, have lost many friends to the disease, and am a recovering alcoholic of 15 years myself. Thorburn correctly puts all the pieces of the puzzle together. If you think you might need this book, you do. Get it and protect yourself.

When I first saw the title, I was skeptical and worried that this book was a witch hunt for alcoholics. When I read the book, I was amazed, at first at how consistent many of Thorburn's insights were to my experience, and then at how it helped me see my own history of alcoholism. I have 4+ years sober and attend AA regularly. This book helped me see my old behavior from a new vantage point. I gained a new level of clarity of my own defects (Step 4) and it help me articulate many amends (Step 9) in a practical context. I understand the concern about credentials, but it doesn't really bother me. In my experience, and in talking with hundreds of recovered alcoholics, we were experts at hiding our addiction from the credentialed professionals. I wish more in the healthcare profession would read and at least consider Thorburn's points. I think Thorburn's point is that, since alcoholism is a progressive disease, and since the alcoholic tends to have increasing destructive behaviors, it is simple common sense to be on the lookout for traits of early alcoholics---not to condemn the drinker, but to protect one's self-interest. More importantly, if we can identify alcoholics earlier, we can take off our own blinders to their destructive behaviors, and stop enabling them. I, like most alcoholics, needed to hit bottom. I have learned that while we should not deprive an alcoholic of their bottom, if possible, we should try to raise their bottom, leading to an earlier and more likely successful recovery. This book, and Thorburn's Myths and Realities, is an excellent synthesis of ideas. He has kinda "reverse-engineered" the disease and helped me see this progressive, destructive, and fatal disease from a better vantage point. From what I have learned in this book, I have been better at talking to people sooner about their drinking, planting the seeds of recovery, so that if/when they experience consequences of their drinking, they can face the question of whether they have developed this disease. The beauty of alcoholism for me, as a recovered alcoholic, is that I have a peace and serenity that no expert could have provided... By the way, the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous were experts with NO credentials except observation and experience. I and millions of others are thankful for these non-experts who spoke up. WARNING--this book may be threatening to some active alcoholics rationalizing their addiction. Arthur M. Jackson, author Raise the Bottom: How to Keep Secret Alcoholics from Damaging your Business www.raisethebottom.com

Have you ever been in a relationship (business or personal) where the other person's behavior seems baffling? This book untangles and demystifies many of the behaviors which are conventionally explained through contrived, pseudo-psychological myths. Generally, if someone is determined to deceive you, he/she will succeed; however, there are some things he/she doesn't bother to hide because he/she is not even aware of them. In one instance, I avoided what would have been a disastrous business partnership. Another highly reputable lawyer in my field approached me about merging practices. In fact, I was flattered at the idea of affiliating with someone of his ability, talent and reputation. On the surface everything appeared excellent; I dismissed some of his odd behaviors as the eccentricities of genius. Fortunately, I had read this book and his "eccentricities" became perfectly clear. Within a year of my pulling out of the deal, his life started falling apart because of his inability to manage it (although, it still looked fine on the surface). I now know that he drinks in the morning, has seven scotch lunches and carries an extra suitcase on trips exclusively for liquor. Similarly, I avoided a personal relationship headed for tragedy. At first I didn't suspect that this seemingly well-put-together, ambitious workout fanatic had a drinking/drug problem. Just like the story above, she did. If you are confounded by someone's behavior, check-out this book. It is well-worth the time and money.

Author Doug Thorburn is not a medical doctor, nor does he have any psychological background that would make him an expert on alcoholics. However, after becoming involved with one he dedicated himself to studying the problem and with the help of several addiction experts has produced this fascinating book. One of the problems with alcoholism is that it has a tendency to not be diagnosed until it is too late and the person has ruined their health and their life. Doug takes the view that by recognizing the behavioral clues we can find the hidden alcoholic while there is still time to prevent tragedy. The book is divided into three distinct parts. First is a section that redefines alcoholism so that earlier diagnosis and prevention is possible. The second section is a detailed examination of the various clues that point to early-stage alcoholism. The last section discusses middle-stage clues and clues of multiple drug use. Many of the behavior items listed and detailed are indicative of addictive behavior in general and not necessarily just alcoholism. The primary value in this book is that it is the first one I have seen that is designed for the general public and focuses on the early signs of alcoholism. In fact, many of the professional level books do not deal with recognizing alcoholism at this early stage. "How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics" should be required reading for everyone and especially so for those who deal with counseling others whether in a professional, volunteer, or pastoral capacity.