Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / April 18, 1985, edition 1 / Page 11
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omen And Alcoholism Phyllis uni00, a counselor at the Rehabilitation Center in , says that of the 45,000 with drinking problems who treated by the state last year, percent were women. “Before, alcoholism was only [associated with men-the idea that a woman could be an alcoholic was unheard of," she pointed out. "Now that women have become more autonomous they are under more pressure and have many more conflicts that might cause them to abuse alcohol." [Because female alcoholics were considered social outcasts, many women never sought help for their addictions, Grubb said. However, during the movement for indepen dence more women have realized the need for treatment of diseases and problems, including alcoholism. She said that the difficulty of ob taining treatment for female alco holics is increased by the differenc es in treating men and women. Until recently, most of the research and treatment has been centered around '■mm _. Alcoholism in women is also hard er to recognize due to varied drink ing patterns, social attitudes, and consumption rates, Grubb noted. Women have difficulty seeking treatment because they often have families to care for, whereas men have a greats' degree of inde pendence. She added that today’s profile of a female alcoholic is of a young, divorced parent with two to three children, no skills, and little edu cation. ‘‘These women have more to lose than their male counterparts,” Grubb emphasized. “If a woman needs help for a long period of time she will need child care, but she probably can’t afford it. However, if the problem becomes too serious she risks losing her family altogether.” Grubb said that as women have become independent, society’s atti tudes towards women and drinking have changed. Now alcohol is much more accessible. Bars have happy hours for female customers, and professional women might have a martini lunch along with their male counterparts. “Alcohol is no longer a man’s drink and therefore the problems tfjat it causes are no longer just men’s problems,” she said. “How ever, most of the treatment has been centered around men.” North Carolina is attempting to help alcoholic women by providing Second in series then. She holds a masters degree in education, swims every day and plays tennis several times a week. “I started drinking when I was 20 years old and it got progressive ly worse,” she said. “My job in volved a lot of traveling and it was then that I started abusing alcohol.” Cparks said that her friends urged her to get help, but as many other alcoholics would agree, onfe can only be helped when he or she is ready to admit that there is a problem. “I finally realized that the problem did not lie in external factors, but that I was unhappy with myself,” she stated. “I realized that I was hooked and I wanted to change. The ARC provided counseling and under standing, and helped me change my old habits." Sparks said she decided to be come involved in the treatment of women alcoholics because she realized the special problems that they faced. “Women have always been the mothers and wives--the protecting elements-no one wants to believe that they, too, can be al coholics,” she said. “Because this attitude is changing, more women are coming out of the closets with their problems, but there aren’t enough treatment facilities. That's why I got Involved.’’_ Orange-Person-Chatham Residen tial Treatment Center houses nine women and uses many forms of treatment for its clients. They attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and receive counseling from the local mental health center. The house is staffed by two coun selors, including Sparks, and a cook. The program has a 75 percent success rate, and they hope to create room for up to 15 clients in the future. “The clients have included a physician, a Duke graduate, and a person with two masters degrees, which illustrates the fact that al cohlics don’t belong solely to the lower class,” she said. Grubb said that until 1980 North Carolina had been a leader in treat ing the problems of women alco holics, but that programs were cut back due to reductions in federal funds. “We have room for 18 women here at the Butner ARC, but it is not enough,” she emphasized. “There is an even greater need for support within communities so that women do not have to leave their jobs and families to seek treatment. Many communities have organiza-' tions that deal with alcohol-related problems that women can partici pate in, such as AA and Al-Anon, and women need to realize that it is okay to seek help.” I—~ .... ' f WGIV C HARLOTTES HI AC h ZTTTUSniisER Churches in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area really showed their Christian love for their neighbors during WGIV’s recent Mountain of Food Drive. Churches were asked to donate canned goods and non-perishable food items for the needy in the area. The church that donated the most canned goods was Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church of Concord. Members reported in with 2.680 cans of food. The church received an organ valued at 53.000 from Dark Krothai-E Plann an«l Organ Company. Second place went to Reeder Memorial Baptist Church of Charlotte with 900 cans of food. WGIV (1600 AM) station manager, Cal Thornton, was pleased with the success of this year’s Mountain of F ood Drive. Now hundreds of families will receive the food through the Loaves and Fishes Program. Above, WGIV representatives and Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church L'.S. members, Theodora Jackson. Martha Moore, Julia McCauley, and George Moore, smile ^ proudly at the success of the food drive. Black Business Losing Market? Special To TW Post >& Although black-owned businesses are-expanding in sales and profits, they are falling behind in the mar ketplace, in part because of intense competition for the black consum er’s dollar, according to Dr. An drew F. Brimmer, a member of the Black Enterprise magazine's board of economists. In 1977 (the last year for which Census Bureau data are available), receipts of black-owned businesses were $8.6 billion, or 0.32 percent of all U.S. Sales. Brimmer, president of the Washington, D.C.-based con sulting firm of Brimmer & Com pany, Inc. and a former member of the Federal Reserve's board of go vernors, estimates sales for 1984 at $12.8 billion, but only 0.26 percent of all U.S. Sales. And while he esti mates 1985 sales at $13.3 billion, that will represent a decline to 0.25 percent of U.S. sales he explains in a feature story in the April issue of Black Enterprise. The decline in market share on the part of black-owned businesses ex tends to the black community itself, says Brimmer In 1969, the receipts of black businesses represented 13.5 percent of the money income re ceived by the black community, but in 1984 that proportion dropped to seven percent and is expected to drop to 6.6 percent this year. Women’s Studies Who do you talk to when you've 1 read a good book that really grabs you? WomanReach is offering a six week seminar on “Women's Stu dies: Literary Discussion Group” at the WomanReach Center, April 24, Wednesday, from 10:30 a m. until noon, facilitated by Jane Grau. For more information and to re- i gister, call a WomanReach peer counselor, Monday through Sa turday, from 10 am. until 4 p.m., at j 334-3614. All women are welcome at Wo- ! manReach where all services are I free. A United Way agency. Wo- ! manReach facilities are handi- | capped accessible SUBSCRIBE TO ^THE } POST ✓\ THE BEST THIISG TO HAPPE!\ TO (HARLOTTE-^^ ■—■— w NEVER A CARE ^ Never Paint Again v' Easy Tilt — In Cleaning J Be secure - Six separate locks ^ Save money - 30% energy savings Receive 1 window froo with pure ha so of 4 Free Estimates — 100% Financing ni|| Door to first 10 Call 568*4900 * space ai uie siaie aiconoi rena Di lution centers and by providing treatment through its network of 150 alcohol and drug programs across the state. Most of these services are provided through local mental health centers and are staffed by professional substance abuse coun selors. In addition, more programs are being formed that are geared to wards women’s needs, including support groups and halfway houses. For example, the Orange-Person Chatham Residential Treatment Center in Chapel Hill is a halfway house that serves as a transitory facility for women returning from the ARC to the community. It is a six-month program that is designed to ease the transition of each wo man back into society. Dot Sparks is director of the center. The 56 year old Sparks is a re covered alcoholic who was treated several times at the ARC in But ner. She took her last drink 10 years ago and has remained sober since SCSC Awards Banqnrt The Charlotte Chapter of South Carolina State College National - Alumni Association will have its Annual Awards Banquet and Scho larship Fund Drive April 36 at McDonald’s Chfeteria. Hors d’oeuvres- 7 p.m. Dinner -'7:45 p.m. •' Cost to the banquet is 610 per person. Dr. Joann Boyd, Title III co ordinator and director of special academic programs, will be the featured speaker. Special guests will Include SCSC student Pamela Harp er, soloist and the SCSC Jazz Band. Paintings by local artist Louis Moss, SCSC *75 will also be exhi bited. For ticket information, call 302-1237, 536-0614 or contact any SCSC alumni. ’ * i»eorge winter son is president oi the Charlotte Chapter, Mrs. Rose ft. Dannelly is chairperson of the ban quet and WilHam Blakeney and Curtis Stevens are chairpersons of the Scholarship Fund Drive. ___ J^ _ READ THE POSTI uoodyear Auto Tire And Every Pickup And Van Tire In Stock. QUICK CREDIT! Credit card convenience from Citibank for all your automotive needs. Pick up an application now at your nearby Goodyear retailed Use The Silver Card nationwide at any participating Goodyear retail outlet You may 6,,o,M* c*"° —_ . -
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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April 18, 1985, edition 1
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