I didn't know that AFR could handle that much Italian-American chatter (Dr. Rossi and I share some ethnic roots) without melting the microphones, but somehow we managed to get through the evening without damaging the equipment:
Nevertheless, I think it went rather well. Dr. Rossi and I have not spoken since I graduated from SVOTS in 2001, and so it was an interesting experience to say the least. He has a lot of good information, being a clinician and in the thick of things at St. Vladimir's.
I'm also very glad he addressed the topic of addiction in the seminaries, because it really is as big of a problem in the schools as it is in the general public, though the repercussions are often far more painful and embarrassing. Most people expect clergy to somehow be more Christian than themselves, and when a clergyman fails, it somehow disproves the Gospel and the reality of the Christian message.
The Christian message is not 'perfection' but forgiveness. It is about how only God can save us, because our self will is insufficient. The funny thing is that the same people who complain about clergy being imperfect also whine about how out-of-touch clergy are and how they do not understand how 'normal' people live.
If you want to understand people, you have to join in their defeats as well as their victories. When you demand perfection from your clergy, don't expect them to be empathetic. They will never understand your pain. They will only pity you, and pity is one of the most dehumanizing experiences one can be on the receiving end of.
Anyway, I hope people find it helpful. Depending on the feedback, AFR might do more broadcasts on this topic.
I found it very helpful. One question I had that I didn't hear addressed was the difference between alcohol addiction and alcohol dependency. What is the difference? Another question was regarding the wine Jesus drank: wouldn't it have been less alcoholic that what is sold now? I would have called in except that I didn't know it was airing last night and just listened to it this morning. Thank you for your time and any answers you may have.
ReplyDeleteGlad this was helpful. I think the essence of the difference is that 'dependence' these days usually refers to the physical need of the body for alcohol, whereas addiction refers to the mental/spiritual disease. As for wine in Christ's time, it was actually the same (there is no difference between the action of yeast in the 1st century versus now), though often cut with water to stretch out the supply, as well as disinfect possibly contaminated water. So, even to this day wine is added to children's drinking water at meals in places like Italy and France.
DeleteThank you for your explanation, Father.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, it depends completely on the context that these terms are used and the images of these terms that the person using them has acquired during their experience. For example, if a professional provider such as myself were to use the word "dependence" chances are good that that professional would be using the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) definition of that term. This would be a very technical and precise use of this term that has 7 criteria, three of which the individual must exhibit to have the formal diagnosis of "dependence" (no matter what the chemical it happened to be). The confusing part in all of this, especially for alcohol, is that many individuals could meet three of the criteria but not really be "dependent" as many individuals might imagination from their own images of that term. Also, again, for example, I like to discuss very precisely with my clients the term "alcoholism," a term which is not, incidentally, found in the DSM. Therefore, I tell clients one could get together 50 professional addictions counselors and there would probably be at least 10 different definitions of "alcoholism." I won't argue with other professionals about their own definition of "alcoholism" but I make aware to my clients what model of "alcoholism" I use, which is the Medical Model definition of alcoholism used by the professional research community. This definition has its foundation in modern research in genetics which has now scientifically estalished the fact of genetic inheritance of alcoholism characterized by a biological component that progresses, which progression can vary enormously from one person to the next, just like, for example, genetically affected types of cancer. Therefore, using the DSM definition of "dependence" and the person having met three of the seven criteria, could very well not have "alcoholism" as I define it from the Medical Model. The new DSM coming out this year has made substantial changes to this which I yet need to bone up on. For most people on the street, Jennifer, very likely the terms "dependence" and "addiction" are probably interchangeable.
DeleteI listened to this discussion on iTunes yesterday, and found it to be very insightful. While I prefer to stay an addict rather than attempt recovery again, something made me stop and reflect.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to have people willing to discuss addiction openly and honestly, instead of pretending it doesn't exist.
You and Dr Rossi did an excellent job! Many thanks for an illumining evening!
ReplyDeleteJust listened to the podcast on AFR with you and Dr. Rossi. I'm so appreciative of this getting out to the Orthodox public at large. I didn't expect at all that this would come up as a topic on Kevin Allen's show. Thanks so much for so expertly representing our profession to the Orthodox world. There was so much there that I overwhelmingly agreed with. Just a couple of things: I loved your repeat referrals to fear throughout the presentation, Fr. George. I specialize in the applications of insight into character structure in working with AODA clients. By far and away the character structure overwhelmingly represented in treatment populations is the structure that is "engineered" by the passion of fear. Perhaps we could discuss this sometime in the future. Much thanks for this accurate emphasis. Regarding patron saints there are several going about in certain Orthodox communities. St. Martin of Tours is sought for both mental health and AODA difficulties. St Naoum of Ohrid, one of the prominent disciples of Cyril and Methodius, is the main saint for those seeking intercession for AODA. The icon is "The Seven Saints", Cyril and Methodius and their five prominent disciples. I can't tell you how these orginated within certain Orthodox communities. Of course, you are correct about the dearth of references to such things in the ancients. There certainly is no obvious references to these saints actually experiencing such difficulties in their lifetimes. Thanks so much again.
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