Page 164 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

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TO EMPLOYERS 143
over a spree, a certain amount of physical treatment
is desirable, even imperative. The matter of physical
treatment should, of course, be referred to your
own doctor. Whatever the method, its object is to
thoroughly clear mind and body of the effects of alco­
hol. In competent hands, this seldom takes long nor
is it very expensive. Your man will fare better if
placed in such physical condition that he can think
straight and no longer craves liquor. If you propose
such a procedure to him, it may be necessary to ad­
vance the cost of treatment, but we believe it should
be made plain that any expense will later be deducted
from his pay. It is better for him to feel fully respon­
sible.
If your man accepts your offer, it should be pointed
out that physical treatment is but a small part of the
picture. Though you are providing him with the best
possible medical attention, he should understand that
he must undergo a change of heart. To get over drink­
ing will require a transformation of thought and atti­
tude. We all had to place recovery above everything,
for without recovery we would have lost both home
and business.
Can you have every confidence in his ability to
recover? While on the subject of confidence, can you
adopt the attitude that so far as you are concerned
this will be a strictly personal matter, that his alco­
holic derelictions, the treatment about to be under­
taken, will never be discussed without his consent?
It might be well to have a long chat with him on his
return.
To return to the subject matter of this book: It con­
tains full suggestions by which the employee may