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

Doug Thorburn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

For those who may have alcoholics in their personal or professional lives, this book describes the indicators of alcoholism, many of which seem too subtle and innocuous to suggest addiction. Listing more than 80 alcoholic forms of behavior and clues, such as the supreme-being complex and mental confusion, this guide links physical signs and behavioral changes to the various stages, explaining the brain chemistry that impels the afflicted person to drink addictively and act destructively. A compelling case for awareness and identification of alcohol-related symptoms and an attempt to avoid tragic and unsatisfactory events and outcomes, this behavioral examination is supplemented with endnotes, a bibliography, and recommendations for courses of action. The research conducted for this book incorporated extensive interviews with medical professionals and hundreds of recovering alcoholics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Doug Thorburn provides continuing education for the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators and is the president and founder of the PrevenTragedy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public on the importance of early identification of alcoholism. He lives in Northridge, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Galt Publishing (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967578868
• ISBN-13: 978-0967578866
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a tax (Enrolled Agent) and financial (Certified Financial Planner-licensee) professional who became involved with an alcohol and other-drug addict in the early '90s. I barely survived the ordeal. Vowing "never again," I decided to learn everything possible about addiction. What I discovered was fascinating, empowering and designed to protect more than just me (alcoholism causes misbehaviors and if we observe such poor behaviors, there is likely addiction). Over the years, my role has evolved to addiction "researcher" who serves as a bridge for information about addiction between the few who "get it" and the mass of people who've never been introduced to the ideas.

You can find the results of my research in my books and online addiction report. The latest, "Alcoholism Myths and Realities," debunks the myths of addiction and eliminates the stigma of alcohol and other-drug addiction. Eliminate that stigma and we are far more likely to identify the disease when it threatens our health and safety, which is what my third book, "How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics," is all about (it uses behavioral clues to identify addiction in the early stages of the disease). My second book, "Get Out of the Way!" helps drivers spot likely DUIs before they become tragically obvious (you'll never again look at the road the same way). My first book, many readers of which think is my most important, is "Drunks, Drugs & Debits," and while focusing on identifying addicts in the hope of avoiding financial abuse, is actually a comprehensive look at addiction designed to give a "gut feel" for the disease. Read it cover to cover and you'll never again knowingly enable a practicing addict.

I'm very proud that a google search of "early-stage alcoholism" generally lists me in the top two or three positions, which shows how few are focusing on this overlooked stage of addiction, when the addict is most destructive of others.

For those who know personality type, I'm a scientifically-minded INTJ married to Marty, an inventive ENTP. We live in Northridge, California with our three cats, Tuxeda, Whiskers and Marmalade.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn how to recognize early signs of alcoholism, May 2, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics: Using Behavioral Clues to Recognize Addiction in Its Early Stages (Paperback)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There IS a solution, June 23, 2006

By 

Sinistar (Canton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics: Using Behavioral Clues to Recognize Addiction in Its Early Stages (Paperback)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Insights, excellent points that helped this recovered alcoholic, June 21, 2006

By 

Arthur M. Jackson (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Spot Hidden Alcoholics: Using Behavioral Clues to Recognize Addiction in Its Early Stages (Paperback)

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